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.
In This Article...
What is the entrance fee to Bahia Honda State Park?
$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.
Which is superior, John Pennekamp or Bahia Honda?
Last May, I went shore diving in both parks, and while I would rate both equally, there are some variances. Entry into both is $4.50 each. Both locations provide the option of taking boats out to the reef. 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.
For some shade, there is a covered table area. Although the fish there will often be smaller due to the constantly changing water conditions. However, I could see lobster barely ten feet or so from the shore. A school of large fish that were in the deep area once came across me as well.
Additionally, JP offers the greatest showers, which are a short distance away and closer to the boat port on the opposite side of the main buildings. Additionally, right next to the gift shop inside was a fantastic lunch offer. Only $4.25 gets you a hot dog, fries, and beverage.
Bahia Honda was significantly larger and had two distinct beaches, one on the Bay and one on the Atlantic. Swimming sounded enjoyable at Bayside. On the opposite side, close to the bridge, I dove into the channel. It’s a little risky, and they advise using a diver flag, but I’m an expert, so I just stuck to the shore to keep any boats from passing beneath the old bridge.
There were more substantial fish present, including rays, conch, and one tarpon. I spent some time collecting discarded fishing line that was entangled with seaweed and rocks.
There is soft, fine sand on the beach that is gentler on your feet. Additionally, with people evenly spaced out, there was a much better sense of seclusion (go on a weekday for that!). It took some time to get back to the showers, but I’m always relieved to have a shower after a dive!
If visibility was crucial, I would probably choose Bahia Honda because the water in the canal there was clear, as opposed to the muddy water off the beach at JP, which is likely because it isn’t directly on the ocean.
However, keep in mind that there is little to no cover, so use plenty of sunscreen, wear hats, and check to see if they offer umbrellas. You would definitely appreciate it more this way.
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.
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.
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.
Is Bahia Honda State Park a good place to watch the sunset?
The best beach and sunrise/sunset views in Florida are found in Bahia Honda, which is 38 miles north of Key West on U.S. Route 1.
What Florida Key is the most beautiful?
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo With the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Key Largo is the location of one of the most well-known spectacular views in the Florida Keys.
Which beach in Key West is the most beautiful?
Discover Key West’s best 5 beaches by reading on.
- 1) Fort Jefferson and the Dry Tortugas. The most gorgeous beach in the Florida Keys, in the opinion of many, is found on this isolated group of islands located 70 miles west of Key West.
- Fort Zachary Taylor No. 2.
- Smathers Beach, no. 3.
- Higgs Beach, No. 4.
- Bahia Honda State Park, number 5.
Where in the Florida Keys is the water the clearest?
A National Historic Landmark, Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park has some of Key West’s most crystal-clear waters for diving and snorkeling. Along with paddling, fishing, and picnics, it is perfect for these activities because it is home to the city’s favorite beach at its southern end. A 19th-century fort that was used to protect the nation’s shoreline throughout the Civil and Spanish-American wars is located near the Florida Keys’ top tourist site, which is also well-liked among history aficionados. It now houses the largest collection of artillery from the American Civil War.
Why doesn’t Key West have any beaches?
The Florida Keys are an idyllic island destination, but it comes as a surprise to many visitors that there aren’t many beaches there.
Key West and the other Florida Keys islands, which were formed when the ocean was deeper and the area was submerged beneath the sea, are coral islands that were formerly reefs.
These days, the ocean is shallower, and six miles offshore are living coral reefs that act as a barrier to waves and surges. Beaches in the Keys are quite uncommon because they have little sand to begin with and little wave movement to add more.
Nevertheless, there are still some excellent choices for spending time at the beach in Key West.
Does Bahia Honda State Park have shells?
On vacation, my family and I came here and had a blast! Bring a strainer if you’re looking for seashells because they are incredibly tiny but magnificent here. Find the wrack line, where there is a trough, by wading into the water between 1 and 3 feet. There are several shells to be found if you dig in this trough. A sea biscuit was also discovered by my family. Stay on Sandspur Beach near the top of the key for the best snorkeling. There are many of fish to observe, and you can even locate some shells in the tall grass. Watch out for some cool orange-colored batfish and algae bubbles as well. Downloading the Bahia Honda Natural Life Guide from the website is strongly recommended. Enjoy yourself a lot:)
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.
Are there any beaches in Bahia Honda?
Bahia Honda Key, located 12 miles south of Marathon, offers three beaches in one park that front some of the clearest ocean imaginable. The largest beach on Bahia Honda is called Sandspur, and it extends around the island’s southeast corner. The smallest beach, Calusa, is located on the northwest side.