Bev's Guide to the Florida Keys: Bahia Honda State Park

Welcome

Welcome to my blog, Bev's Guide to the Florida Keys. While I don't consider myself an expert, my husband, Ray and I have been visiting the Keys every year (sometimes more than once a year) for over 20 years. My intention is to tell you of my experiences in the places we've lodged, eaten, boated, endulged in libation, or simply relaxed. You can make up your own mind whether or not to heed my suggestions.

I'll try to provide as much information as I can in regard to contact info, what the bathrooms are like (ladies you know it's important to you), parking, and customer service. So read on all you Conchs and Parrotheads and please leave comments about whether or not one of my posts was helpful or if you have any suggestions.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Bahia Honda State Park

You have not been to the Lower Keys until you've been to the award winning beachs at Bahia Honda State Park. What a diamond in the rough! Located at MM 37, Bahia Honda holds over 500 acres to explore and enjoy. There are kayak rentals, snorkeling, a gift shop and snack bar, as well as lots of other family fun.

Bahia Honda boasts two beaches - Calusa Beach that overlooks the Overseas Highway and the now defunct yet famous Henry Flager Coast Railway bridge, and Sandspur Beach that is located on the Atlantic Ocean side of the park. While I prefer Calusa Beach, many would disagree with me. If you opt for Calusa Beach be sure to walk up the path and go to the top of the Henry Flagler bridge. The view is spectacular. Or, enjoy watching the boats that often anchor in the harbor for the night.

The park is open from 8:00 a.m. until sunset and provides showers, clean restrooms and a drop-dead gorgeous panoramic view! Sorry, no pets are allowed on the beaches. There is a nominal entrance fee. For one person/vehicle it's $4.50; 2 people $9.00; 4 people $9.50, etc., so the more people you have in you vehicle the cheaper it is. There is also plenty of boat slips in the marina, but I am unsure how all that works. Check out the website or call for more info. Enjoy!

Coral Reef Park Company, Inc.; Bahia Honda State Park; 36850 Overseas Highway (MM 37); P.O. Box 430516; Big Pine Key, FL 33043; Phone 305-872-3210; www.bahiahondapark.com; Email info@bahiahondapark.com

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Facts and Advice

1. Key Deer are endangered. It is illegal to feed them. They weigh only 75 lbs. when fully grown & stand only 32 inches high.
2. Speeding is a big no-no in the Keys. My advice - don't do it. Passing someone is not only stupid, it's dangerous. Sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery. Adding 10 minutes more to your trip isn't that big a deal.
3. The local newspaper is called The Citizen. Inside the front page is a column called Citizens' Voice. It's hysterical. Also check out the paper to find out when cruise ships are in port. You may want to avoid KW on those days.
4. Manatees "sleep." They appear dead b/c they often lay lifeless, drifting in the current. They love lettuce & will suck on a fresh water hose like a baby. While its recommended that you do neither of those things, they sure are cute to watch. Adults on the average are 10 ft. long & weigh about 1,000 pounds. They feed on seagrass & aquatic plants, consuming up to 100 lbs/day. They can hold their breath for 20 minutes. They are on the Florida endangered species list.

5. There are 5 kinds of sea turtles that live in the Gulf of Mexico & Atlantic Ocean - Green, Loggerhead, Hawksbill, Kemp's Ridley & Leatherback. They are found in shallow saltwater & among coral reefs. They dig over 4,000 nests on Florida beaches every year. They live to be 40-60 years old. All species are on the endangered or threatened list. Lights on beaches by boaters & revelers often disorient sea turtles, causing them harm.

6. Key West is the southernmost city in the continental U.S. and is closer to Havana, Cuba than to Miami.

7. There are 42 bridges that connect the islands of the Keys. The longest bridge is the 7-mile bridge.

8. The small green mile marker signs along US 1, start with 126 just south of Florida City & end with MM 0 in Key West.

9.There are over 800 Keys. Key Largo is the longest at 33 miles.

10. The word "key" comes from the Spanish word "cayo" which means "little island."

11. Key West is known as the Conch Republic.

12. US 1 is also called the Overseas Highway.

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Monday, January 23, 2012

Bahia Honda State Park

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