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Bahia Honda Key

Coordinates: 24°39′34″N 81°15′42″W / 24.659576°N 81.261578°W / 24.659576; -81.261578
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For other uses, see Bahia Honda (disambiguation).

Bahia Honda State Park
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Bahia Honda’s beach in April 2019
Map showing the location of Bahia Honda State Park
Map showing the location of Bahia Honda State Park
LocationMonroe County, Florida, United States
Nearest cityMarathon, Florida
Coordinates24°39′34″N 81°15′42″W / 24.659576°N 81.261578°W / 24.659576; -81.261578
Area524 acres (2.12 km2)
Established1961
Governing bodyFlorida Department of Environmental Protection

Bahia Honda (meaning deep bay, in Spanish, locally pronounced: BAY-ah HON-da [ˈbeɪə ˈhɒndə], also pronounced (in Spanish): Bah-EE-ah OWN-dah [baˈia ˈonda]) is an island in the lower Florida Keys.

U.S. 1 (the Overseas Highway) crosses the key at approximately mile markers 36-38.5, between Ohio Key and Spanish Harbor Key 12 miles (19 km) west of Marathon, close to the west end of the Seven Mile Bridge.

The island is virtually uninhabited, being home to the 524-acre (212-hectare) Bahia Honda State Park.[1][2] Founded in 1961, the park occupies most of the island.[2] The channel at the island's west end is one of the deepest natural channels in the Florida Keys.

Fauna

Marine life is quite plentiful in the waters surrounding the island. Just off the beach snorkelers can spot many species of small reef fish, as well as rays, barracuda, and even the occasional small nurse shark.

The only known natural colony of the now rare Miami blue butterfly was discovered in the park in 1999. The butterfly had been thought to have become extinct as a result of Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

Flora

Several rare plants, including yellow satinwood (Zanthoxylum flavum), Florida silver palm (Coccothrinax argentata), Coconut palm (Cocos nucifera), Key thatch palm (Leucothrinax morrisii), and the endangered small-flowered lily-thorn (Catesbaea parviflora) are found in the park

History

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. 1. Part of the old Bahia Honda Bridge is accessible from the park, and offers a panoramic view of the islands. In 1908, the Florida East Coast Railway Company built two large two-story dormitories there to house workers building the Bahia Honda Bridge.

In 1890 Bahia Honda Key was the southern terminus for Miami-Dade county, then known as Dade county, which stretched as far north as present day St. Lucie River.

Recreational activities

The 2.5-mile (4.0 km) natural, white sand beach was rated the #1 beach in 1992 in the United States by "Dr. Beach" Stephen Leatherman (the first Florida beach to be so honored), making it popular for swimming. A nature trail near the park's oceanside beach skirts a tidal lagoon before passing through a coastal hardwood hammock. Bicycling and inline skating can be done on the park's 3.5-mile (5.6 km) paved road, and there are several fishing and picnicking spots in the area. The Sand and Sea Nature Center features displays about local sea and shore life, including corals, shells, crabs, sea urchins, drift seeds, sea sponges and sea turtles.

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.

The park is also a part of the Great Florida Birding Trail.

Hours

Florida state parks are open between 8 a.m. and sundown every day of the year (including holidays).

Climate

Bahia Honda Key has a tropical savanna climate (Aw), similar to the rest of the Florida Keys.

