Boca Chita Key

 Monday on our way back to Ft Lauderdale, we stopped at Boca Chita (not to be confused with Boca Chica near Key West.)  This island is located between Sands Key and the Ragged Keys on Biscayne Bay's eastern shores.  We had thought about stopping there earlier in our trip but never got to it.  Wish we had!

Docking basin

Wall built with coral "stones"

This key was purchased and developed in the 30's as a private residence of Mark Honeywell of Honeywell Computers.  It was later sold to the U.S. government in 1985 and made into a park.  There is a well protected basin with wooden docks all along the walls where boats are permitted to stay overnight for a $20 fee.  Bathrooms are the only amenity besides the dock spaces and you must pack out all your trash. But in spite of that, on the Monday afternoon we were there, the place seemed quite popular.  We were told it is packed on the weekends with people coming over from Miami.

One of the buildings still standing on the key

The island is really pleasant with the ocean to the east, deep channels on the northern and southern ends, coconut palms, walking trails throughout, and nice stone work that was part of the original compound.  And there is a beautiful lighthouse that was unfortunately never permitted to be lighted.

Lighthouse at the entrance to the basin

Hermit crab

We had a fun time walking around the island, picking up shells along the beach, some of which contained little hermit crabs inside.  (Callie thought they were very interesting.)  We could have stayed another day or so if we'd had time.  It was just that kind of a place.