Sandspur Beach (Bahia Honda State Park)

Bahia Honda State Park features all necessary amenities and two award-winning beaches, one of which is the fabulous mile-long Sandspur Beach with powdery soft sand and clear turquoise water, which was repeatedly recognized as the best beach in the Florida Keys. It’s a great place for sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, and wildlife watching.

Location and Access

You can find Bahia Honda State Park at 36850 Overseas Highway on Bahia Honda Key, and Sandspur Beach is located on the Atlantic shore – to reach it, go north of the park entrance. The park is open from 8 a.m. until sunset every day all year round.

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, Sandspur Beach was temporarily closed for restoration. For more detail, please call 305-872-23-53.

Amenities

The available amenities include restrooms, outdoor showers, food concessions, watersport rentals, and camping facilities. You can also use the free 24-hour Wi-Fi at the concession building.

Swimming Conditions

The sand on Sandspur Beach is amazingly fine and soft, great for barefoot walks. Sometimes there is seaweed in the water and on the shore but even then the beach is clean and there are enough good spots to relax in the sun. The water is clear, warm, and shallow, which is good for weak swimmers and visitors with small children. Currents are mild, so you can feel quite safe in the water.

Other Activities

There are several campgrounds throughout the park offering tent, hammock, and RV camping. If you have a bike, bring it for a leisurely ride on the park’s roadways (note that biking is not permitted on boardwalks, footpaths, and the trails to the bridge top). Fishing is another popular activity in the area but it must conform to Florida’s fishing regulations.

Wildlife

Bahia Honda State Park is a great place to watch shorebirds and wading birds. During low tide, local birds gather on shallow sand flats on the ocean side of the island to feed and rest. In the water, you can spot various species of fish, lobsters, and sea stars. Wildlife lovers will also be able to learn more about the island’s flora and fauna at the Sand and Sea Nature Center.

Driving Time

• 55 minutes from Key West, FL
• 2 hours 30 minutes from Miami, FL
• 2 hours 50 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 Sandspur Beach (Bahia Honda State Park) which you can visit:

• Calusa Beach (Bahia Honda State Park) (1 mile)
• Boca Chica Beach (Geiger Key Beach) (28 miles)
• Smathers Beach (33 miles)
• Rest Beach (C.B. Harvey Rest Beach Park) (34 miles)
• Higgs Beach (34 miles)