Climate data for Bahia Honda Key, Florida (1991–2020 normals, extremes 2004–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 88
(31) 		88
(31) 		92
(33) 		93
(34) 		95
(35) 		95
(35) 		97
(36) 		98
(37) 		94
(34) 		93
(34) 		88
(31) 		90
(32) 		98
(37)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 82.1
(27.8) 		84.4
(29.1) 		85.9
(29.9) 		89.0
(31.7) 		90.9
(32.7) 		92.0
(33.3) 		92.9
(33.8) 		93.7
(34.3) 		91.9
(33.3) 		89.7
(32.1) 		85.1
(29.5) 		83.5
(28.6) 		94.1
(34.5)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 74.3
(23.5) 		76.3
(24.6) 		78.4
(25.8) 		82.4
(28.0) 		85.4
(29.7) 		88.1
(31.2) 		89.9
(32.2) 		89.8
(32.1) 		87.8
(31.0) 		84.3
(29.1) 		79.1
(26.2) 		76.0
(24.4) 		82.6
(28.1)
Daily mean °F (°C) 69.2
(20.7) 		70.9
(21.6) 		73.3
(22.9) 		77.1
(25.1) 		80.2
(26.8) 		82.9
(28.3) 		84.5
(29.2) 		84.3
(29.1) 		82.7
(28.2) 		79.9
(26.6) 		74.6
(23.7) 		71.3
(21.8) 		77.6
(25.3)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 64.1
(17.8) 		65.4
(18.6) 		68.1
(20.1) 		71.7
(22.1) 		75.0
(23.9) 		77.8
(25.4) 		79.0
(26.1) 		78.8
(26.0) 		77.7
(25.4) 		75.5
(24.2) 		70.2
(21.2) 		66.6
(19.2) 		72.5
(22.5)
Mean minimum °F (°C) 50.5
(10.3) 		52.5
(11.4) 		57.3
(14.1) 		64.1
(17.8) 		69.3
(20.7) 		72.4
(22.4) 		73.2
(22.9) 		73.6
(23.1) 		73.1
(22.8) 		68.8
(20.4) 		61.3
(16.3) 		57.4
(14.1) 		47.5
(8.6)
Record low °F (°C) 39
(4) 		44
(7) 		51
(11) 		59
(15) 		66
(19) 		68
(20) 		71
(22) 		71
(22) 		70
(21) 		59
(15) 		54
(12) 		46
(8) 		39
(4)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 1.88
(48) 		2.10
(53) 		1.68
(43) 		2.40
(61) 		3.77
(96) 		5.65
(144) 		4.77
(121) 		5.74
(146) 		7.53
(191) 		6.24
(158) 		2.23
(57) 		2.07
(53) 		46.06
(1,170)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 5.1 5.1 4.5 4.8 5.9 8.3 10.3 11.5 13.3 9.9 5.7 5.9 90.3
Source: NOAA[3][4]
  • View of the sunrise
    View of the sunrise
  • View of the Bahia Honda Rail Bridge from Bahia Honda State Park
    View of the Bahia Honda Rail Bridge from Bahia Honda State Park
  • Sunset through the Old Bridge
    Sunset through the Old Bridge
  • Magnificent frigatebird
    Magnificent frigatebird
  • Bahia Honda State Park – Old Railroad Bridge
    Bahia Honda State Park – Old Railroad Bridge
  • Old Railroad Bridge
    Old Railroad Bridge
  • Old Railroad Bridge – view of trusses
    Old Railroad Bridge – view of trusses
  • Bottlenose dolphins swimming just off the beach
    Bottlenose dolphins swimming just off the beach
  • Morning view of beach
    Morning view of beach
  • Dry seed pods
    Dry seed pods
  • Beach access
    Beach access
  • View in direction of Gulf of Mexico
    View in direction of Gulf of Mexico
  • Sunset
    Sunset
  • Panoramic view of the Bahia Honda Key and the park from the bridge
    Panoramic view of the Bahia Honda Key and the park from the bridge

References

  1. ^ Farren, R. (1999). Highroad Guide to the Florida Keys and Everglades. Highroad Guides. John F Blair Pub. p. 94. ISBN 978-0-89587-280-7. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  2. ^ a b Fodor's In Focus Florida Keys: with Key West, Marathon & Key Largo. Travel Guide. Fodor's Travel. 2017. p. pt120–122. ISBN 978-0-14-754675-3. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  3. ^ "NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  4. ^ "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Bahia Honda SP, FL". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
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