Florida Keys Beach Gem Bahia Honda State Park
Bahia Honda State Park – Big Pine Key Florida
When trying to find one of the best beaches in the Florida Keys each individual has their preferences.
Your preference may be a commercial beach like Sombrero Beach with plenty of restaurants, attractions and beach bars. It could be a beach like Sanibel or Captiva where shelling is the beachgoer’s goal.
Bahia Honda in the Keys State Park Beach is a different kind of beach experience that distinguishes itself from all others!
We Passed Bahia Honda Many Times
On the way to Key West, we passed this park and beach at mile marker 36.8 called Bahia Honda many times, thinking it was just another state park. We missed several years of relaxation and family fun!
Bahia Honda State Park Beach offers an experience for younger family members to see wildlife up close. The shallow waters explored with just a child’s snorkeling facemask will open a whole new world.
There is a unique aquatic world just below the surface of the Bahia Honda Beach grass-covered shallows with fish, small crabs, starfish and other miniature sea creatures.
We consider BH State Park Beach to be the best beach in the Florida Keys to teach children how to snorkel.
Children get immersed in finding a new exciting universe that many other beaches can’t offer. That makes Bahia Honda in the Keys one of the best beaches in Florida.
Bahia Honda Has a Different Kind of Beach
Bordering the Atlantic Ocean, Bahia Honda State Park offers a diverse experience including bird watching that can be done in a beach chair with a cool refreshment.
If you are a camper, Bahia Honda will be your Oceanside paradise. Snorkelers don’t need an expensive charter or hundreds of dollars of snorkel gear to explore the multitude of different structures around the island.
Bahia Honda, while seeming remote, has all the standard Florida park amenities including a small shop, restrooms, showers and concessions.
Bahia Honda Beach- Not Your Normal Florida Beach
Shallow water along the shoreline make the island a great place for exploring.
Fishing is excellent on both sides of the island.
The beauty of the area and will keep you coming back to Bahia Honda Beach.
Affordable Family Fun at Best Beach in the Florida Keys
At $8 per vehicle, you can bring the whole family for picnicking along the sandy shores of Bahia Honda.
If there is a fisherman in the family, they can enjoy some shallow-water fishing at its best. You can learn more about saltwater fishing with our guide.
No, this is not your normal beach crowded with people reeking of the smell of suntan lotion munching on cheese crackers in a rented beach chair. This is a place to explore.
As one of the best beaches in the Florida Keys, Bahia Honda Beach is a place to learn and a place to teach children about the beauties of the ocean.
Adults can also feel the natural sights, sounds and feelings in nature’s playground.
Bahia Honda State Park Key West
Bahia Honda State Park is about 35 miles east of Key West on Big Pine Key, the home of Florida’s Key Deer.
If you are driving to Key West, this is a perfect place to stop to gather your senses before the normal madness along Duval Street.
Even if your destination is not Key West, the trip from one of the other Keys is a Florida day trip worthwhile.
All in all, you can find one of the best beaches in the Florida Keys at Bahia Honda State Park.
What Mile Marker is Bahia Honda State Park
Bahia Honda in the Keys is located approximately 37 miles (60 kilometers) west of Key West. It is situated on Bahia Honda Key, which is part of the Lower Florida Keys.
Here are some directions to Bahia Honda Key from Key West:
1. **Head east on US-1**: Depart from Key West and head eastward on US-1, also known as the Overseas Highway, and in 2025 it is now known as Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway, which is the main road connecting the Florida Keys.
2. **Continue on US-1**: Stay on US-1 and follow the signs indicating directions toward Bahia Honda State Park. You’ll be passing through several other keys, including Stock Island, Big Coppitt Key, and Ramrod Key, as you make your way toward Bahia Honda Key.
3. **Cross the Seven Mile Bridge**: One of the most iconic sections of the drive to Bahia Honda State Park is the crossing of the Seven Mile Bridge, which spans the waters between Marathon Key and Bahia Honda Key. Enjoy the scenic views of the turquoise waters of the Florida Straits as you cross this historic bridge.
4. **Arrive at Bahia Honda**: Once you reach Bahia Honda Key, follow the signs directing you to Bahia Honda State Park, which will be at mile marker 36.8. The park entrance is located on the north side of the key, and you’ll find parking areas, picnic facilities, and beach access points within the park.
Bahia Honda Park is known for its beautiful beaches, clear waters, and opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and wildlife viewing.
The park offers several beach areas, including Sandspur Beach, Calusa Beach, and Loggerhead Beach, each with its own unique features and amenities. Enjoy your visit to Bahia Honda State Park Beach and soak up the natural beauty of the Florida Keys!
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