FLORIDA KEYS: Big Pine Key

Visit the Florida Keys and discover 140 square miles of tropical beauty and island fun right in the United States.  What's amazing is that you can actually drive to many of the Florida Keys!

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Big Pine Key

For a warm vacation without the crowds, consider some of the smaller islands in the Florida Keys. While Key West is the most well-known of the Keys, there are many smaller islands that offer great vacation opportunities. Just four miles from Bahia Honda State Park and Recreation area, often nominated as one of the most beautiful beaches in the US, you can dodge the crowds and take in the local sights of Big Pine Key.

South of the Seven Mile Bridge, you will have a chance to relax and unwind, removed from the crowded tourist bustle of the main peninsula. On the Gulf of Mexico side of Big Pine Key, there are fishing opportunities ranging from offshore fishing for sailfish and marlin to flats fishing for tarpon, grouper and shark. For those who want to make fishing the focus, there are several fishing lodges throughout Big Pine. There are also many locations where you can charter a boat for some sailing, a romantic day cruise, or a nature tour to enjoy the natural beauty of the State Park or the Key Deer Refuge.

One of the few places where Key Deer still live, is Big Pine Key, and a large part of the island is a part of the National Key Deer Refuge. Key Deer are a highly endangered subspecies of white tailed deer which are native to and only found within the Keys. This small deer has lived in contact with humans for so long that they are generally unafraid of humans, although visitors are advised to avoid trying to catch or pet them. Key Deer are most active at dawn and dusk near roadways, and are often hit by cars, so be careful when taking a driving tour. A better way to see the island without endangering the deer or your car is to do some cycling. 

Big Pine Key is home to one of the best cycling areas in the Keys, just off of Highway One. You can ride your bike through the National Key Deer Refuge on one of several bicycle trails. There are several interesting sites you can visit on the island, including the State Park, and also the Blue Hole. The Blue Hole, an abandoned rock quarry that is part of the National Key Deer Refuge, is the only freshwater lake in the Keys, and is home to many varieties of wildlife. The quarry has historical import as well, as it was once a source of some of the stone used to build the Overseas Railroad, which links mainland Florida to the Keys. 

Accommodations on Big Pine Key include RV parks and campgrounds, as well as several bed and breakfasts, so whether you want to rough it or be pampered, or something in between, you will have plenty of options. The bed and breakfasts offer many options, and can be a great choice for people looking to book a romantic getaway without the crowds. For those who are looking for shopping, there are many stores in the area, and larger opportunities in Key West, which is only a thirty-mile drive away. Whether you want to lie on a Florida beach, see some rare wildlife, or reel in a shark while fishing, Big Pine Key can accommodate you.

One of our favorite stops for exceptional dining, Little Palm Island Resort, is located nearby.

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