Near the western end of the Seven Mile Bridge connecting the Middle Keys to the Lower Keys, you'll find Bahia Honda Key. This small island along the Overseas Highway in the Florida Keys is home to one of the crown jewels of the Florida State Parks system, Bahia Honda State Park. Unlike other islands in the Keys, Bahia Honda has significant stretches of natural sand beach -- making this uncrowded, picturesque cay looks more like an island in the Caribbean. If you want to stay overnight in this subtropical paradise, you have three different types of accommodations to choose from inside the park.
On the tranquil and less-trafficked bay side of the island, the state park has three duplex cabins available. Five of the six units have two bedrooms and can sleep up to six people; one of the units is wheelchair accessible, has one bedroom and can sleep up to four people. All of the units have central heat and air, and are fully furnished. Reservations for the cabins must be made through Reserve America, which also handles campground reservations for the park. You can make reservations up to 11 months in advance, which is highly recommended because the cabins go fast.
The state park has three full-facility campgrounds. The largest is Buttonwood, which can accommodate tents, trailers and large RVs. Sandspur is the next largest; it's adjacent to Sandspur Beach, the longest beach on the island. The smallest campground is Bayside, on the bay, which has eight sites for tent and car camping only -- there's a vehicle height restriction of 6 feet, 8 inches. The waterfront sites at Buttonwood and Sandspur are the most popular in the park, usually booked out months in advance. Make reservations through Reserve America.
Those arriving by boat to Bahia Honda, or launching from the park's boat ramp, can try out "boat camping" at the state park marina. Nineteen boat slips are available where you can tie off for the night and sleep under the stars. The marina is in a protected cove, so big waves aren't a problem. Each slip has water and electric hookups; marina guests can use the bathhouse and other facilities at Buttonwood campground a stone's throw away. Unlike the campgrounds and cabins, marina reservations are made by calling the park directly.
People mainly come to Bahia Honda for its beaches. There aren't many islands in the Keys with real beaches that look like this, with palm trees bent by years of wind activity hovering over natural white sand next to crystal-clear aquamarine-hued water. The clear, shallow waters just off shore make Bahia Honda a swimming and snorkeling hot spot. Anglers come for the great reef and open sea fishing nearby -- the same waters where Hemingway once reeled in the big fish. Other activities include birding, wildlife viewing and hiking along the park's three nature trails.
