Many people consider the beaches in Bahia Honda State Park to be among the best in the Florida Keys because they are so popular.
On the trip down the Keys, 45 minutes before Key West, just before the Seven Mile Bridge, sits Bahia Honda State Park. It includes a natural sand beach, which is unusual for the Keys, as well as some of the most popular camping spots and fantastic accommodations.
However, it also boasts the iconic 1912 saddleback bridge, a survivor of Henry Flagler’s Overseas Railway that stands out from all other Keys bridges.
A well-liked destination is Bahia Honda. Four and a half years after being destroyed by Hurricane Irma, the Sandspur Campground and the Sandspur beach have reopened as of May 2022. In the upcoming 11 months, a few nights for the difficult-to-get beachside Sandspur campgrounds will be available for those who act promptly.
The Bahia Honda Bridge was the most challenging to construct of all the bridges in Flagler’s railroad, more challenging than the longer Seven Mile Bridge due to the Keys’ deepest channel. It was constructed taller than the other bridges due to the powerful tides, which would be higher during a storm. It is a trestle-style bridge, the only one of its kind in the Keys, adding to its overall robustness.
The bridge was updated for cars after the 1935 hurricane caused the closing of the train. They constructed the road on the upper level because the lower level, which the trains had been using, was too small for two lanes of traffic. It must have been a fantastic ride because it was in operation for many years. In reality, the road on top of the old bridge was your only option if you were driving to Key West before to 1972.
A trail goes to a location with a panoramic view of the old bridge and the surrounding landscape today after portions of the bridge at each end were dismantled.
In This Article...
After Irma, is Bahia Honda State Park still open?
Our lovely Bahia Honda State Park was severely damaged by Hurricane Irma. Please think about making a donation via the give buttons on our various pages if you want to aid in the reconstruction. Access to Calusa and Loggerhead Beaches is now possible from both parking lots. Repair work on Sandspur Beach and Campground started around the end of February 2020 and should be finished by the year’s end! As of February 17, 2020, the 7 passenger Sandspur Trolley trips were temporarily halted. Check back here or on our Facebook page for updates. I’m grateful; see you in the park.
Help with the Healing and Rebuilding
Let’s consider this point of view while many of us evaluate what will happen to Bahia Honda State Park. We will always be saddened by the fact that things are different if we continue to see them as they were. If we approach this as a fresh start, we can all see how it recovers and grows, and we all participate in its destiny. Since its ascent from the sea, Bahia Honda has been subjected to hurricanes; it will heal and thrive, and so will we.
We are aware that many of you are curious about what is going on at Bahia Honda State Park. The Friends group wants to give some insight into what has happened and what will happen at Bahia Honda. A lot of work is already been done, and every day teams of contractors and park employees are working. There is still much to be done.
We’ve made excellent steps to enhance access to more locations and services in the park and its harbor since reopening last autumn. Visitors won’t be able to visit certain areas of the park while cleanup and reconstruction are ongoing. We may now enjoy the Atlantic side at Calusa Beach, the Marina, and Loggerhead Beach!
In order for you to see what transpired and the ongoing progress, we also wanted to give some images. For the most recent information, feel free to check out The Friends of Bahia Honda’s Facebook page.
The Friends of Bahia Honda appreciate your contributions to aid in our reconstruction. Every cent stays in the park and will be put toward renovations and enhancements. Please think about giving what you can. Every dollar spent will have an impact.
Sandspur Beach remains blocked, right?
One of the Florida Keys’ iconic places is Bahia Honda State Park. This state park is a true wonderland, with green waters extending as far as the eye can see. All year long, tourists come to take advantage of the pleasant breezes, snorkel, relax on the beach, and explore the trails.
The Florida Keys were hit by Hurricane Irma in September 2017. More than simply trees were destroyed by the category 4 hurricane. Campsites were buried under debris, houses were demolished, and much of the beach’s sand was moved. After the storm passed, park workers, the locals, and emergency personnel teamed up to help rescue trapped people and clear the debris.
Since the storm, Bahia Honda State Park has almost completely recovered. There are still certain areas of the park that need restoration, though. Until further notice, the Sandspur camping areas and the surrounding beach are off-limits while construction on their rehabilitation is ongoing. The park’s other areas are accessible for your enjoyment. As with previous hurricanes, Bahia Honda is currently experiencing one. This park exudes an unstoppable spirit of resilience!
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.
What Florida Key is the most beautiful?
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. Some of the best snorkeling in the Florida Keys may be found here, which extends into the Atlantic Ocean. The park also offers kayak and standup paddleboard rentals in addition to a glass bottom boat. This topmost key is the perfect location to stop and get in touch with nature.
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.
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.
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.
Which Florida Keys island boasts the greatest beaches?
Beaches in the Florida Keys’ Top 10
- National Park of the Dry Tortugas.
- Sunset Beach.
- Beach in Zachary Taylor State Park.
- Beach Higgs.
- Beach C.B. Harvey Rest.
- State Park of the John Pennekamp Coral Reef.
- Beach in Sunset Park.
- Beach Anne.
Does Bahia Honda State Park have shells?
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.
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.
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.
Does Bahia Honda State Park have showers?
Due to the lack of lifeguards, exercise caution. There are 19 boat spaces that may be rented overnight and come with water, electricity (30 amps), and full access to the park’s amenities (restroom, hot showers, trash disposal and sewage pump-out). It is advised to make reservations. Call VHF Channel 16 or 305-872-3210.