The
Florida Keys are not usually known for its beaches, but
Bahia Honda Beach (meaning deep bay in Spanish) at Bahia
Hinda State Park was recently rated the second most
beautiful beach in North America. It not only provides
white sandy beaches, but also tropical vegetation and a
great variety of bird life.
Beach
goers and sun loving vacationers benefit from a tropical
climate and an average annual air temperature of 75
degrees in the Florida Keys. Because of the Florida Keys'
proximity to the Gulf Stream children can enjoy
frolicking in winter ocean water averaging 76 degrees. In
spring and fall the water temperature increases to 80
degrees and by summer time the average ocean water
temperature is a tepid 85 degrees. Offshore breezes and
trade winds provide relief to summer visitors coming to
the Keys to escape the oppressive heat experienced on the
Florida mainland.
The
beach sand of the Florida Keys is composed of coral and
shell sediments which is quite different from the powered
sugar fine sand one sees on the rest of Florida's beaches
or the Bahamas. Because of this and for the convenience
and enjoyment of visitors, many resorts have chosen to
build their own protected beaches for their guests.
NOTE:
Beach Advisory Information at foot of
page.
.
Bahia
Honda State Recreation
Area
- Mile
Marker
37
Rated
one of the top ten in the country on the basis of weather
and water temperature Bahia Honda offers a beautiful
sandy beach, good swimming and snorkeling opportunities,
picnic areas, restrooms, cabins and campsites, nature
trails, boats, and windsurfing. This southernmost
recreational area in the State of Florida has actually
two beaches. The larger beach called Sandspur is located
at the northern end of Bahia Honda. Close by is the start
of the Silver Palm Nature Trail which follows the
the shore of a tidal lagoon and traverses a wooded
hammock area on its circuit back to the beach. Some rare
species of tropical plants and birds may be seen here. A
bird list is available. At the southern end of Bahia
Honda State Park visitors may walk on part of the old
Bahia Honda Bridge. Once the trestle for the old East
Coast Railroad and converted later for automobile traffic
the old bridge provides marvelous views of the recreation
area and neighboring islands. Nature Trail Brochure
available.
.
Hawk's
Cay Resort for
patrons - Mile Marker 61
This
resort built it own own protected salt water lagoon and
beach in the 1950's to meet the expectations of its
European guests. Now a favorite of all it is available
to patrons of Hawk's Cay Resort and Hawk's Cay
Village. Youngsters enjoy swimming, rafting and tubing in
the Hawk's Cay Resort's saltwater lagoon. Small kayaks
are available for rental as well. When the children tire
of splashing in the salt water of the Caribbean they have
several fresh water pools available to choose from for
variety. Hawk's Cay has FIVE pools located
throughout its 60 acres of Resort and Villa grounds. One
of these is for adults only. A favorite of children is
the small children's pirates play pool located at
the resort's Indies Club. 305-743-7000
The Beach Under Water - an extensive sand bar several hundred yards off of Valhala and Grassy Key -
This "locals" beach is perhaps one of the nicest "beaches" in the Keys, but it is only accessible by boat or kayak. The sand is white and the water warm. At low tide it is possible to set up beach chairs. Great for gatherings and raft up parties and families. Kids love to play in the water and can snorkel in comfort. Pontoon and small boat rentals are available on Grassy Key which can be anchored up at the sand bar beach. If the weather allows snorkel at Coffins Patch and then head back in to the "beach under the water" for family fun.
.
Long
Key State Recreational
Area
- MM 67.5
Camping
and picnic areas, restrooms, beach, also some of the best
sport fishing in the Florida Keys. For children the park
offers several nature trails for those who enjoy both
walking and canoeing. Children will enjoy paddling and
marvel at the tidal lagoon on the Long Key Lakes Canoe
Trail which takes about an hour to journey. A
self-guided tour brochure is available which describes
the mangroves, ecology and wading and marine life to be
seen along the way. For walkers "The Golden Orb
Trail", named after a native spider, takes about 40
minutes to walk and offers a wealth of ecological
information. Nature Trail Brochure available.
.
John
Pennekamp Coral Reef State
Park
- MM 102.5
General
Park information - 305-451-1202
John
Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is the first undersea
park in the United States. The park contains a wide
variety of tropical marine life, vegetation, and shore
birds. Visitors especially appreciate viewing the coral
formations and related marine life. Children will enjoy
the Visitor's Center with its natural history exhibits
and 30,000 gallon aquarium. They can swim at Cannon
Beach, canoe or kayak. SEE Kayak Section Also
available are paddle boats $15/hr. and spyaks $15/hr.
which offer viewing wells. Guided nature walks along the
park's Mangrove and Tamarind trails are offered
seasonally. Glass bottom boat tours, snorkel tours, and
sailing and snorkeling tours are described under the Boat
Tour and Snorkel sections.
