Headed to the Keys, Bahia Honda, Must see/to do??

[boys boating around]

The boys and I are headed to the Keys and will be camping at Bahia Honda State Park. I'm trailering down my 19' Four Winns bowrider and wanted to know what are the things that are a must do or see in the area. We're going to do the typical snorkeling and fishing but what else do you recommend. Also Looe Key snorkeling area, I can take my own boat out there right? I would like to take a trip to Key West it's self and I was thinking about taking our boat to Key West from Bahia Honda. Any suggestions other then watch out for the depths, best navigational route etc..... Thanks Guys

 

[gcboat]

Re: Headed to the Keys, Bahia Honda, Must see/to do??

Before we even get started on taking a trip to Key West by boat - how familiar are you with open ocean piloting??????? That is a pretty long trip in a small bowrider. You will need at a minimum one - possibly two fuel stops to get there. Have you figured your range on the boat ???
Depending on the time of the year you go, there are different things to watch out for. I just can't emphasize enough the safety issue.
I could give you a really long list of required and necessary items you will need on board but let's see how good you are on doing your homework.
Personally, I'd take the car.
The only dock space you probably find available will be at the A&B or close by. You'll need to definately call ahead for that.
Gee, did I mention you're probably better off taking the car?
As far as things to see on Bahia Honda - well there's the State Park ( obvioulsy) and some pretty neat restaurants across the street. One anyway.
Get ahold of the Chamber of Commerce for that area and do a little reading. Go with some sort of a plan - or not. I myself do the "or not" plan.
If I failed to mention I think you'll be better off taking the car to Key West.

 

[capt sam]

Re: Headed to the Keys, Bahia Honda, Must see/to do??

I'm not sure what restaurant is across the street from Bahia Honda since the Park is on both sides of US1 but you should be fine in that boat. The two bridge spans are right there which can be good fishing and the ramp is probably one of the nicer Keys ramps. I've been staying at BPK Fishing Lodge for years and fish Spanish Harbor and Summerlin Key alot. We've caught a lot of big tarpon in the summer by Bahia Honda, it's part of their migration route, there's also bonefishing on the atlantic side of the park. You could make Looe Key on a calm day, I go there in my flats boat, it's 8 miles from Bahia Honda, make sure you have a dive flag and go slow once you're around the buoys, there's a lot of snorklers swimming around and can be hard to see. You could island hop to Key West in that boat but I agree, I'd just drive if you don't know the area that well. Use the marked channels, get a chart of the area and watch the color change in the water or you'll get in some trouble fast.

 

[gcboat]

Re: Headed to the Keys, Bahia Honda, Must see/to do??

You're right Capt. Sam - there's nothing across the street from the park. Probably thinking of the marina at Big Pine. I guess when you're in the Keys a two mile - or so - drive might as well be across the street.
Thanks for the correction.

 

[capt sam]

Re: Headed to the Keys, Bahia Honda, Must see/to do??

very true, running to the store is a ten mile round trip.

 

[jeffnick]

Re: Headed to the Keys, Bahia Honda, Must see/to do??

You can get to Key West inside or outside, but either way can be a bear in a stiff wind. Just don't cut the jetty short on the inside (Florida Bay) route.

As mentioned, don't plan to find a place to dock @ KW and for my money the ramps there are useless but it is fun to scope out KW by boat as long as you don't launch there and have weather for going and coming. We usually anchor in the anchorage there. Pic at anchor.

We like to poke around Boot Key Harbor while staying at Bahia Honda. Pic of us 'on the wall' at Bahia Honda...

And/or you can go up to Pennekamp to snorkle in the underwater State Park.
http://www.pennekamppark.com/

 

[capt sam]

Re: Headed to the Keys, Bahia Honda, Must see/to do??

I wouldn't go bayside personally, especially if you don't know the waters very well. I've never docked in KW but I don't doubt what these guys are saying, it's probably a bear to find it and pricey.

 

[boys boating around]

Re: Headed to the Keys, Bahia Honda, Must see/to do??

gcboat,

Sorry I may not have been clear. We are driving down to Bahia Honda with the boat in tow. I'll be launching from Bahia Honda's ramp with the boat. I'm not that experienced to do a sea tour nor would I want to in a 19 foot bowrider. I'm more of a lakes and intercoastal guy.

Thanks guys for the tips on the fishing and the route map for motoring from Bahia Honda to Key West. I would probably agree that it would just be easier to drive from the park to Key West.

I'm looking forward to the trip and I'll let everyone how it went.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Headed to the Keys, Bahia Honda, Must see/to do??

I would not take my boat to Looe Key alone, the first time, Call Strike Zone Charters, they do a great snorkel trip for about $30.00 person. we spend August, on Little Torch Key, which is the next Key passed Big Pine. also, take the boys to the No Name Pub, it has the best Pizza, great history.

we only go to Keys west when it is absolutely necessary. if you have never been, go, but it has become a tourist trap, no longer the old Key West. plan to pay for parking, and a lot of walking. get the brochures, and decide what you want to see. But be there for the sunset show, on the bulkhead, the Catman is crazy.

http://www.catmankeywest.com/

http://www.nonamepub.com/

http://www.strikezonecharter.com/

 

[pine island fred]

Re: Headed to the Keys, Bahia Honda, Must see/to do??

Most certainly agree with the others. Take your car to KEY WEST. Hit DUVAL ST. in the evening and go watch the sunset. On your way down, make a right around yardstick 17 and go to the BAT TOWER. Big wooden tower, I find it simple but intriguing. On SUGARLOAF, look for the CESSNA parked by the road.
In the evening, BOONDOCKS is a good place to hang out. Think it is on LITTLE TORCH. Cant really recommend the food but has a lot of interesting locals at the bar. Further south is THE SQUARE GROOPER on the left, believe it is on CUDJO. Pretty good food. You are going to enjoy yourselves. regards FRED

 

[capt sam]

Re: Headed to the Keys, Bahia Honda, Must see/to do??

a second on the No Name Pub, I have an old friend that lives down the street from it and we eat there whenever I visit, I love their pizza. I think you'd be fine running out to Looe Key though on a calm day, it's only 5 miles offshore, 8 miles from BH. Just make sure you tie up to their buoys, don't try anchoring and use a dive flag.