John Golf’s “Putting Around the USA”: Bahia Honda State Park

It’s back to the Florida Keys where I got to visit Bahia Honda State Park with my brothers. I have already shared our trips to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and The Dry Tortugas National Park. This trip was for snorkeling only. We were hoping for clear and calm water. However, Mother Nature had other plans as we had a beautiful sunny day while the water was a bit choppy and a bit murky.

Arrival

We traveled about 45 minutes from Tavernier, Florida on Key Largo to Big Pine Key where Bahia Honda State Park is located. The first stop was at the gate to pay our daily parking fee. The concessionaire was our next stop where we paid for our snorkeling trip and shopped for sounvenirs. The concession offers chairs, snorkeling equipment, kayak rentals, and a variety of snacks and lunches.

Snorkeling

We had a couple of hours to snorkel Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary. From their website:

Featuring one of the most spectacular reefs in the Florida Keys with plentiful Elkhorn and massive Star coral, Looe Key has become a major destination for snorkeling enthusiasts throughout the world.

Daily departures are 9:30am and/or 1:30pm. Each trip provides 1.5 hours of snorkeling, plenty of time to explore this fabulous coral reef.

My brothers had some great equipment to use whereas I did not. I spent most of the time taking in water and ended my trip on deck taking pictures of my brothers. There was a huge buzz in the water when a couple of enormous grouper, my brothers said the size of a Volkswagen Beetle. We made our way back to the boat dock and took several pictures around the park.

Other Activities Available 

According to their website:

Bahia Honda State Park has many SHORE ACTIVITIES for the land lover!

• CAMPING: Three camping areas within the park provide a total of 80 campsites for both tent and RV campers. Rest rooms and hot showers are easily accessible. Call (800) 326-3521 or go to Reserve America for reservations.
• LODGING: Three duplex cabins are furnished with accommodations for 6 people per cabin. Linens and utensils are provided. Call (800) 326-3521 or go to Reserve America for reservations.
• KAYAKING: Explore the waters in one of the stable sit-on-top Ocean Kayaks. Navigation is possible around the entire island and offers a quiet, peaceful tour.
• BICYCLING: On your own bike, cruise the park’s more than 3-1/2 mile hard surface road that runs the length of Bahia Honda.
• FISHING: Tarpon fishing in the area rates among the best in the state. Charter boats and guides are generally available for hire during tarpon season. Saltwater fishing licenses are required in Florida. All fishing within the park must conform to the regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season. Spearfishing, possession of spearfishing equipment and collection of tropical fish (by any method) is prohibited inside the park. Collection of live shells & Queen conchs are prohibited.
• SWIMMING: Bahia Honda has some of the best beaches in the Florida Keys, with swimming in the Atlantic Ocean and Florida Bay.
• GIFT SHOP: Located in the main concession building, our gift shop offers a wide range of merchandise, from souvenirs and snorkeling equipment to T-shirts and sportswear. Take home a lasting memory of your trip to Bahia Honda State Park and the fabulous Florida Keys.
• SNACK BAR: Located in the main concession building, the snack bar has a broad menu which includes pizza, deli sandwiches, salads, ice cream and more.

Bahia Honda State Park offers three beaches. Sunbathing, swimming and sand-castle building are favorite activities.

• Loggerhead Beach faces the Atlantic Ocean. The water is shallow.
• Calusa Beach faces the Florida Bay. This beach features two covered pavilions for picnicking.
• Sandspur Beach is closed, following damage from Hurricane Irma in 2017.

Be blessed and safe travels!!!