Bahia Honda State Park
On our third day in the Florida Keys, we again left Marathon over the Seven Mile Bridge to go to Bahia Honda State Park. As you go south over the bridge and look to the left, you will see the beautiful turquoise waters where the beaches of Bahia Honda parks are located. Once in the park, you have several different beaches to choose from. We went to Logger Head Beach where you can rent a kayak for a small fee and it’s located near the restrooms, concession stand, and bathhouse. You can also book boat tours and organize snorkeling trips. On our second visit to the park, we kayaked from Sandspur Beach to the Seven Mile Bridge. We saw a coral reef from the kayaks. It was amazing to look at the reef and the living creatures that live there. Bahia Honda State Park also offers campsites for those who love to experience nature first hand. And for anglers, it’s one of the best tarpon fishing areas in the state.
National Key Deer Refuge and No Name Key
If you’re looking for a little adventure, head off the beaten path to one of the smaller Keys. Just south of the 7-mile bridge is No Name Key, which is in the heart of the National Key Deer Refuge. The miniature deer can be seen along the roads. Speed limits are strictly enforced on these roads to prevent endangered deer from being run over.
This is also a great area for kayaking. You can find some nice private areas where you can see wildlife. Another interesting site is off the beaten path, located in the vicinity of Sugarloaf Key. It is a giant man-made wooden bat tower that was built in 1929. It was made to try to attract mosquito-eating bats to combat mosquito problems in the Lower Keys. Unfortunately, the bats never made it, but the interesting structure still stands today. We also decided to make another stop at a place called the Blue Hole. It is located on Big Pine Key just off Route 1. It is a small state park that surrounds a large sinkhole filled with water where there are alligators. There are many beautiful landscapes and you can see some big birds like blue herons and egrets.
Feeding The Tarpon at Robbie’s Marina in Islamorda
My family and I decided to visit nearby Robbie’s Marina to feed the tarpon. Robbie’s is a trendy marina, restaurant, and flea market in Islamorada. The kids had fun trying to feed the tarpon. We enjoyed holding the bait up and watching these giant fish jump out of the water. The little ones and I were happy to drop some bait in the water and watch the frenzy ensue.
Doc’s Restaurant in Key Largo
Right on Route 1 in Key Largo is a great restaurant called Doc’s. It is a very nicely decorated restaurant with a beautiful wall mural spanning from Italy to New York to the Florida Keys. We stopped in and had a great breakfast. They give huge portions and everything was made fresh. I ordered a Mexican style breakfast that was off the charts for taste. I definitely recommend you give it a try if you are in the area.