Lower Keys

National Key Deer Refuge Big Pine Key on Key Deer Boulevard off MM 30

Fees: I can't find any fees listed.

The Key deer are a wild species, and are not confined to any specific area. They are visible throughout Big Pine and No Name Keys, and are scattered on surrounding islands. They are most active at dusk and dawn and remain in the confines of the cool pine rocklands during the heat of the day. Unfortunately, due to illegal feeding, Key deer can be found foraging on the sides of most roads and eagerly approach slow moving vehicles for hand-outs. Roadside feeding kills Key deer as it draws them to hazardous roadways, and concentrates populations facilitating the spread of parasites and disease. Begin your adventure at the Visitor Center in the Big Pine Key Plaza off Key Deer Boulevard.

Facts about the Key deer:

The Key deer are the smallest of the 28 subspecies of Virginia white-tailed deer. Bucks range from 28 inches to 32 inches at the shoulder and weigh an average of 80 pounds. Does stand 24 to 28 inches at the shoulder and weigh an average of 65 pounds.

Experts think the Key deer migrated from the mainland to the Keys thousands of years ago. They are not found anywhere else in the world.

In 1922, the deer had a range of 60 miles from Duck Key to Key West. They are now isolated to a 6-mile area with most of the population on Big Pine Key.

The Key deer population dropped to less than 50 animals in the 1940s.

For more information click here Key Deer.

Big Pine Key Flea Market

Fees: Free to browse

On Big Pine Key just south of the only traffic light in town on U.S. 1 Open Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to noon: it’s free to browse. Most active during season.

Bahia Honda State Park

Fees: $5.00 per carload, up to eight people. Pedestrians and Bicyclists - Entrance Fee is $1.00 per person.

Beaches
Bahia Honda has several white sandy beaches for you to enjoy.

Calusa is the smallest beach; it is located on the northwest side of the island. There are several small pavilions in this area and a bathhouse with outdoor, fresh water showers.

Loggerhead is the shallowest beach and is located on the south side of the island. It is known for the large shallow sand bar just a few feet offshore. It shares the same bathhouse with the Calusa beach.

Sandspur is the largest beach; it is located on the southeast end of the island. There are three large pavilions in the Sandspur area and a bathhouse with outdoor, fresh water showers.

Birding
Bahia Honda is a very good place to see wading birds and shorebirds. There are shallow sand flats during low tide on the ocean side of the island where the birds feed and rest. A variety of shorebirds including Willets, Sanderlings, Ruddy Turnstones, Short-billed Dowitchers and Plovers may be seen along the shore feeding and resting. Several species of wading birds may be seen in the park as well. These include Great White Herons, Great Blue Herons, Tri-colored Herons, Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets and White Ibis. During the fall hawk migration, from mid-September to mid-November you will see a variety of hawks soaring overhead. The endangered White-crowned Pigeon can also be seen feeding and resting in the Poisonwood trees during the summer months.