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| Looking out towards the entrance to Boca Chita |
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| Inside the Harbor at Boca Chita |
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| View from a mangrove trail at Boca Chita |
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| Palm trees along one of the many paths |
Boca Chita makes for a great destination during one of our week long charters. It not only offers us a perfect docking scenario where we can play around doing "touch-and-go's" as part of our ASA teachings but as a place to stretch your legs after being on the boat for a few hours. It has a little of something to appeal to everyone whether its enjoying it's wildlife of birds, hermit crabs, and lizzards, hiking along its mangrove trails, or just sitting under a palm tree taking in its peaceful surroundings.
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| Sunset at Boca Chita |
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| The "Olivette" |
--There are a few interesting rumors concerning Mr. Honeywell's wives' deaths. Wife 1: Mr. Honeywell got into a fight with his wife, Olive, at the top of the lighthouse and pushed her off, and a few months later she died from her injuries. Wife 2: Mr. Honeywell passed away in his 90s and a few years later the thermostat in wife #2 (Eugenia's) home (made by Mr. Honeywell's company) malfuncioned, killing her and burning the house to the ground. Although neither story has been proven to be true, it still makes for an interesting twist for the island! ;)
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| My favorite view on the island. |
Today there are quite a few of Honeywell's structures still standing. The original wooden summer home burnt down in the 1960s and in 1992 a Hurricane destroyed much of the island. Some of the structures left include its light house, cannons that were salvaged from various wrecks in Biscayne Bay, a pavilion that was once used to host parties, and many cistern buildings. Each building is made from coral stone and has an "old world" style island charm to it.
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| Boca Chita Lighthouse |
The lighthouse at Boca Chita stands 65' tall and was said to be built so Honeywell's boat captain would have a landmark to use as a navigational bearing through the shallow shoals surrounding the island. When the lighthouse was first finished, it was lit, but not for very long. As Honeywell was building his lighthouse he forgot to register it with the lighthouse registry and since it was not chartered, it was considered a navigational hazard to navigation and was extinguished. To this day the lighthouse is still unlit.
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| Boca Chita is one of my favorite places to visit. Beautiful sunsets at night and a great way to spend your mornings with a cup of coffee! |
