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EcoGuide Florida Keys | Big Pine
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Big Pine and the Lower Keys
by Richard H. Stewart
AUTHOR/PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Unlike the Upper and Middle districts, the Lower Keys are defined as a series of islands beginning with Little Duck Key and to the south, Ohio and Bahia Honda, home to one of the most attractive state parks in the Keys —

— and then onward to the primary residential and business area of Big Pine Key. A little further south you will find one of the Keys most pristine dive and snorkeling areas — Looe Key and the Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary.

The colorful island names continue as you head south through Little Torch, the Ramrod Key, Cudjoe Key, Saddlebunch Key, Big Coppitt, Boca Chica and finally Stock Island.

Big Pine and the Lower Keys do not share some of the same pioneering stories as with Key Largo and Marathon. This area was most known for the “big pines” that grew here, fueling a small charcoal burning industry. With a population of residents less than 40 miles away in Key West, Big Pine charcoal became the source of cooking fuel for the residents, aka the Conchs, in Key West. There are also tales of treasure hunters in Big Pine Key but, most likely, the salvaging of vessels running aground on their way to the deep water ports of Stock Island and Key West.

Today aquatic activities and nature create the area's reputation. Kayaking is one of the most popular activities along the Lower Keys and around the Western area of Big Pine Key. All along the Overseas Highway are places to pull off to the side of the road and find a reasonable launch site. Big Pine is home to Bill Keogh — one of the Keys most colorful kayak guides and author of the Florida Keys Paddling Guide.

If you are an experienced kayaker, and equipped with GPS, The Guide is filled with hundreds of coordnates, but because of the hundreds of maze-like Mangrove forests one must pay close attention to location throughout the trip. If you are new to kayaking you are best to arrange for a guided tour of the area.

When you talk Florida Keys scuba and snorkeling, it is most common to hear about the Upper and Middle Keys. But few know diving in the Lower Keys, though smaller in terms of overall area of reef system, is quite good since it is part of the Looe Key Marine National Marine Sanctuary. The reefs are healthy, the visibility is generally outstanding and the marine life as is extensive.

Snorkeling is wonderful and easy with many of the trails in 10 to 30 feet of water within proximity to the shore making it a short boat ride to the sites. Big Pine Key is also on the Wreck Trek map — home to the 220’ Adolphus Busch. Think of fishing in the Florida Keys and Islamorada comes to mind. But the Lower Keys offer virtually the same fishing options from bridges, backcountry or charter boats. The reefs are thick with Yellow Tail and Snapper and the Gulf Stream with Marlin, Tuna and Wahoo — just waiting to take the bait and give you a fight!

For nature lovers, you’re in the right place as Big Pine and No Name Keys are the locations of the National Key Deer Refuge, a 9,200 acre habitat for the endangered Key Deer. Notable for their size
averaging 28 inches and weighing in at a mere 90 pounds, the Key Deer are indigenous to only the Lower Keys.

All along the 174 square mile area between Key West and Marathon is the Great White
Heron National Refuge — home to over 170 species of birds. Looking for a beach? Then head to Bahia Honda, the 524-acre state park. The park’s landmark, the Flagler Overseas Railroad Bridge, is a engineering marvel in itself. Bahia Honda’s beauty is the sandy white beaches and the rare flora and fauna such as Yellow Satinwood, Gumbo Limbo and Silver Palms.


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