This Tranquil Florida State Park in the Keys Has White-sand Beaches, Crystal Waters, and Stargazing Under Dark Skies

Soft breezes ripple through the sea grapes, and sunlight glints off the aquamarine shallows that surround Bahia Honda State Park. Here, at Mile Marker 37 in the Lower Keys, the pace of life slows to match the gentle rhythm of the waves. The 500-acre island, wrapped in three stunning beaches and framed by the historic Old Bahia Honda Bridge, feels worlds away from the bustle of nearby Key West.

“Bahia Honda State Park is truly one of the crown jewels of the Florida Keys,” says Kara Franker of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council. “In 1992, it was rated the number one beach in the United States by Dr. Beach—the first Florida beach ever to receive that honor.”

Standing beneath the graceful arches of Henry Flagler’s famed bridge, it’s easy to feel the island’s blend of history and paradise. The bridge—once part of Flagler’s “Eighth Wonder of the World,” the Overseas Railroad—now serves as an overlook where visitors can climb up for panoramic views of turquoise waters and swaying palms.

Franker, a Florida Keys resident who has been coming here for 25 years, says, “Give yourself time to linger. Plan to spend at least a few hours, or a full day. Explore the beaches, walk the bridge trail, or take a snorkeling tour. This is a place to slow down and really soak in the natural beauty of the Florida Keys.”

Planning Your Visit

Open from 8:00 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year, Bahia Honda State Park is free for all state park pass holders, but it has a capacity limit and will close once that’s reached (and ask visitors to come back later). If you don’t have a park pass, entry is just $8 per vehicle. Though welcome, pets must be leashed and under control at all times. Franker adds, “Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays. The gates open at 8 a.m., and by mid-morning on busy days, they can reach capacity rather quickly.” Also, be sure to bring plenty of sun protection. Shade is limited on the beaches, so pack umbrellas or plan to rent them.

How to Get There

45 minutes from Key West and about two and a half hours from Miami, Bahia Honda State Park sits at Mile Marker 37 along the iconic Overseas Highway (U.S. 1). It’s one of the most breathtaking stretches of the Florida Keys, where bridges soar over turquoise water. From Miami or the Upper Keys, take U.S. 1 south through Key Largo, Islamorada, and Marathon—Bahia Honda is just past the famous Seven Mile Bridge on your left. From Key West, head north on U.S. 1 for about 37 miles until you see the park entrance on your right.

Best Time to Visit

Bahia Honda State Park shines year-round, but the experience changes with the seasons. “If you’re looking to avoid the crowds, late April through early June is your sweet spot,” says Franker. “The weather is absolutely perfect with temperatures in the upper 70s to low 80s, and you’ll miss both the spring break rush and summer heat.” That late-spring window is also ideal for snorkeling and kayaking, when the water is warm, clear, and calm. From November through April, Bahia Honda enters its peak season, drawing travelers with dry skies, gentle breezes, and temperatures in the mid-60s to mid-70s. Each season has its charm, whether you’re basking in the long summer days or chasing those Technicolor sunsets in winter, but for the perfect balance of weather and breathing room, late spring delivers the best of both worlds.

Best Things to Do

Snorkel at Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary.

“Where do I even start? Snorkeling is huge here,” says Franker. Bahia Honda’s concessionaire, Coral Reef Park Company, runs daily tours to nearby Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary, just 12 miles offshore. For under $60, you’ll spend two to three hours exploring one of the Keys’ most spectacular reefs dotted with elkhorn coral, angelfish, and parrotfish.

Stargaze under the Keys’ darkest skies.

Here’s a local secret: Bahia Honda is the darkest stargazing spot in the entire Florida Keys. Camp overnight and you can join one of the park’s twice-monthly astronomy programs, when rangers and members of the Florida Keys Astronomy Club set up telescopes for visitors to glimpse distant galaxies and constellations. “It’s absolutely magical,” says Franker.

Paddle, fish, and explore by water.

For a closer-to-shore adventure, rent a kayak and paddle the gentle waters that surround the island. You might spot dolphins, sea turtles, or even manatees gliding below your boat. Anglers can cast from shore or launch from the park’s boat ramps in search of tarpon, snapper, or barracuda.

Walk the Old Bahia Honda Bridge Trail.

Don’t miss the short trail up to the Old Bahia Honda Bridge, one of the most photographed spots in the Keys. From the top, you’ll have panoramic views of both the Atlantic Ocean and Florida Bay, and on a clear day, you can see rays and sea turtles swimming below.

Relax on three distinct beaches.

Bahia Honda is also home to some of the best natural beaches in the Keys—a rarity in this island chain. Calusa Beach, tucked near the marina, offers calm water and unbeatable views of the bridge. Loggerhead Beach, on the Atlantic side, has plenty of space for swimming, kayaking, or fishing. And Sandspur Beach, newly restored after Hurricane Irma, is a long, pristine stretch perfect for long walks or sunset picnics.

