An island in the Florida Keys called Bahia Honda State Park has all you need to connect with nature, history, and recreation. History buffs will enjoy a stroll over the Old Bahia Honda Bridge route, which also provides breathtaking views of the ocean below.
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What is the entrance fee to Bahia Honda?
$8* per vehicle is the entrance fee that all guests must pay. 2 to 8 people maximum per car. $2.00* Passengers in vehicles with holders of Annual Individual Entrance Passes, bicycles, additional passengers, and pedestrians.
Is a visit to Bahia Honda State Park worthwhile?
If you’re visiting the Florida Keys, Bahia Honda State Park is a great area to stop by and spend the day—or a few days! This is a fantastic location to include on your Florida Keys itinerary, regardless of whether you are seeking for adventure, an active day, or just a few hours lazing on the beach in the sun. It is in a terrific location if you want to travel to other parts of the Keys for a day trip, but it can also serve as your home base while you are in the Keys.
Popular beach destination Bahia Honda is well-known for its wide range of activities, stunning white sand shorelines, and crystal-clear water ideal for snorkeling. There is also a short climb, fantastic campsites, and a historic railroad bridge that is visible from many locations across the park.
As a result of the park’s high popularity, you may need to arrive early in the day to guarantee a parking space, and you’ll need to make reservations for a campsite months in advance. But don’t worry—worth it’s it in spades!
We hope that this guide will offer you a solid overview of what to expect at Bahia Honda State Park, what to do, and what advance planning you might want to think about.
Be sure to get a copy of our Bahia Honda State Park Itinerary before your trip. We go through everything you need to know, including helpful maps, thorough descriptions of the treks in the region, what you should do before your visit, and what to do in the neighborhood.
Where in the ocean is Bahia Honda located?
The calmly isolated white-sand beach, which is located on a spotless spur between the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico, is still present and just as stunning as ever. Bahia Honda Key, located 12 miles south of Marathon, offers three beaches in one park that front some of the clearest ocean imaginable.
Is there swimming at Bahia Honda?
The Calusa, Loggerhead, and Sandspur beaches in Bahia Honda State Park are well-known for their warm water, shallow sandbars, and good visibility. In the summer, the water is between the mid- to upper 80s F and the lower 70s F in the winter. Swimming is risk-free all year long, with the exception of the Bahia Honda Channel, where strong currents are present. Consider bringing your snorkeling gear if you want a view while swimming. Just a few feet from the shoreline, you can see a coral reef.
Can you bring alcohol to Bahia Honda State Park?
Bahia Honda State Park only permits the consumption of alcohol in certain areas. Alcohol is legal where you are camping, but it is not allowed on the beaches of Bahia Honda.
How much does it cost to get into Bahia Honda State Park?
A motorcycle or car with one occupant must pay $4.50 to enter Bahia Honda State Park. In the case of a vehicle carrying two eight people, the fee rises to $8. (plus a surcharge of 50 per person). It costs $2.50 to enter as a pedestrian or cyclist.
How do I get a reservation at Bahia Honda State Park?
On the Florida State Parks website or by phone at (800) 326-3521, you can make a reservation for a campsite at Bahia Honda State Park.
Is Bahia Honda State Park fully open?
Due to Hurricane Irma’s substantial devastation to the region in 2017, NoSandspur Campground is still closed. Restoration work is now being done. To help with this rebuilding initiative, you can donate to The Friends of Bahia.
Does Bahia Honda fill up?
Oh, by the way, it does! Campsites at Bahia Honda State Park quickly sell out due to its high level of popularity. In fact, looking for canceled bookings is your best bet for finding a campsite there.
The Bahia Honda Bridge is accessible by foot.
There are several beautiful views of the Old Bahia Honda Bridge. You can either stroll below the old bridge or up a very short piece of it. The beach area is excellent, and the water is lovely and clear.
Which is superior, John Pennekamp or Bahia Honda?
Although the boat out of Pennekamp can travel to the well-known Christ the Redeemer statue, the reef off of Bahia Honda is typically regarded as being better. JP is little, but incredibly convenient. The water is nearby once your automobile is parked. To protect your feet, put on a bootie of some sort.
Is Bahia Beach a swimmable beach?
Due to excessive levels of germs, a health advisory has been issued for Bahia beach. Swimming is not advised because this could pose a risk to those using public pools. The level of enterococci bacteria in the samples was higher than expected. In a week, the beach will be sampled once more.
The advisory will be lifted after resampling shows that the water is within the acceptable limit.
When the beach action value reaches 70.5 or above, an advisory is released. The Environmental Protection Agency established this (EPA). Through the Healthy Beaches Measuring Program, the Florida Department of Health has been monitoring the water quality of Hillsborough County’s coastal beaches at nine sites every two weeks since August 2000 and every week since August 5, 2002.
