Another view of the bridge to nowhere

Bahia Honda State Park for Birding & Beaches

Located at Mile Marker 37, Bahia Honda State Park in the Florida Keys is one place worth visiting on the four – five hour drive between Key West and the mainland. The island that is home to Bahia Honda State Park has loads of sandy beaches – so it’s a haven for families.

Apart from lazing on a beach you can bike the roads and hike a few short trails.

Don’t miss the walk up Old Bahia Honda Bridge though unfortunately you can’t go as far as you once could. It does offer beautiful views of the area but for the best broken bridge views, head towards the ocean. You can actually walk right under the old bridge.

Also remember to bring a mask and snorkel to take advantage of the park’s waters. (Check out these tips for buying a snorkel.) Kayaks can be rented at the concession stand as well.

Bahia Honda State Park Photos

Information sign in Bahia Honda State Park
Information sign in the park

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The Overseas Highway destroyed by a hurricane in 1935
The Overseas Highway destroyed by a hurricane in 1935
Another view of the bridge to nowhere
Another view of the bridge to nowhere from Bahia Honda State Park
Easy biking in Bahia Honda State Park
Easy biking in Bahia Honda State Park
One of the beaches in Bahia Honda State Park that is popular with snorkelers
One of the beaches in the park that is popular with snorkelers
Snorkeling in the calm waters of Bahia Honda State Park
Snorkeling in the calm waters of the park
Lots of bird life in the dried seaweed along the shoreline in the park
Lots of bird life in the dried seaweed along the shoreline in the park
Bahia Honda State Park is a superb park for birding
The park is a superb park for birding
The island is made of Key Largo limestone
The island is made of Key Largo limestone
There's a long section of beach to walk
There’s a long section of beach to walk
Kayaking looks like fun
Kayaking looks like fun near the state park
Zebra butterfly I think
Zebra butterfly I think
Immature ibis
Immature ibis
Fantastic camouflage
Fantastic camouflage
The threatened silver palm can be found in the park
The threatened silver palm can be found in the park or could before the last hurricane

Camping in the park

Although we only visited the park for a couple of hours, it seems camping is a very popular option. A couple of cyclists had pulled up hoping to score a tent site for the night and were told that campsites often sell out up to a year in advance.

If camping is of interest visit ReserveAmerica.com. I’m not sure where the cyclists ended up – guerrilla camping I suspect!!

It’s worth the admission fee to explore Bahia Honda State Park

For more information on the park check out the state park website.

Location map of Bahia Honda State Park

   

Further reading on things to do in Florida

Click on the photo to bookmark to your Pinterest boards.

A stop at Bahia Honda State Park on the Miami to Key West drive for beaches and birds

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10 Comments

  1. I visited Bahia Honda State Park in November 2014
    It was actually the favourite part of my day driving the Florida Keys.
    I spent time on different parts of the beaches there and ejoyed every minute of my time there.
    Thanks for the great photos!

    1. @Molly I didn’t stop in Key Largo for the snorkeling which I hear is very good. And I’d heard good things about Bahia Honda so glad we made the stop. I think I’d bring my own picnic lunch the next time to avoid the mostly fast food options.

  2. I used to snorkel in Bahia Honda all the time, when I lived in Orlando back in the 70’s. What a magnificent place. We would spend days at the park and loved every minute of it. Biggest issue was not putting enough sunscreen on! Always had a sunburn afterwards, but I loved it. Brought back some great memories. Thanks.
    Mike

  3. Good, no more of you boating with alligators! I had a bad dream from that post, Jan!! LOL…I really did! This is sooooo beautiful and it sounds and looks warmly inviting right now. Those pictures of the birds are spectacular, my friend. I hope you are having a great week!! 🙂

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