Must-see Wildlife and Natural Features

Bahia Honda State Park’s crystalline waters and lush coastal habitats make it one of the best places in the Keys to experience nature up close; it’s home to over 150 species of flora, including the largest known stand of Florida silver palms, rare yellow satinwood, and the endangered small-flowered lily thorn. From the flutter of rare butterflies to the call of migrating songbirds, the park hums with life above and below the surface.

A birder’s paradise, this park is recognized as one of the premier stops on the Great Florida Birding Trail, thanks to its mix of tropical hardwoods, mangroves, and sandy flats. Endangered white-crowned pigeons nest here in the summer, while more than 30 species of wood warblers arrive during fall and winter migrations. At low tide, watch for ruddy turnstones, sanderlings, and yellow-crowned night herons foraging along the shoreline. In autumn, hawks glide over the ocean, and the decommissioned Bahia Honda Bridge offers a true bird’s-eye view of the tropical canopy below, where yellow-billed cuckoos and American redstarts flit through the trees.

A short path near the Loggerhead Beach parking lot leads to the Wings and Waves Butterfly Garden, a tranquil pocket of color filled with nectar-rich native plants. Keep your eyes open for Martial and Mallow scrub-hairstreaks, lyside sulphurs, malachites, and a variety of skippers fluttering among the blooms. Or opt for a different kind of treasure hunt, and test your skills at geocaching. Four caches are hidden throughout the park, with a fifth as part of Florida’s Operation Recreation GeoTour, which awards special geocoins to participants. Start your search at Geocaching.com, then set off on a Keys-style scavenger hunt through Bahia Honda’s beaches and trails.

Where to Stay

The park offers 80 campsites, ranging from primitive to full hook-up, with spaces for both tents and RVs, plus three duplex cabins on stilts overlooking the bay. Five of the units have two bedrooms and can accommodate up to six people; one has a single bedroom and a wheelchair lift. Each features central heating and cooling, a living room with a sofa bed, a kitchen, and a full bath. Franker adds, “Reservations open 11 months out, and the cabins fill up almost immediately. They’re worth it, though. You wake up to sunrise over the water and get access to those exclusive stargazing programs. And if you want to access the Bayside Campground or cabins, make sure your vehicle is under 6 feet 8 inches tall. That’s the clearance under the Bahia Honda Bridge.”

Camping costs $36 per night plus a small reservation fee, and sites often book up months in advance—especially in peak season. For reservations, visit the Florida State Parks reservations website or call 800-326-3521 or TDD 888-433-0287. For those arriving by water, the marina offers 19 boat slips with water, electricity, and sewage pump-out, along with full access to all park amenities, including barbecue grills and picnic areas.

If you prefer more creature comforts, nearby resorts include Little Palm Island Resort, Isla Bella Beach Resort, Tranquility Bay Beachfront Resort, and Faro Blanco Resort & Yacht Club.

Where to Eat

A concessions stand offering sandwiches, souvenirs, and equipment rental makes a convenient pickup spot once you are in the park. Shaded picnic tables and charcoal grills are available near the campgrounds and pavilions—ideal for a laid-back lunch with a view of the turquoise water.

For longer stays, I recommend stocking up with snacks, charcoal, and picnic provisions in Marathon, just a short drive away.

For those venturing beyond the park, a handful of nearby eateries are worth the detour to get a taste of the Lower Keys. Galley Grill on Summerland Key is a local favorite for breakfast and lunch—think strawberry almond French toast, sweet potato and sausage hash, and weekend fresh-catch specials. The owner, Chad, knows locals by name and always greets folks with his special blend of hospitality.

If you’re craving something quirky, No Name Pub on Big Pine Key serves cold beer, killer pizza, and a side of Old Florida charm—don’t forget to bring a dollar bill to add to their growing collection covering the ceiling. Irie Island Eats in Marathon offers tropical open-air dining surrounded by palms and hibiscus, while Butterfly Café, tucked inside the Tranquility Bay Beach Resort, is perfect for a sunset dinner of fresh seafood and island-inspired cocktails. And I never miss a grilled fish sandwich paired with the best conch chowder in the Keys and a slice of homemade key lime pie at Fish Tales Market & Eatery. They also have an expansive market with grab-and-go selections to bring back to the campground.

Health-conscious travelers will love Good Food Conspiracy on Big Pine Key, a small natural café and juice bar known for its pineapple-mango smoothie, tofu melt, and turmeric-ginger-lemon shots. It’s the kind of place where you can refuel after a morning paddle or snorkel and feel instantly like a local.

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