Bahia Honda State Park
People come to the Florida Keys for many reasons: exploring the rich underwater wildlife, fishing, crossing the Seven Mile Bridge, and museum (or bar) hopping in Key West. For me? Well, I simply love being by the water, be it ocean-side (the Atlantic Ocean) or bay-side (Florida Bay which connects to the Gulf of Mexico).
In the Florida Keys…
the beaches are lined with palm trees
some are gracefully curved
with a hammock tied between them
gently swaying as I looked up and let go of all the day’s troubles.
The water is clear and shallow
and on a gorgeous day, the blue sky and water meet seamlessly on the horizon.
On Bahia Honda State Park’s Calusa Beach, I marveled at Henry Flagler’s old Overseas Railroad
and watched a couple stand up paddleboard.
Then one afternoon, the storm clouds descended on the Keys
and brought rain and high winds that would last for a day.
Once the sun shined again
it was time for Lazy Days’ lunch, toes dipped in the sand.
In the Florida Keys…
we celebrate sunsets
and love that will last for eternity.
Photo locations: Bahia Honda State Park; Coconut Palm Inn; Lazy Days Restaurant; Kona Kai Resort, Gallery and Botanic Gardens; and Robbie’s of Islamorada.
Which picture do you like best? What is your favorite beach in the world?
Note: We have added this blog post to the #SundayTraveler, where you will find a collection of travel stories and recommendations from around the world.
The Dessert Engineer 
Beautiful photos! I’ve been saying I will visit the Keys next time I’m in Florida. It looks wonderful. I love being by the water also. My favorite photos is the sunset (of course). Great composition with the chairs. I would like to get more photos of storms over the water. I think it looks so dynamic. Thanks so much for stirring up my need to go there! 😉
Posted by Aperture Of My Soul | March 9, 2014, 12:59 amThanks for stopping by, Nancy! I have been to Florida dozens of times, but never made the drive through the FL Keys until last month. It’s definitely worthwhile, and there are so many things to do/see.
Posted by fallequinox2006 | March 9, 2014, 1:42 amGorgeous photos! I’m not much of a hang-outon-the-beach-person, but I do appreciate the nature and the scenery and like to explore. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by Ace CB @ Life in Dutch | March 9, 2014, 8:04 amBahia Honda looks like a wonderful destination – definitely inspiring me to travel to Florida! Also, that is an excellent shot of the sunset.
Posted by davidpcole | March 9, 2014, 8:57 amWhat lovely pictures. My MIL lives in Florida so we have been to the Keys a couple of times. Definitely my fave part of FLA! 🙂
Posted by bavariansojourn | March 9, 2014, 9:36 amThis is awesome, so many people don’t know about the great beaches in the Keys. My parents moved from Colorado to the Keys over 15 years ago, and we have been going at least 3 times a year ever since. My kids and I love it and Bahia Honda rocks, and is so gorgeous! Loved your post! Thank you for sharing!
Posted by basketslife | March 9, 2014, 9:37 amAhhh, wow! I want that hammock :). I was thinking of planning a trip to Florida sometime in the next couple of years, so I think the Keys will definitely have to be included!
Posted by Molly S | March 9, 2014, 11:46 amWhat beautiful photos – makes me feel like I’m almost there! What I wouldn’t give to be relaxing in a hammock there right now. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Posted by Lauren | JustinPlusLauren | March 9, 2014, 7:57 pmGorgeous photos! My favorite is the one with the sunset. I’ve spent quite sometime in Florida (especially Tampa area and Key West), and I have such a great memories from my time there.
Posted by frankaboutcroatia | March 9, 2014, 8:11 pmGreat summary in photos (loved the hammock one). greetings from Barcelona
Posted by Elena (http://gonewiththebackpack.blogspot.com/ ) | March 10, 2014, 11:39 amwow, what a paradise! Would love to visit!
