Freshwater oasis in a saltwater desert
The topography of the Florida Keys is unlike anywhere else in the country, let alone the state. On land, Florida hollies and their bright red berries line the streets of Overseas Highway between the peeling bark of gumbo-limbo trees and beneath the shade of scraggly Jamaican dogwoods. Driving over the water, turquoise and emerald is all you see in every direction. The waters surrounding the roads and bridges are so shallow, you can walk for hundreds of yards without getting your knees wet. It’s apparent that the Keys were birthed from the ocean on the Florida Reef, but a small oasis in the middle of Big Pine Key indicates there’s more to these rocky islands than meets the eye.
The Blue Hole is the only source of fresh water in the Keys, but it isn’t naturally occurring. At the turn of the century, Henry Flagler, industrialist and founder of the Florida East Coast Railway, was building a railroad that stretched from Florida’s mainland to Key West. During the process, limestone and other rocks were extracted for road fills. More than a century later, one particular rock quarry on Big Pine Key filled up with rainwater.
Info
Address Key Deer Boulevard, Big Pine Key, FL 33043, +1 305.872.0074 Hours Daily sunrise to sunset | Tip For those who want to get up-close and personal with South Florida’s rich biosphere, they can “Slog the Slough” in Everglades National Park. Walk waist-deep through slow-moving waters with a guide and experience the interiors of the Everglades’ many Cypress Domes, whose wildlife is very similar to that of the Blue Hole. Not for the faint of heart.
Structurally sustained by a barrier of salt water that flows underneath the fresh water, the Blue Hole has become a haven for a wide range of flora and fauna. The Key deer that populate Big Pine Key come here to quench their thirst. Birds commonly found in the Everglades, like anhingas and great blue herons, are also in residence here. Even a couple of alligators prowl the waters. The scenery is breathtaking and unique for the Keys. Instead of palm trees, there are the slash pines that typically populate the marshy regions of Florida.
The Blue Hole offers a shining example of nature gracefully co-opting a human endeavor. For an up-close view of the local wildlife and vegetation, there’s a short, easy nature trail that runs the park’s perimeter.
Back
To the online map