Description:
This park occupies all of Bahia Honda Key just east of Big Pine Key. Rare (at least in the Keys) white sand beaches front the Atlantic, backed by a lush tropical hardwood forest of gumbo limbo, satinwood, and silver palm. Daily snorkeling trips are offered off the reef at nearby Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary. There is one self-guided nature trail.
Watchable wildlife:
White-crowned pigeons can be seen throughout the year, although they are most common spring through fall. Smooth-billed anis are found here year-round, while black-whiskered vireos and mangrove cuckoos visit in the summer and fall. Migratory warblers frequent the hammock in April and October. From the beach, you will see brown pelicans, laughing gulls, ospreys, great blue herons, great white herons, and little blue herons. Winter brings white ibis, willets, western sandpipers, ring-billed gulls, and common and royal terns.
Ownership:
Department of Environmental Protection Contact:
(305) 872-2353
Directions:
Entrance is at Mile Marker 36.9 off of U.S. Highway 1 on Bahia Honda Key.
Related Sites:
Other South East Florida Wildlife Sites
Florida State Parks | |