Posted by Margherita | March 10, 2014, 11:39 amI really enjoyed your pictures! I am heading to the Florida Keys at the end of Sept and I can hardly wait.
Posted by theegetawaygal | March 10, 2014, 1:32 pmFavorite pics? Hammock and sunset. Lovely!! I only went to Daytona Beach in Florida but want to explore more of Florida.
Posted by mytanfeet | March 10, 2014, 4:22 pmHi, amazing sunset photo!, I could spend a whole day in that hammock!
Posted by Aaron @ addictive backpacking | March 10, 2014, 4:55 pmI’ve been to Florida more times than I can count, but never the Keys. Gorgeous Photos! Thanks for linking up to the #SundayTraveler 🙂
Posted by ahubbard10 | March 10, 2014, 6:08 pmI have never been to Florida, and after looking at your photos I have no idea why!
Posted by codowd | March 10, 2014, 6:54 pmlove these pics…and i do love the hammock in the palm trees!!
Posted by clay weir | March 10, 2014, 7:10 pmHammocks, palm trees and beautiful ocean! It doesn’t get much better than that!
Posted by Jules and Christine (@DontForget2Move) | March 10, 2014, 10:26 pmLoved the sunset picture! It just looks so peaceful.
Posted by iputmylifeonashelf | March 11, 2014, 12:34 amBeautiful beaches, wonderful sea, amazing sunsets and a hammock, you can’t expect more than that for perfect relax!
Posted by surfingtheplanet | March 11, 2014, 11:47 amGorgeous! It looks like paradise. Thanks for linking up to the #SundayTraveler!
Posted by Adelina | PackMeTo | March 11, 2014, 6:15 pmDo you ever take a bad photo – what a stunning collection. Looks like I need to get to Florida asap. –
Posted by SJ @ Chasing the Donkey | March 11, 2014, 8:22 pmYou are really making me want to visit the Keys! I think my favorite has to be that sunset, though I love the idea of going over those long, flat bridges. (But with someone else driving!)
Posted by Jess | March 12, 2014, 10:18 amAlthough I lived in south Florida for many years, I’ve only made trips all the way down to Key West. When I go back, I know now that i have see some of the keys in between!
Posted by She Dreams of Travel | March 12, 2014, 4:06 pmGreat sunset shot! I would love to be hanging out in one of those chairs watching. : D
Posted by Where's Pablo | March 12, 2014, 5:14 pmI love the sunset photo, really good!! I haven’t really thought about going to Florida (seems expensive!) but it looks nice
Posted by Jon @ jonistravelling.com | March 12, 2014, 5:25 pmAmazing photos! You two make a great couple!
Posted by Raphael Alexander Zoren | March 12, 2014, 8:40 pmAwwww… thank you!
Posted by fallequinox2006 | March 12, 2014, 8:47 pmBeautiful pictures. I have always wanted to go to Florida but the high profile cases they have had late have made me think twice about passing by there. As beautiful as it is.
PISA | GATEWAY TO TUSCANY
Posted by Bianca Malata (@ItsAllBee) | March 12, 2014, 9:03 pmBeautiful photos, you’ve captured the Florida Keys in a really brilliant way. I almost feel that I know it better despite never visiting! Great post 🙂
Posted by katefrankiebrennan | March 13, 2014, 10:02 pmMy favorite is the sunset photo. I live in southern florida and enjoy going to the florida keys often. Great pictures!!!
Posted by CarmensTravelTips | March 17, 2014, 2:30 pmI love the pink dress. And the beaches are nice too haha, it needs to be added to my bucket list!
Posted by Tiffanyiffany | March 17, 2014, 5:20 pmGorgeous pictures here!! Always love visiting Florida in the summer for a relaxing vacation, we primarily go to the FL Panhandle (Destin) but over the last few years we have sampled Miami and Tampa. Still never ventured as far south as the Keys so that’s certainly up there on our list.
Posted by Chris Boothman | March 19, 2014, 12:23 am