Welcome to Bahia Honda State Park

Henry Flagler's railroad to Key West turned the remote island of Bahia Honda Key into a tropical destination. Today, the island is home to one of Florida's southernmost state parks, known for beautiful beaches, magnificent sunsets, and excellent snorkeling. Visitors can picnic on the beach and take a swim, or simply relax and enjoy the balmy sea breezes that caress the shores year-round. Anglers can fish from shore or bring a boat and launch at the boat ramp. The park's concession rents kayaks and snorkeling gear and offers boat trips to the reef for snorkeling excursions. Bahia Honda is an excellent place to see wading birds and shorebirds. The nature center can introduce nature lovers to the island's unique plants and animals. Full-facility campsites and vacation cabins are available. Located 12 miles south of Marathon.

Contact the Florida Park Service Information Center for general inquiries.
For Information about Bahia Honda State Park, please call 305-872-2353.

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Hours of Operation

Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year.

Driving Directions

Bahia Honda is located 12 mile south of Marathon on U.S. Highway 1.

Park Fees

Admission Fees:

$8.00* per vehicle. Limit 2-8 people per vehicle.

$2.00* Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass.

$4.00* Single-occupant vehicle or Motorcycle.

* Plus $.50 per person Monroe County Surcharge.

Boat Ramp Fee:

$10.00 per boat.

Camping Fees:

$36.00 per night, plus tax. Includes water and electricity.

Cabin Rental:

$120.00 per night, plus tax, May 1 – October 31.

$160.00 per night, plus tax, November 1 – April 30.

Pavilion Rental Fees:

$50.00 Full Day.

$30.00 Half Day.

Rental fee does not include park admission fee. Parking space is not guaranteed.