The water samples are being examined for enteric bacteria (enterococci), which often live in both human and animal intestinal tracts and can lead to illness, infections, or rashes in people. Enteric bacteria are a sign of fecal contamination, which can come from pets, wildlife, human feces, and storm water runoff. The Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program seeks to ascertain whether Florida’s coastal beaches have major water quality issues.
Please visit the Beach Water Quality page on the Florida Department of Health’s website. Click on a county name to display the beach water sampling results for that county.
Through coordinated efforts from the state, county, and community, the department—which has received national accreditation from the Public Health Accreditation Board—works to safeguard, promote, and improve the health of every person in Florida.
How much does camping in Bahia Honda State Park cost?
- $4.50 for a single-passenger car or motorcycle (Monroe County surcharge is included).
- $2.50 for pedestrians, cyclists, additional passengers, and occupants of vehicles with annual individual entrance pass holders (Monroe County surcharge is included).
- $8 per automobile (two to eight people). There will be a 50-cent Monroe County surcharge per person.
- $10 per boat plus park admission costs.
- $36 a night + tax, in addition to a $7 nightly utility fee for RVs and a nonrefundable $6.70 reservation fee. (Camping in a tent is exempt from the utility fee). Water, electricity, and sewer are all included in the utility cost.
Residents of Florida may get a 50% discount on the current base camping costs if they are 65 years old or older, have a Social Security disability award certificate, or a 100% disability award certificate from the government (Reservation fee and utility fee are excluded). Requires eligibility documentation.
- From November 1 through April 30: $160 per night, plus tax, with a $6.70 reservation fee that isn’t refundable and a $7 utility cost per night. includes power and water.
- May 1 through October 31: $120 per night plus tax, plus a nonrefundable reservation charge of $6.70 and a nightly utility cost of $7. includes power and water.
Is Bahia Honda State Park a nice place to snorkel?
For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, board the snorkel boat trip operated by Coral Reef Park Co. Discover the magnificent Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary, home to the Florida Keys’ most magnificent reef. The reef is alive with marine life, and you may explore an amazing underwater world. The water depths here range from 5 feet to 70 feet, making it the ideal location for snorkelers of all skill levels.
At Bahia Honda State Park, you may also go snorkeling close to the shore right off the beach. Bring your own equipment or rent some here, then relax above the near-shore rocky, hard bottom and seagrass beds to see the world below. A spiny lobster, starfish, or queen conch may be visible. Whatever you like, snorkeling seems to deprive you of some of your senses and transform the experience into a completely visual one where it’s just you and the ocean.
Is it permitted to remove shells from Bahia Honda State Park?
- Fishing is excellent in the area, including some of the best tarpon fishing in the state. During tarpon season, charter boats and guides are typically available for rent. Florida requires licenses for saltwater fishing. Within the park, all fishing must adhere to the rules regarding size, number, mode of capture, and season. Inside the park, it is forbidden to spearfish, own spearfishing gear, or gather tropical fish in any way. It is forbidden to collect live shells and Queen conchs.
- SNACK BAR: The snack bar, which is housed in the main concession building, offers a variety of foods, including pizza, deli sandwiches, salads, ice cream, and more.
- LODGING: There are three duplex cottages that can each sleep six guests. Utensils and linens are offered. To make reservations, dial (800) 326-3521 or visit Reserve America.
- KAYAKING: Use one of the secure sit-on-top Ocean Kayaks to explore the water. The entire island can be navigated, and it provides a tranquil, serene excursion.
- CYCLING: Ride your own bike along the more than 3-1/2-mile-long, hard-surfaced park road that circles Bahia Honda.
- GIFT Store: Our gift shop, which is housed in the main concession building, sells a variety of goods, including T-shirts, sportswear, and snorkeling gear in addition to souvenirs. Bring something back from your trip that will remind you of the amazing Florida Keys and Bahia Honda State Park.
- 80 spots for tent and RV campers are available in the park’s three camping zones. There are hot showers and restrooms nearby. To make reservations, dial (800) 326-3521 or visit Reserve America.
- Swimming is possible in both Florida Bay and the Atlantic Ocean at some of Bahia Honda’s finest beaches in the Florida Keys.
- PARK PROGRAMS: Throughout the year, visitors to the park can take part in programs on a variety of topics related to natural and cultural history. Seasonal or on-demand guided tours are available to both individuals and groups.
What does the Spanish word “Bahia Honda” mean?
The lower Florida Keys contain the island of Bahia Honda, which translates to “deep bay” in Spanish and is locally pronounced as “BAY-ah HON-da” (be hnd).
Near the west end of the Seven Mile Bridge, between Spanish Harbor Key and Ohio Key, 12 miles (19 km) west of Marathon, is where U.S. 1 (the Overseas Highway) crosses the key at roughly mile markers 36-38.5.
Being home to the 524-acre (212-hectare) Bahia Honda State Park, the island is essentially deserted.
[1][2] The park, which opened in 1961, takes up most of the island. [2] One of the Florida Keys’ deepest natural canals is located at the west end of the island.