BIG PINE KEY & BAHIA HONDA, THE LOW-KEY ISLANDS

Point of entry of the Lower Keys, Big Pine Key is connected to Marathon by the iconic Seven Mile Bridge, which was one of the longest bridges in the world when constructed in 1912, and gained worldwide fame through blockbuster movies such as Licence to Kill, True Lies, 2 Fast 2 Furious, and Mission Impossible III.

Less animated than other regions of the Florida Keys, the Lower Keys consist in a string of smaller islands such as Summerland Key, Big Torch Key, and Sugarloaf Key.

Located just ahead of Big Pine, Bahia Honda Key is home to Bahia Honda State Park, a unique natural site with magnificent beaches and world-class snorkeling.

While mostly frequented for its diving, kayaking, cycling, and wildlife-watching activities, Big Pine Key also hosts a small community of amateur astronomers enjoy the perfect local conditions.

BIG PINE KEY & BAHIA HONDA Map

A hot spot for wildlife and diving

• Reaching Big Pine Key by the East means entering in deer country, as the 30-inch all, endemic Key Deers aka "toy deer" roam around the National Key Deer Refuge, a dedicated 2,300-acre mostly untouched natural reserve.
• Remarkable freshwater sites abound in Big Pine Key, including The Blue Hole within the National Key Deer Refuge, a watery sinkhole full of fish, turtles and even alligators.
• The remarkable Bahia Honda State Park is almost worth the trip by itself, with its incredible award-winning white sand beaches.
• One of the best snorkeling and scuba diving spots in the Florida Keys, the Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary is a great place to observe coral reefs and canyons, counless tropical fishes and other marine wildlife.

OTHER FUN ACTIVITIES IN THE LOWER KEYS

• Beyond casual snorkeling, Big Pine is also a base for exciting diving expeditions around major sunk ships and wrecks like the 210-foot long Adolphus Busch.
• Built in 1929, the Bat Tower is a singular building erected to fight mosquito invasions, and although it did not work as intended, it remains a popular sight with visitors if only for an unusual photo souvenir.
• Kayaking is a popular way to explore the Lower keys and to observe a colorful wildlife especially at sunset, from the shallow lagoons of No Name Key to the eerie mangroves of Saddlebunch Keys.

CAMPING & ACCOMODATIONS

• Due to a relatively slow housing development and large tracks of wild land along the 30-miles long Lower Keys, the Big Pine area is the favorite spot for camping in all the Florida Keys.
• Many campgrounds are available throughout the Lower Keys, as well as R.V. parks coming in all sizes, from small private rentals to large premium camping resorts.
• Some of the most popular camping sites are the Sugarloaf Key KOA, the Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge and the Geider Key Park Marina but you can also stay within the Bahia Honda Sate Park which hosts three campgrounds (80 campsites) for tents and RVs.
• Besides camping, the Lower Keys have a lot to offer in terms of accomodations, from B&B's like the Barnacle Bed & Breakfast, a wide variety of private vacation rental homes and hotels in all price ranges from the laylow Parmer's Resort to the exclusive Melody Key, as well as premium tropîcal resorts such as the Little Palm Island Resort & Spa.

Latest News

• Florida Keys Teams Sweep Lower Keys Dolphin Tournament 07 Jun 2017

  Team Chase Me scored a 40.5-pound dolphin fish to take first place in the 24th annual Big Pine & Lower Keys Dolphin Tournament that ended June 4. 

• July 4 Festivities and Fireworks to Sparkle Throughout Florida Keys 02 Jun 2017

  Independence Day celebrations throughout the 125-mile-long Florida Keys island chain salute the nation’s freedom — and the quirky independent spirit of the Keys — with local parades, picnics and parties topped off by fireworks displ...

• State Parks of the Middle and Lower Keys 03 May 2017

  In the Middle and Lower Florida Keys, four unique state parks — Long Key, Curry Hammock, Bahia Honda and Fort Zachary Taylor — are easy to explore and offer some of the best recreational opportunities in the 125-mile-long island chain.

• Bat Tower on Sugarloaf Key 03 May 2017

  Behind the Lower Keys’ Sugarloaf Lodge at mile marker 17 a strange shingled tower has become a beloved local landmark. 

• Middle and Lower Florida Keys State Parks Are Protected Playgrounds 26 Apr 2017

  In the Middle and Lower Florida Keys, four unique state parks — Long Key, Curry Hammock, Bahia Honda and Fort Zachary Taylor — are easy to explore and offer some of the best recreational opportunities in the 125-mile-long island chain.

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