Activities at Bahia Honda State Park

	Beaches Bahia Honda has several white sandy beaches for you to enjoy. Calusa is the smallest beach; it is located on the northwest side of the island. There are several small pavilions in this area and a bathhouse with outdoor, fresh water showers. Loggerhead is the shallowest beach and is located on the south side of the island. It is known for the large shallow sand bar just a few feet offshore. It shares the same bathhouse with the Calusa beach. Sandspur is the largest beach; it is located on the southeast end of the island. There are three large pavilions in the Sandspur area and a bathhouse with outdoor, fresh water showers.
	Bicycling A popular pastime at the park, take a leisurely ride on the park’s 3 ½-mile paved road. For your safety, remember persons under the age of 16 years are required by state law to wear a properly fitting bike helmet. To preserve the natural areas of the park, bicycles are limited to roadways and are not permitted on footpaths, boardwalks or the trail that leads to the top of the Old Bahia Honda Bridge.
	Birding Bahia Honda is a very good place to see wading birds and shorebirds. There are shallow sand flats during low tide on the ocean side of the island where the birds feed and rest. A variety of shorebirds including Willets, Sanderlings, Ruddy Turnstones, Short-billed Dowitchers and Plovers may be seen along the shore feeding and resting. Several species of wading birds may be seen in the park as well. These include Great White Herons, Great Blue Herons, Tri-colored Herons, Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets and White Ibis. During the fall hawk migration, from mid-September to mid-November you will see a variety of hawks soaring overhead. The endangered White-crowned Pigeon can also be seen feeding and resting in the Poisonwood trees during the summer months. View/Print the Bahia Honda Bird List (PDF)
	Boat Ramp The park has two modern boat ramps located in the main marina. The controlling depth in the marina is 3 ½ feet. Nineteen boat slips are available for overnight rental and include water, electricity (30 amp) and full use of the park facilities (bathhouse, hot showers, trash disposal and sewage pump-out). Reservations are recommended. Call (305) 872-3210 or VHF Channel 16. The boat ramp fee is $10.00.
	Boat Tours The concession offers a snorkel tour that allows young and old alike to experience the breathtaking beauty of Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary. For more detailed information go to www.bahiahondapark.com
	Boating Boating is a very popular activity at Bahia Honda; boaters have access to the Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic Ocean.
	Cabins Three duplex cabins on stilts (5 units) are furnished with accommodations for up to a maximum of 6 people per cabin, 1 unit (Cabin #2) is accessible and has a lift and can accommodate 4 people. Each cabin is equipped with kitchen appliances, utensils and linens. Cabins 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 have central A/C and heat, 2 bedrooms, a living room w/ sofa bed, kitchen/dining room and full bath. Cabin #2 is accessible and has central A/C and heat, one bedroom, living room w/sofa bed, kitchen/dining room and full bath. Each cabin has a porch above and a wood deck on ground level with a picnic table and grill. The road to the cabins has a vehicle height restriction of 6’8”. Your vehicle has to be able to go under the new Bahia Honda Bridge. Reservations are required 11 months in advance during the winter months, weekends and holidays. For reservations, call 1-800-326-3521 or online www.reserveamerica.com. Cabin rentals are: Off-Season (May 1 - October 31) - $137.50; Season (November 1 - April 30) - $182.50 per night including taxes.
	Campfire Circle Nighttime Slide Presentation or Talk Fridays 8:00 p.m. (Sorry, this program is for overnight guests only) Join a park ranger at the outdoor amphitheater (campfire circle) located at the base of the trail to the Old Bahia Honda Bridge. Topics vary on local plants, animals or history. Programs will be held at the Nature Center during rain or high winds.
	Canoeing & Kayaking Safe and stable sit-on-top Ocean Kayaks are available for rent at the concession. You may also bring your own kayak or canoe and launch it from either Loggerhead parking lot on the ocean side or the boat ramp on the Gulf side. Enjoy a quiet, relaxing paddle in the waters around the park. Remember, for the safety of swimmers, kayaks and canoes are not permitted in designated buoyed swimming areas.
	Concessions Sandwiches, snacks, ice, t-shirts, souvenirs, snorkeling equipment and kayak rentals may be obtained at the concession. Limited grocery and marine supplies are also available. For further information call 305-872-3210 or online at www.bahiahondapark.com
	Facilities Bathhouses, with hot showers, are located in the Buttonwood and Sandspur campgrounds for registered campers only. For daytime visitors, bathhouses, with accessible cold outdoor showers, are located in Sandspur Day Use and Calusa Day Use areas.
	Fishing There are several good areas for fishing in the park. If you like to bottom fish for snapper or grouper, you can fish on either side of the Old Bahia Honda Bridge off the old sea walls. If you prefer fly-fishing for bonefish, permit or barracuda, you might try the shallow sand flats on the Atlantic side of the island. All fishing within the park must conform to the regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season. Spearfishing, possession of spearfishing equipment and collection of tropical fish (by any method) is prohibited within the park. The boundaries of the park extend out into the water 400 feet. Do you need a Fishing License?
	Full Facility Camping There are 3 different campgrounds in the park. Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance, the sites book quickly so make your plans well in advance. For reservations, please call Reserve America at 1-800-326-3521 or online at www.reserveamerica.com Buttonwood- (#1 - #48) This campground can accommodate a variety of camping rigs from a large RV to a small tent. The sites are more suitable for an RV or pop-up because they are gravel. The Buttonwood sites have very little shade and are the largest sites in the park. They all have electricity, water, a picnic table and grill. There is also a bathhouse with hot showers and a dump station for sewage. The waterfront sites in this area are #12 - #25, but keep in mind #12 and #13 are by the boat docks and #14 is on the channel coming into the boat docks. Sandspur- (#49 - #72) These sites are the most beautiful in the park but are very small and have low clearance. They are located in a very rare habitat called a hardwood hammock. Tents can fit on all of these sites and a few sites will accommodate small pop-ups. RVs are not permitted in this area, the sites are much too small. All of these sites have a picnic table, grill and water, #57 - #72 also have electricity. The waterfront sites in this area are #64 - #72. Bayside- (#73 - #80) This campground is the smallest with only 8 sites and no electricity. Bayside campground has a vehicle height restriction, like the cabins, of 6 feet 8 inches. Your vehicle has to be able to go under the New Bahia Honda Bridge. The sites have a picnic table, grill and water. There is a small bathhouse nearby with outside cold showers and no electricity. You are welcome to use the large bathhouse in the Buttonwood campground that is one-half mile away. Campsites are $43.00 per night including taxes. Maximum occupancy is 8 people per site; in 2 tents, or one RV and one tent.
