Sight Big Pine Key, Bahia Honda & the Lower Keys
Blue Hole
A sight in Big Pine Key, Bahia Honda & the Lower Keys, free to visit and worth about 45 minutes. Best time to go: Morning.
Why go
A freshwater pond in an old quarry in the National Key Deer Refuge, where small Key deer and alligators are often seen.
It is one of 6 curated places we feature in Bahia Honda & the Lower Keys, alongside 3 activities, 1 place to eat and 1 sight. The closest of our other picks is No Name Pub, 1.9 mi away as the crow flies. At about 45 minutes, it slots neatly between bigger plans.
- Type
- Sight · Nature
- Neighborhood
- Big Pine Key
- Price
- Free
- Time needed
- 45 min
- Best time
- Morning
Nearby
The 5 closest curated picks in Bahia Honda & the Lower Keys, measured as straight-line distance.
- 1No Name Pub
A pizza and beer stop on a back road of Big Pine Key, its walls covered in signed dollar bills.
Food · 1.9 mi straight-line - 2Old Bahia Honda Bridge
A section of Flagler's 1912 railroad bridge inside the park, with a walkway on top that looks over the channel.
Sight · 6.8 mi straight-line - 3Bahia Honda State Park
A wide sandy beach on clear, shallow water, about 40 miles up the Overseas Highway from Key West.
Activity · 8.0 mi straight-line - 4Looe Key Reef
A shallow coral reef in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, reached by snorkel boats from Big Pine and Ramrod Key.
Activity · 11 mi straight-line - 5Old Seven Mile Bridge
A 2.2-mile walk or bike ride on the restored old bridge from Marathon out to Pigeon Key.
Activity · 14 mi straight-line
On these curated routes
Blue Hole is a stop on our Key West New Year's Eve route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.
When to go
Average daily highs in Bahia Honda & the Lower Keys run from 74°F in January to 86°F in August; September is usually the wettest month. For Blue Hole itself, we suggest: Morning.
Modelled monthly averages for Bahia Honda & the Lower Keys from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Full Bahia Honda & the Lower Keys weather by month.
Getting there
Map links open a live search for Blue Hole, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.
- Coordinates
- 24.70585, -81.38073
- Destination
- Bahia Honda & the Lower Keys, Florida
- Website
- fws.gov
Blue Hole: quick answers
How much time do you need at Blue Hole?
Plan on about 45 minutes at Blue Hole. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.
When is the best time to visit Blue Hole?
Our pick: Morning. Insider tip: Drive slowly on Big Pine; the deer cross roads, and feeding them is illegal.
Is Blue Hole free?
Yes, we list Blue Hole as free to visit. Check the official website before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.
Which TripsCircle routes include Blue Hole?
Blue Hole appears on Key West New Year's Eve, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.
Add Blue Hole to your crew's plan
Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to Bahia Honda & the Lower Keys.
Plan Bahia Honda & the Lower Keys
- Bahia Honda & the Lower Keys travel guide 6 places
- Best time to visit Bahia Honda & the Lower Keys weather by month
- Old Town & Duval Street to Bahia Honda & the Lower Keys 35 mi straight-line
Lists & regions
Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.