Bahia Honda State Park?

[brookeq]

Our cruise in January makes a stop in Key West. We have been there once before and found that it really wasn't the place for us. We want to go to a beach but found that most of the beaches in key west aren't that great. We are going to be in Key west all day so we were thinking about renting a car and going to Bahia Honda State Park. Is this place worth it. What is the beach like. Thanks in advance for any information.

[bambam]

To each their own...When we went in May, we drove from Miami. We stopped at Bahia Honda, saw the sign that said it was the #1 beach in America in 1992...and we were thoroughly dissappointed. The problem is this: there are several beach access points at the park. We went where the sign was, and the beach wasn't 10 yards wide, with lots of shells and seaweed lining the entrance to the water. I did some snorkeling, and saw only grasses and conch shells, it was virtually free of any marine life.

 

When you enter the park, you will come to a dead end. If you turn right, you will come to a park area that has a restaurant, snorkel-gear rental shop and changing area. The ocean-side beach there was not pretty at all... on the other side of the beach-house is another beach-cove area that is much prettier, has a view of the bridge/US 1... and may be the spot we missed.

 

Back to the dead end...if you turn left, you will run into the 1992 sign and parking area that we visited for a couple of hours. Not much to do..a little picnic area, but thats it (no changing area, restrooms or food service). Food service was available back at the other beach-park area.

 

We had a much better time at Ft. Taylor Beach, IMHO....even Smathers was better than Bahia Honda...and the snorkeling was significantly better...especially at Ft. Taylor Beach...but that is our opinion...we like soft sandy beaches... if isolation (privacy) and deep-shell entrance points are your cup of tea...go for it...Bahia Honda was about 45 minutes away from KW...

 

Hope this helps...

[brookeq]

Thanks for the response. I have only been to one beach in key west and it was ok. I just haven't been reading great things about the beaches and I am just trying to pick the best option for us. Thanks for the advice. Probably isn't worth the drive.

[Bequia]

brookeq, We recently stayed at Bahia Honda State Park and our take on the beach is completely different from the previous poster. We found the beaches to be wide during low tide and narrow during high tide. That's common for any beach in the Keys. As far as seaweed, the accumulation was not that bad when we were there, in fact it was absent for long stretches of beach.

 

Our snorkeling experience was very good as well. The waters are crystal clear and very warm. We spotted sand sharks, stingrays among a wide variety of tropical fish. We were also fortunate to come upon sea turtles. The marine life is abundant. If you ASK the park staff they will tell you the best snorkeling spots in the park.

 

For privacy this is the place. You have access to both the ocean and the bay for swimming and snorkeling. The facilities (bathrooms & showers) are clean, the staff are very knowledgeable and friendly.

 

This beach was rated #1 beach in America in 1992. It remains our #1 beach in SoFla today. You will really be doing yourself a disservice if you don't visit this beautiful park. ;)

 

ps...if you go don't forget your camera. there's a great vantage point from the top of the old bridge overlooking the bay, ocean and seven mile bridge.

[bambam]

This is the really great thing about the CC Boards, different viewpoints...see, Pebbles and I saw different beaches, obviously at high tide, and came away with very different opinions.

 

Bequia had some great experiences with B-H-P and gave some good advice (to consult with park officials), which we didn't do...

 

gotta love it.... :D