	In-Line Skating Inline skating is permitted along the park’s 3-1/2 mile roadway.
	Interpretive Exhibit A variety of interpretive exhibits are located throughout the park providing information about local flora, fauna and history. The most current nature program schedules will also be posted in these exhibits. You can also visit our Sand and Sea Nature Center (PDF)
	Nature Trails The park has two nature trails. The Silver Palm Trail is located at the southeast end of the island in Sandspur and there is a self-guided brochure available. The other trail is located on the southwest end of the island in the Calusa area and leads you to the top of the Old Bahia Honda Bridge. Along the sides of the trail you may see several butterfly species. The view is spectacular; from the top of the bridge you can see the entire island. You have a bird’s-eye-view of the water below. You may see large rays or fish jumping. If the water is clear, you can see fish and sea turtles swimming beneath the surface. Silver Palm Nature Trail at Bahia Honda (PDF)
	Pavilion(s) The Sandspur area is located on the southeast end of the park and has 3 large pavilions with barbecue grills. One of the pavilions is available to rent. This pavilion includes 8 picnic tables and rents for $53.75 for a full day, tax included. Electric and water are not available. Please contact the ranger station at (305) 872-2353 for availability and reservations. The Calusa area is located on the northwest end of the island and has several small shelters with barbecue grills.
	Pet Camping Pets must be confined, leashed (not to exceed six feet in length) or otherwise under the physical control of a person at all times. Tethered pets must not be left unattended for more than 30 minutes. Quiet hours must be observed from 11:00 p.m. - 8:00 a.m. Pet owners must pick up after their pets and properly dispose of all pet droppings in trash receptacles. Florida law requires that pets be vaccinated against rabies. Any pet that is noisy, dangerous, intimidating or destructive will not be allowed to remain in the park. Non-furbearing pets, such as reptiles, birds, or fish must be confined or under the physical control of the owner. Some animals may be prohibited on park property. Failure to abide by these rules may result in the camper being asked to board the pet outside the park or to leave the campground.
	Pets Due to the small amount of land area at Bahia Honda, only limited accessibility is available for pets. Pets are not allowed in cabins, bathhouses, pavilions, the concession building, on beaches or in the water. In the limited areas where pets are permitted, they must be kept on a six-foot, hand-held leash and be well behaved at all times. Service/guide dogs, with proper certification, are welcome in all areas of the park.
	Picnicking There are several areas for picnicking in the park. The Sandspur area is located on the southeast end of the park and has 3 large pavilions with barbecue grills. One of the pavilions is available to rent. This pavilion includes 8 picnic tables and rents for $53.75 for a full day ($32.25 for half-day), tax included. Does not cover regular day use fees, parking spaces are not guaranteed if day use parking is full. Electric and water are not available. Please contact the ranger station at (305) 872-2353 for availability and reservations. The Calusa area is located on the northwest end of the island and has several small shelters with barbecue grills.
	RV Buttonwood- (#1 - #48) Buttonwood campground can accommodate a variety of camping rigs from a large RV to a small tent. The sites are more suitable for an RV or pop-up because they are gravel. The Buttonwood sites are the largest campsites in the park with vegetative buffers between sites that offer partial shade to some but not all sites. They all have 30 amp electrical service, potable water, a picnic table and charcoal grill. There is also a bathhouse with hot showers and a dump station for sewage. The waterfront sites in this area are #12 - #25, but keep in mind #12 and #13 are by the boat docks and #14 is on the channel coming into the boat docks. Maximum occupancy is 8 people per site; in 2 tents, or one RV and one tent.
	SCUBA Diving Permitted but not recommended for advanced divers because the water is shallow for several yards from shore. The shallow water does make it a good area for beginning divers and snorkelers. A Diver Down flag must be displayed.
	Showers Cold outdoor showers, for rinsing the saltwater off, are located near the beaches at the Sandspur and Calusa bathhouses and at the east end of Calusa Beach. Hot showers are available, for registered campers only, in the Sandspur and Buttonwood campgrounds. There is a cold outdoor shower for campers registered in the Bayside camping area and they can also use the hot showers in Buttonwood campground.
	Snorkeling Bahia Honda has some of the best nearshore snorkeling in the Florida Keys. You can see a variety of sea life just a few hundred feet from the shore. The snorkeling is good for beginners because it is shallow, 4-6 feet. You may see soft corals, small coral heads, tropical fish, Queen Conchs and spiny lobster. There is always something different to see. In the winter months, when the water is cooler, you may need a wetsuit to be comfortable. Just remember to take nothing but photos and leave nothing but ripples. View/Print the Snorkeling Guide to Marine Life of Bahia Honda Brochure (PDF)
	Swimming Visitors come from all over the world to enjoy the swimming at Bahia Honda. The water is usually clear, unless the wind picks up and the waves stir the sand up. The water temperature varies from the mid to upper eighties in the summer, to the mid to lower seventies in the winter (Fahrenheit). The water is shallow and the currents are very mild. The only area to avoid swimming in is near the Bahia Honda Channel since the currents can be very swift.
	Visitor Center The Sand and Sea Nature Center is open Thursday through Monday from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Special Events for Bahia Honda State Park

