Bahia Honda State Park

The Bahia Honda State Park is a state park in the U.S. state of Florida. The 212 -acre park is located on the island of Bahia Honda Key, an island in the Florida Keys 19 km south of Marathon. It lies west of the Seven Mile Bridge. Through the park of the Overseas Highway, U.S. Highway 1 leads

History

Bahia Honda comes from the Spanish word meaning " deep bay ". The island of Bahia Honda Key belonged to the Florida East Coast Railway by Henry Morrison Flagler. The route of the railway is used today as U.S. Highway 1 once over 1.5 kilometers long, Old Bahia Honda Bridge is reminiscent of Flagler's Railroad, because of the up to 12 meters deep water off the island was the construction of the bridge one of the most expensive in the construction of railway line. After the construction of a new road bridge part of the old bridge was removed in 1972 to facilitate boat traffic. From the walk part of the bridge today offers visitors a panoramic view of the island and adjacent waters. After the completion of the Overseas Highway in the 50s of the 20th century Bahia Honda Key served as a County Park. Despite its lack of infrastructure, he was a popular destination for picnicking and swimming. The state park was established in 1961, when the state acquired the first five acres of land at Bahia Honda. In 1992, the beaches of Stephen Leatherman aka Dr. Beach in its ranking of America's Best Beaches were referred to as the best beach in the USA.

Geology

Bahia Honda is located in the transition between the northeast and the southwest limestone islands coral islands of the Florida Keys.

Flora and Fauna

Bahia Honda is an excellent place to observe sea birds and waders. Roseate Spoonbill, Brown pelicans, blue herons or Turnstone occur among many other species. In 2000, turtles were first observed at Bahia Honda, which are very rare in Florida, while otherwise rather the loggerhead turtle are native to Bahia Honda. At Bahia Honda in 1999 Butterflies of Miami Bläulinge, a Bluebird subspecies, discovered that was already considered extinct. Bahia Honda is a botanical treasure. Due to wind, waves and birds plant seeds were carried from the Caribbean on the island, so that it has a unique Caribbean vegetation for the Florida Keys. The Silver Palm Trail at Sandspur Beach performs the largest stock of silver palm trees in the United States.

Activities

The use of state parks is not included. The park is known for its four kilometers of white sandy beaches, which are among the most beautiful in Florida:

• Calusa on the northwest side has bathrooms with outdoor showers and small pavilions
• Loggerhead on the south side of the island has a large offshore sand bank and therefore a very shallow beach.
• The largest beach is sandy lane, it lies at the southeastern end of the island and also has bathrooms with outdoor showers.

In the park there are three fully equipped campsites on the beach are some cottages. Kayaks and snorkeling equipment can be rented. For coral reef boat trips. Anglers can fish on the beach or by the old railway bridge. The park has two boat ramps and a mooring. Through the park, a five -kilometer road on which you can explore the park by bike. Rangers offer introductions for nature lovers in the animal and plant life and the history of the Overseas Highway.