Calusa Beach (Bahia Honda State Park)

Bahia Honda State Park features all necessary amenities and two well-maintained beautiful beaches, one of which is Calusa Beach with a separated swimming area, where you can sunbathe, picnic, swim, kayak, scuba dive, and snorkel for a reasonable admission fee from early morning until dusk.

Location and Access

Bahia Honda State Park is located at 36850 Overseas Highway on the Bahia Honda Key Island. It’s at Mile Marker 37 and there aren’t many signs to show you the right way, so slow down a bit and watch the signs carefully in order not to miss it.

The park is open throughout the year every day from 8 in the morning until dusk. The entrance fee is $4.50 per single-occupant vehicle, $8 per vehicle with 2 to 8 people, and $2.50 per pedestrian/bicyclist/extra passenger in a vehicle. There are additional fees for camping (water and electricity provided).

Be aware, that after Hurricane Irma, some parts of the park are temporarily closed due to ongoing restoration efforts. For more details, please call 305-872-23-53.

Amenities

For your convenience, there are public restrooms and cold water outdoor showers available on site. There are also picnic pavilions with grills where you can cook your own food. In case you haven’t brought anything, you can buy some snacks in the park concession.

You can also rent umbrellas, beach chairs, kayaks, and snorkeling equipment there. For boaters, there are two modern boat ramps and 19 boat slips for overnight rent with water and electricity.

Sand and Water

The sand on Calusa Beach is fine, velvety soft, and very clean. As a rule, the water is crystal clear, except for cases when the weather is windy and the waves stir the sand at the bottom.

The ocean temperature is very comfortable in the summer months, while in winter, it can go down to 70° F, which is still appropriate for cold-trained swimmers. Be aware that there are no lifeguards on site and swimming in the channel area is not allowed due to swift currents.

Scuba Diving and Snorkeling

Bahia Honda Beach offers some of the best diving and snorkeling opportunities in the Florida Keys. The water is shallow (4-6 feet), which is good for beginners. Here, you can see a variety of colorful tropical fish, spiny lobsters and queen conchs, soft corals and small coral heads. Explore the beautiful ocean and take photos!

Old Bahia Honda Bridge

This beautiful and historic place at Bahia Honda beach is great for strolling and watching picturesque sunsets.

Driving Time

• 50 minutes from Key West, FL
• 2 hours 30 minutes from Miami, FL
• 2 hours 45 minutes from Fort Lauderdale, FL

Hotels and rentals

If you're considering staying for one or even a few nights, there are plenty of options available near the beach. Chose your preferred accomodation type and your favourite room provider:

• Nearby rentals from VRBO.
• Nearby rooms and properties from Booking.com.

Beaches nearby

Additionally, there's a number of beaches near Calusa Beach (Bahia Honda State Park) which you can visit:

• Sandspur Beach (Bahia Honda State Park) (1 mile)
• Boca Chica Beach (Geiger Key Beach) (26 miles)
• Smathers Beach (32 miles)
• Rest Beach (C.B. Harvey Rest Beach Park) (33 miles)
• Higgs Beach (33 miles)