• 15TH ANNUAL EARTH DAY CELEBRATION
  Date: April 10, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
  
  Description: Bahia Honda State Park will be holding its 15th Annual Earth Day Celebration on April 10, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. There will be live music provided by local musicians. The local Moose Lodge, from Big Pine Key, will be cooking up some wonderful hot dogs, sloppy Joes and fixin’s for the event. Admission to the park is free (come early, parking is limited).
  
  Activities will include: face painting, a puppet show, fish printing and a sand sculpture contest.
  
  The Save-a-Turtle organization will co-host the event, and have several activities and displays. They will also be selling raffle tickets to raise money for sea turtle research. There will be environmental exhibits and booths, marine life touch tanks and children’s activities. The Florida Keys Astronomy Club will set up telescopes with a special lens for viewing the sun. For more information, please call the Bahia Honda Sand and Sea Nature Center at (305) 872-9807.
  Fees: Free park admission
  Contact: (305) 872-9807
  
  

Bahia Honda State Park Ranger Programs

• SAND AND SEA NATURE CENTER
  Thursday-Monday, 9 AM - 5 PM (Closed for lunch, 12-1 PM)
  Free with park admission. Visit our Nature Center, on the Gulf side of the Old Bridge, to learn more about the park. We have a sea life display, a small marine aquarium and several environmental activities to explore. Ask about our Junior Ranger Program for the kids. Or, just cool off in the air conditioning and watch a nature video! Park staff will be available to answer your questions. Dates and times subject to change.
  
  Call (305) 872-9807 for more details.
• BEACH NATURE WALK
  November, Tuesdays at 9:00 AM
  Meet with a Park Ranger at Loggerhead Beach by the kayaks to start an informative walk. Learn about the wrackline, birds, butterflies and unique plants. Bring binoculars (if you have them) and wear old shoes that can get wet and sandy. (Limited to 15 people, sign up at Ranger Station)
  
  Participation Requirements
  
  Call (305) 872-9807 for more details.
• ILLUSTRATED TALKS
  November, Fridays at 1:00 PM
  Join a park ranger at the Sand and Sea Nature Center for an illustrated talk. Topics will include information on Florida Keys' history, plants or animals. Seating is limited to 30.
  
