Bahia Honda

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Bahia Honda (deep bay, in Spanish), one of the Florida Keys, is located at mile marker 37, 12 miles (19 km) south of Marathon, at the west end of the Seven Mile Bridge. The island is virtually uninhabited, being home to 524-acre (2.1 km²) Bahia Honda State Park. The channel at the island's west end is one of the deepest natural channels in the Florida keys.

Henry Flagler's Florida East Coast Railway once ran through the present parkland to Key West. Built between 1905 and 1912, it was destroyed by the severe Labor Day Hurricane of 1935. Later, the railroad bridge foundations were used to build the Overseas Highway, which became U.S. Route 1. Part of the old Bahia Honda Bridge is accessible from the park, and offers a panoramic view of the islands.

Founded in 1961, Bahia Honda State Park occupies most of the island. Several rare plants, including yellow satinwood, silver and key thatch palms, and the endangered small-flowered lily thorn, are found in the park. The 2.5 mile (4 km) natural, white sand beach was at one time named the best in the continental U.S. A nature trail near the park’s oceanside beach skirts a tidal lagoon before passing through a coastal hammock.

Bicycles, kayaks and snorkeling gear can be rented at the park, and boat trips for snorkeling on the reef are available. The park has a marina with boat slips available for overnight rental. Campsites (primitive and full hook-up) and vacation cabins are available, although reservations for the winter months can be very difficult to get.

External links

[Florida State Parks— Bahia Honda]

[Edit] Florida Keys
Biscayne keys Soldier's Key, Ragged Keys, Boca Chita Key, Sands Key, Elliott Key, Adams Key, Old Rhodes Key
Upper keys Key Largo, Islamorada, Tavernier, Plantation Key, Upper Matecumbe Key, Lower Matecumbe Key
Middle keys Craig Key, Fiesta Key, Long Key, Layton, Conch Key, Duck Key, Grassy Key, Deer Key, Key Vaca, Marathon, Key Colony Beach, Boot Key,
Lower keys Bahia Honda, West Summerland Key, No Name Key, Big Pine Key, Torch Key, Little Torch Key, Ramrod Key, Summerland Key, Cudjoe Key, Sugarloaf Key, Saddlebunch Keys, Big Coppitt Key, Boca Chica Key, Key Haven, Stock Island, Key West
Outlying islands Dry Tortugas, Marquesas Keys
Areas Florida Bay, Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, National Key Deer Sanctuary, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Biscayne Bay, Biscayne National Park, Key West National Wildlife Refuge
Other topics Monroe County, Overseas Highway, Overseas Railway, Card Sound Bridge, Seven Mile Bridge, Bahia Honda Bridge, Theater of the Sea, Hurricane Georges, Labor Day Hurricane of 1935, Key Deer, Ocean Reef Club

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[Edit]	Florida Keys
Biscayne keys	Soldier's Key, Ragged Keys, Boca Chita Key, Sands Key, Elliott Key, Adams Key, Old Rhodes Key
Upper keys	Key Largo, Islamorada, Tavernier, Plantation Key, Upper Matecumbe Key, Lower Matecumbe Key
Middle keys	Craig Key, Fiesta Key, Long Key, Layton, Conch Key, Duck Key, Grassy Key, Deer Key, Key Vaca, Marathon, Key Colony Beach, Boot Key,
Lower keys	Bahia Honda, West Summerland Key, No Name Key, Big Pine Key, Torch Key, Little Torch Key, Ramrod Key, Summerland Key, Cudjoe Key, Sugarloaf Key, Saddlebunch Keys, Big Coppitt Key, Boca Chica Key, Key Haven, Stock Island, Key West
Outlying islands	Dry Tortugas, Marquesas Keys
Areas	Florida Bay, Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, National Key Deer Sanctuary, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Biscayne Bay, Biscayne National Park, Key West National Wildlife Refuge
Other topics	Monroe County, Overseas Highway, Overseas Railway, Card Sound Bridge, Seven Mile Bridge, Bahia Honda Bridge, Theater of the Sea, Hurricane Georges, Labor Day Hurricane of 1935, Key Deer, Ocean Reef Club

Bahia Honda

External links

See also