Bahia Honda Key — Local services in Stock Island

I'm a local born and raised and have gone to Bahia Honda many times. However, yesterday was my worst experience ever! I drove over an hour to go have a nice beach, picnic day with my children. It was myself and my two young children and a two year old. When I arrived a lady came out and said how many I told her, she then told me the price which was incorrect, she charged me for my baby which is supposed to be free, I didn't say anything I just let it go. But when I went to pay she didn't even attempt to get the money from me, she looked at me as if I was crazy. She just responded with a nasty tone we aren't breaking change you need to have the exact amount, there was no signs stating this. All I had was a $20 she then informed me I could give her a tip or go make change somewhere else. I'm from the area so I know there's nowhere near by to do that, it would be another 20 mins away. I then informed her I drove over an hour with small children in the car to have a picnic, if she could please make change? She responded with a nasty tone "don't you have a card" I told her no all I had was a $20 dollar bill she said "well I guess you can turn around because we don't make change." Luckily my 9 year old had brought her purse with her and had a smaller bill. Then when I went to pay it was a dollar or so over even after she charged me wrong I still didn't say anything I didn't want to argue. As I went to give the lady the money she rudely said just put it in the box and you don't need a receipt we're not giving them out. She then noticed I was paying an extra $1 so she said oh wanna give that as a tip or donation. I said yes, not that I even had a choice on that. It was a long drive I was tired, I just wanted a nice picnic with my children so I didn't argue. However, all our state parks are run by the same group and Long Key State Park is making change for people as we go there as well along with others. Bahia Honda is the (ONLY ONE) that is making their own rules and in my opinion its unconstitutional and discriminatory against people who don't have credit cards or carry them. My question is whats to stop them from stealing the money if its not be accounted for and they aren't putting it in the computer or giving receipts. They refuse to give change or touch the money or take it from people but who gets the money out of the box at the end of the day? Isn't that contradicting and defeating the purpose because they touch it then! Also, the place was extremely packed and no social distancing, yet their so concerned about touching money it's honestly hilarious and ridiculous! I won't be going back till they stop being so discriminatory towards people, if they're so concerned maybe they should live in a hole or quite their jobs, because they might get cooties. They're in hospitality you have to do your job and stop being so unconstitutional and take our money and give change thats your job we don't live in totalitarian government or a...

i lived in key west 1990 to 1994 and again for a few months in 1997. i did so many things while i was there, cook, diver, singer/songwriter (where my music career began & i'm still going strong), pool cleaner, theatre geek, even acting a bit, taxicab driver and traveler. i drove many times, all the way up the islands, to miami, and had many experiences on all of the keys on one gallavant, four of us, two boys, two girls stopped for the day at bahia honda state park. we were so taken with it's beauty we christened ourselves the church of the naked ocean people i'm about to turn 70 and i've lived on multiple coasts and although there have been some beautiful beaches, bahia honda has always been a special place for me. it's beauty is unparalleled, the water crystal clear and the sand snow white, at least it was when i was there and we had the whole place to...

Cost per person ranges from $3.50 per person, with price breaks for multiple people - all day access!

Parking is somewhat limited, but plenty for the park. Left side (north bend) of Bahia was blocked off today. The park has a gift shop, staff members maintaining area, restroom trailer with six stalls, and outdoor changing room stalls that allow for easy beach going! Freshwater shower available between bathrooms and changing rooms, next to gift shop. There’s a trail to walk up to the old bridge closure and take some photographs.

The beach towards US 1 has less buildup of debris, however the view from the opposite side is priceless & serene. You can walk towards the old bridge to get photos with it in the background - makes for stunning engagement...