Bahia Honda Key Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Bahia Honda State Park
IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
Bahia Honda’s beach in April 2019
Bahia Honda State Park Location in Florida
Location	Monroe County, Florida, United States
Nearest city	Marathon, Florida
Area	524 acres (2.12 km²)
Established	1961
Governing body	Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Bahia Honda is a beautiful island located in the lower Florida Keys. Its name means "deep bay" in Spanish. You can find it about 12 miles (19 km) west of Marathon.

The main road, U.S. 1, also known as the Overseas Highway, crosses the island. It sits between Ohio Key and Spanish Harbor Key, near the famous Seven Mile Bridge.

Most of Bahia Honda island is home to the amazing Bahia Honda State Park. This park was created in 1961 and covers about 524-acre (212-hectare). The water channel at the west end of the island is one of the deepest natural channels in the Florida Keys.

Animals of Bahia Honda State Park
- Rare Butterflies
Plants of Bahia Honda State Park
History of Bahia Honda
- The Old Railroad Bridge
- Early County Borders
Fun Activities at Bahia Honda
Park Hours
Gallery
See also

Animals of Bahia Honda State Park

The waters around Bahia Honda are full of exciting marine life. If you go snorkeling near the beach, you might see many kinds of small reef fish. You could also spot rays, barracuda, and even small nurse sharks swimming by.

Rare Butterflies

In 1999, a very special discovery was made in the park. The only known natural group of the rare Miami blue butterfly was found here. People thought this butterfly had disappeared after Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Finding them at Bahia Honda was a wonderful surprise!

Plants of Bahia Honda State Park

Bahia Honda State Park is also home to several rare plants. These include the yellow satinwood (Zanthoxylum flavum), Florida silver palm (Coccothrinax argentata), and Key thatch palm (Leucothrinax morrisii). You can also find the endangered small-flowered lily-thorn (Catesbaea parviflora). These plants make the park a special place for nature lovers.

History of Bahia Honda

Long ago, Henry Flagler's Florida East Coast Railway used to run through what is now the park. This railway was built between 1905 and 1912 and went all the way to Key West.

The Old Railroad Bridge

Sadly, a very strong storm called the 1935 Labor Day hurricane destroyed the railway in 1935. Later, the foundations of the old railroad bridge were used to build the Overseas Highway. This highway became part of U.S. 1.

Today, you can still visit part of the old Bahia Honda Bridge from the park. It offers amazing views of the islands around you. In 1908, the Florida East Coast Railway Company built large dorms here. These buildings housed the workers who were building the Bahia Honda Bridge.

Early County Borders

Did you know that in 1890, Bahia Honda Key was the southern end of Miami-Dade County? That county stretched far north, all the way to where the St. Lucie River is today!

Fun Activities at Bahia Honda

Bahia Honda State Park is a great place for outdoor fun! It has a 2.5-mile (4.0 km) natural, white sand beach. This beach was even named the #1 beach in the U.S. in 1992 by "Dr. Beach" Stephen Leatherman. It's perfect for swimming!

Exploring Nature

You can walk along a nature trail near the park's oceanside beach. This trail goes around a tidal lagoon and through a coastal hardwood hammock.

Biking and Picnics

If you like to bike, there's a 3.5-mile (5.6 km) paved road for bicycling and inline skating. The park also has many great spots for fishing and picnics.

Learning About Sea Life

Don't forget to visit the Sand and Sea Nature Center! It has cool displays about local sea and shore life. You can learn about corals, shells, crabs, sea urchins, drift seeds, sea sponges, and sea turtles.

Water Adventures

You can rent Kayaks and snorkeling gear right at the park. There are also boat trips that take you out to snorkel on the reef. The park has a marina where you can rent boat slips if you want to stay overnight.

Camping and Cabins

If you love camping, Bahia Honda has campsites. Some are simple, and some have full hook-ups for RVs. You can also rent vacation cabins. Just remember, it can be hard to get reservations for the winter months, so plan ahead!