  Participation Requirements
  
  Call (305) 872-9807 for more details.
• NATURE AND HISTORY QUEST
  Thursday-Monday, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  Learn more about the park by taking a self-guided walk at the west end of Bahia Honda. Your ‘quest’ will take you through six learning stations, for a total distance of about a ½-mile. Visit the Sand and Sea Nature Center to get started on your learning adventure. Fun for all ages!
  
  Call (305) 872-9807 for more details.

Frequently Asked Questions about Bahia Honda State Park

Question: Are reservations required for camping and cabins?
Answer: Reservations are required during the busy season, weekends and holidays because 90% of our sites are reserved. It is suggested you make reservations up to 11 months in advance but no less than two days in advance. A few sites are set aside for first-come, first-served. All of the cabins may be reserved.

Question: Are pets allowed in the park?
Answer: Pets are permitted in overnight areas, but not on the beaches, in the picnic areas or concession area. Service animals are welcome in all areas of the park.

Question: Do you have waterfront campsites?
Answer: We have a few sites on the water for RV’s but they are not on the beach. The only beachfront sites are limited to tents or pop-ups, and we only have a few of those.

Question: Are there weekly or monthly rates for camping or the cabins?
Answer: There are no weekly or monthly rates at the park. The maximum stay is 14 nights.

Question: Does the park have a swimming pool?
Answer: No. However, we have almost 3 miles of beautiful Atlantic beachfront for swimming.

Question: Are the cabins on the beach?
Answer: The cabins overlook a boating basin that opens out into the Gulf of Mexico. The basin drops down 30 feet. Swimming and snorkeling are not permitted in this area of the park.

Question: If the park closes at sunset, how do I get in or out of the park if I am camping?
Answer: When you register to camp, you are given the combination to the gate lock.

Question: Do campsites have sewer hook-ups?
Answer: Individual campsites do not have sewer hook-ups. There is a centralized dump station in the Buttonwood Campground.

Question: What is included on each campsite?
Answer: Each campsite has a picnic table, a grill, a freshwater spigot and electricity, if requested.

Bahia Honda State Park History

Bahia Honda State Park Volunteer Information

Do you love snorkeling, diving and fishing in crystal clear waters? Or, do you enjoy sunbathing on a beautiful beach? Then you may want to become a volunteer at Bahia Honda State Park in the fabulous Florida Keys.

We accept volunteer applications no more than 12-13 months in advance. Starting in April of 2009, we will have a volunteer site available in our Sandspur Campground. Volunteers in this area must be camping in a van, popup or small truck camper. The site is small and has 30amp electric not 50amp.

Keep in mind that volunteer positions are in high demand at the park. The required stay is 8 weeks and you receive a free campsite in exchange for volunteer hours. The sites have electric (50amp), water, picnic table and a grill. There is also a dump station for sewage. Volunteers at the park perform a variety of tasks; bathroom cleaning, litter pick-up, maintenance and repair projects. We try to match your skills and interests to the job.

If you are interested, please contact Monay Markey at the Sand and Sea Nature Center (305) 872-9807 or e-mail monay.markey@dep.state.fl.us.

Visit the Main Volunteer page for information on volunteering in Florida State Parks

Visit the Main Volunteer page at http://www.floridastateparks.org/volunteers/default.cfm for more detailed Information

Bahia Honda State Park

36850 Overseas Hwy.
Big Pine Key, Florida 33043
Phone: 305-872-2353
Fax: Contact Park for Number

Visitor Service Provider

Coral Reef Park Company
36850 Overseas Highway
Big Pine Key, FL 33043
(305) 872-3210
Bahia Honda Division of Coral Reef Park Company