Holiday Isle Resort and Marina - MM 84 Oceanside, Islamorada - two resort beaches available to the general public, more appropriate for the older teen, restrooms available
Anne's Public Beach - MM 73.5 oceanside swimming in shallow water, long stretch of beach, some consider it the second best beach in the Keys, wooden walkway and sheltered picnic area, restrooms, info 305-296-1552
Beach behind the Islamorada Library - MM 81.5, Islamorada, restrooms, playground, and shower
Marathon's Sombero Beach - Sombrero Beach is located end of Sombrero Road, part sand and partly hardened coral surface. Restrooms, pavillion style shaded picnic tables, playgrounds, and showers. A truly beautiful beach facility.
Little Duck Key Beach -MM 39 - , once known as Duck Key County Park, now Veterans Memorial Park has restrooms shallow bathing, picnic shelters, grills 305-295-4385
.
Harry
Harris Park
- Tavenier - MM 92.5
Admission
to this park is $5 to nonresidents on weekends and
national holidays. Kids get use not only a small beach
but a playground, ball field, volleyball area, picnic
grounds, and an inline skating park. US 1 to Burton
Drive, then several miles to park entrance.
305-852-7161
.
Cheeca
Lodge
for patrons - MM
82
- Islamorada
Cheeca
Lodge offers 1100 feet of beach facing on the ocean for
patrons interested in sun bathing. To swim you must wade
out some distance. Splitting the beach front is long
fishing pier where boats with less than a 3 foot draft
can dock. For swimming Cheeca offers a man-made salt
water lagoon and a serpentine pool close to the main
lodge. A second rectangular fresh water pool for guests
located closer to the tennis courts is set back from the
ocean and closer to some of the villas. 1-800-
327-2888
.
Florida
Keys Beach Advisories
Beaches
in the Keys are tested twice monthly for coliform and
entrococcus bacteria. Water quality test results are
published in the Florida Keys Keynoter. The Monroe
County Health Department has a beach information hotline
at 305-293-1653 or 1-877-892-9585. Results of testing can
also be seen online at http://www.doh.st.fl.us
You can monitor all Florida beaches through the state website. The web address is
www.doh.state.fl.us.
Go to the pull-down menu and click on beach water quality, then click on the appropriate county.
A link for Monroe County is
http://esetappsdoh.doh.state.fl.us/irm00beachwater/beachresults.aspx?county=Monroe
A link to all Florida County beach testing is
http://esetappsdoh.doh.state.fl.us/irm00beachwater/default.aspx
KEY WEST BEACHES
A recent survey conducted jointly by National Geographic Traveler magazine and the Web site Yahoo! Travel scores the beaches that line Key West's shores among the top 10 popular favorites in the United States. The city's beaches were ranked seventh in the online "top sands" survey. Results from the survey were printed in National Geographic Traveler's July/August 2003 issue and at travel.yahoo.com/beach website. Cleanliness, scenery panorama, climate and water temperature were factors influencing respondents' choices. Key West's beaches ranked seventh. Other locals ranked in the top ten were Miami; Waikiki and Kaanapali, Hawaii; St. Thomas and St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Key West's beaches include Smathers, stretching beside South Roosevelt Boulevard, Higgs Beach and Rest Beach, adjacent to the White Street Pier, and Fort Zachary Taylor State Park.
Fort Zachry Taylor State Historical Site - A good choice for kids, Fort Zachry Park has educational information board describing local marine life placed along winding park path. Enter through Truman Annex on Southard Street - Key West. Open daily 8 a.m. -sunset, nice beach and picnic area - 305-292-6713, Can swim, picnic or fish. Beach is somewhat rocky, but the area has trees for shade, cooking grills, picnic tables, a concession stand and bathrooms. Admission $1.50 per person, "conchs" refer to this beach as the best in Key West. 305-292-6713
Smather's Beach - A1A , west of Key West Airport and South Roosevelt Blvd., Key West - Restrooms, shady, white, sandy beach, southernmost beach in the United States,concession equipment rentals - chairs, towels, snorkling equipment and even catamarans, food and beverages vendors, picnic tables, covered pavilions, showers and bathrooms and near many large tourist accommodations.
Simonton Beach - Key West-- small beach tucked between the Pier House and the Hyatt - this public beach is closed and off limits due loitering of homeless, aggressive panhandlers, no security
Higgs Memorial Beach - Reynolds Street and White Street, Key West - Open daily, sunrise - 11 p.m. swimming, fishing areas, tennis and racquetball courts, picnic area, fast-food restaurant on the beach.
LOWER KEYS
Marvin Key - "Skinny Water Sandbar Beach" - This "locals" sandbar beach is only accessible by boat and only visible when the tides are low. At low tide it is possible to set up beach chairs. Marvin Key is part of four small keys about 6 miles north of t5hge Overseas Highway/ U.S. Highway 1.
The website, bootkeyharborharbor.com provides pictures and information about Marvin Key.
ACTIVITIES
and PLACES
TO VISIT
for CHILDREN
and
FAMILIES
in the FABULOUS
FLORIDA KEYS
To
find out more about Kids' activities and places to see
to make your children's visit to the Keys a rewarding
and worthwhile experience, CLICK on the links in the
navigtion bar to the left or provided below.
BEACHES
AND PARKS FOR
KIDS
IN
THE
FLORIDA
KEYS