Bahia Honda, Florida-Bahia Honda State Park

We had really hoped to be able to stay at Bahia Honda State Park. All of the internet reviews and many of the people we had spoken to said it was THE place to go. A year ago, we tried to make reservations here but they were snatched up as soon as they became available. But, thanks to Greg's great skill and a bit of luck, a spot opened up a couple of weeks before we got there, for the exact week we needed!  Yay! And I have to add, it was one of the best spots in the campground. We backed right up to the water with gorgeous blue water views of the seven mile bridge!

The park was constantly full of people with a line of RVs out the gate hoping to get a spot. The beach was the most beautiful blue you could imagine and there was plenty to do.

There was; however, one big negative for me: BUGS! They were tiny biting gnat type bugs and they were present ALL day long. I really hate sticky, nasty bug spray even more so when it only slightly improves the situation.

But if you can put the bugs aside, it was great fun. We swam at the beach a little (unfortunately you had to drive or bike there), enjoyed some ice cream at the marina,

fished from behind our campsite, 

walked along a bridge to watch the sunset,

 rode our bikes all around the park and walked along the beaches that stretched forever!

The most fun we had at the park was kayak fishing. Greg and the kids (one at a time) fished from one kayak and I paddled another kayak around with the kid who wasn't fishing. 

Not long after we went out a little ways, Greg caught a bonnet head shark and then not long after that another! Jacob caught a fish as well but I am unsure of the type. I must say, it was a little scary watching sharks swim around your kayak!!

And later while fishing behind the RV, Jacob spotted a nurse shark which Greg immediately caught!  Now who's ready to jump in the water?!

While we are always surrounded by wildlife, it seemed quite abundant here. We saw Great White Herons and other birds, man of wars, a starfish, urchins, a shrimp, a snake, an alligator, a turtle, and the aforementioned nurse shark and bonnet head sharks. And none of those were in a tank, they were all in their natural habitat.

 (Jordan was leading the hike when she came upon this one!)

 (This guy was a little scary.  He was across the pond and when he spotted us he immediately made his way over to us.  Fortunately we were out of reach.)

Key deer, which are a subspecies of white-tailed deer are found only in the Florida Keys. They are the smallest deer and stand on average of 24 to 32 inches at the shoulder.  Just across the seven-mile bridge from Bahia Honda is Big Pine Key and the National Key Deer Refuge.  We took some time exploring some of the trails and while we saw lots of wildlife, we sadly missed out on the Key Deer (except for this one at the visitor's center).

It was truly a beautiful place!