Florida’s Bahia Honda State Park: Did I Die And Go To Heaven?

An island with so much splendor should be a sin. Turquoise water as clear as gin. Sprawling coconut palms with plump green fruit. Bleach white sand as soft as a baby’s skin. Watch the sun rise from the Atlantic Ocean and then set on the Gulf of Mexico from the same spot. The wonders of Bahia Honda State Park leave me in awe.

Located just south of Marathon and a little more than an hour north of Key West, Bahia Honda is accessible from the Overseas Highway (U.S. 1) at mile marker 37. The 500-acre park has some of the best beaches and snorkeling in the Florida Keys. Our group set up at Loggerhead Beach on the Atlantic Ocean. You can swim, fish, kayak or just relax under a beach umbrella. The water is spotted with dark patches of seagrass beds, rich food sources for sea creatures like turtles, urchins, crabs, conch, and fish. This is a dream location for snorkelers. The north end has more sand than any other beach in the Florida Keys. Much of the shoreline in this region has coral and limestone rock, so it can be a bit treacherous for swimmers entering the water.

Calusa Beach is just a short walk away on the other side of the island. Calusa’s shoreline faces Florida Bay, which connects to the Gulf of Mexico. This is a swimming only beach. Small covered pavilions dot this area with picnic benches and charcoal grills. There’s a concession stand and restaurant, where you can purchase souvenirs, beach items, camping provisions, and a variety of hot and cold menu items and drinks. Boaters have access to a public marina and water entry ramps. The restrooms and showers are easily accessible and impeccably clean.

For extended stays at Bahia Honda , there’s a campground accommodating large and small recreational vehicles. Six cabins are also available for rental that house up to six people each.

History buffs might enjoy exploring the Old Bahia Honda Bridge access area. The rusted bridge remnants are from the original railroad bridge funded and built by industrialist Henry Flagler.

The bridge connected rail travel between Miami and Key West over water and opened in 1912. The Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 all but wiped out the bridge and it was abandoned a short time later. The state of Florida bought the bridge and turned it into a highway. It eventually closed when the new Overseas Highway was built. Today the historic site is a favorite area for hikers, nature lovers, and photographers. Trails and footpaths lead to the top of the old bridge. Along the way you’ll see a variety of shorebirds, wading birds, plant species and butterflies. Photographers often frame the old bridge as a foreground to shoot sunsets, which are spectacular at Bahia Honda. It’s a quiet, less crowded, peaceful alternative to they Key West daily revelry of the Sunset Celebration.

Visit the Bahia Honda State Park website to learn more about the park’s amenities, accommodations, and fees.