Biscayne Nationwide Park protects one of many largest reef programs on the earth. This park is 95% water, so the easiest way to discover it’s by boat, making it very distinctive from most of the US nationwide parks. If you happen to love snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming, or just cruising round by boat, you’ll love this underrated gem of park. On this information, we cowl one of the best issues to do in Biscayne Nationwide Park, with a number of suggestions that will help you plan your go to.
Tips on how to Go to Biscayne Nationwide Park
Attention-grabbing Information about Biscayne Nationwide Park
Geography and Maps of Biscayne Nationwide Park
Greatest Issues to Do
Tips on how to Get Right here
Tips on how to Get Across the Park
Planning Your Time
When to Go
The place to Keep
Plan Your Go to
Whereas in Biscayne Nationwide Park, please observe the seven ideas of Go away No Hint: plan forward, keep on the path, pack out what you deliver to the mountaineering path, correctly get rid of waste, go away areas as you discovered them, reduce campfire impacts, be thoughtful of different hikers, and don’t strategy or feed wildlife.
Attention-grabbing Information about Biscayne Nationwide Park
Biscayne Nationwide Park is positioned in southern Florida. It’s simply 15 miles away from Miami, but it surely appears like a wholly totally different world.
This park protects Biscayne Bay, its offshore barrier reefs, and the northernmost part of the Florida Keys. There are over 250 sq. miles of water and little or no land on this park.
What’s a “key?” The time period “key” comes from the Spanish phrase “cayo,” which suggests “small island.” Keys are fashioned on the floor of a coral reef. The Florida Keys stretch from Biscayne Bay to Dry Tortugas Nationwide Park. There are over 800 keys spanning 180 miles.
4 distinct ecosystems may be present in Biscayne Nationwide Park: the coral limestone keys, shoreline mangrove swamps, the offshore Florida reef, and the shallow waters of Biscayne Bay.
Manatees, inexperienced sea turtles, hawksbill sea turtles, sponges, quite a few species of birds and fish, and even American crocodiles may be seen in Biscayne Nationwide Park.
The Glades folks inhabited this space 10,000 years in the past. Within the 1500’s, the Spanish arrived and took management of this area. Shipwrecks occurred steadily, as ships hit the coral reefs and shallow waters simply off the Florida coast.
Within the 1800’s, the primary settlements have been on Elliott Key. Pineapples and key limes have been grown right here. Through the early 1900’s, Cocolobo Cay Membership was constructed on Adams Key. John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, and Lyndon Johnson all visited Adams Key within the mid-1900’s. Elliott Key was even utilized by the CIA for coaching after the Cuban Revolution of 1959.
In 1968, this space grew to become a nationwide monument after which formally grew to become a nationwide park on June 28, 1980. In 2020, 400,000 folks visited this park, placing it thirty sixth out of 63 parks, by way of visitation.
Geography and Maps of Biscayne Nationwide Park
95% of Biscayne Nationwide Park is water. There are some things you are able to do proper from the Dante Fascell Customer Heart, however to really discover this park, you’re going to want a ship. This offers you entry to the offshore reefs (nice snorkeling and diving spots), the keys, and the Jones Lagoon mangrove swamp.
Beneath is a map from the Nationwide Park Service.
Right here is our interactive map, highlighting the primary issues to do in Biscayne Nationwide Park.
Tips on how to Use This Map: Click on the icons on the map to get extra details about every focal point. Click on the star subsequent to the title of the map so as to add this map to your Google Maps account. To view it in your telephone or laptop, open Google Maps, click on the menu button, go to “Your Locations,” click on Maps, and you will note this map in your record.
Greatest Issues to Do in Biscayne Nationwide Park
Beneath we record 10 issues to do in Biscayne Nationwide Park. A few of these we liked however a number of issues on this record I believe are value skipping. I’m together with them, simply so they exist.
#1 Stroll the Convoy Level Jetty Path
Distance: 0.8 miles | Problem: Straightforward | Time: half-hour
This simple strolling path is without doubt one of the few issues you are able to do in Biscayne Nationwide Park with out first hopping into a ship. Beginning on the customer heart, you’ll stroll out on a jetty to the Colonial Chook Safety Space.
This path was closed for repairs throughout our go to however from what we noticed, it appears like a really good, simple stroll by means of some mangrove timber with good views of Biscayne Bay.
#2 Go to Boca Chita Key
Boca Chita Secret is probably the most visited key within the park. That is one in all our favourite spots within the park and a go to right here is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Biscayne Nationwide Park.
The one approach to get right here is by boat. As you pull into the harbor, you’ll first be greeted by the enduring lighthouse that was constructed by Mark Honeywell within the 1930’s. If you happen to go to Boca Chita on a tour, a park ranger will assist you to climb to the highest of the lighthouse. In any other case, it’s closed to guests.
Stroll the half-mile path that loops across the island. It’s a very good stroll, with views of close by Sands Key.
View of Sands Key from the mountaineering path.
Mountain climbing path on Boca Chita.
There may be additionally a picnic space and a small, lovely seashore that’s definitely worth the go to.
There are restrooms on Boca Chita Key, however no water. Pack out all trash and produce each sunblock and mosquito repellent. Mosquitoes are current all 12 months.
Boca Chita Picnic space and campsites
Palm tree on Boca Chita
#3 Go to Adams Key
Adams Key was a getaway for Presidents Nixon, Johnson, and Hoover, who have been visitors on the Cocolobo Membership. Now, this very small secret’s day use space for guests to the park.
There’s a 1-mile mountaineering path that loops round this key that we tried to hike. We don’t advocate it. Once we did this in 2021, a lot of the path was overgrown and it dead-ended in a forest. There wasn’t something enjoyable or scenic about mountaineering this path.
The mountaineering path.
Adams Secret is definitely worth the go to if you wish to see the historic buildings, however in any other case, I’d skip Adams Key and do a few of the different issues on this record.
#4 Go Kayaking or Stand Up Paddle Boarding in Jones Lagoon
This is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Biscayne Nationwide Park…simply ensure you lather on the mosquito repellent!
This lagoon, which is on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations, is made up of Totten Key and Porgy Key, and the shallow waterways between them. Within the 1800’s, the Jones household grew pineapples and key limes right here.
The Jones household is lengthy gone however this quiet spot is without doubt one of the greatest locations in Biscayne Nationwide Park to go kayaking or SUP. Since these waterways are positioned away from the deeper canals and motorboat site visitors, it is a peaceable expertise.
To get right here, you’ll cruise by means of Caesar Creek after which enter the lagoon through Hurricane Creek.
As you paddle by means of the mangrove swamps, hold a lookout for sharks, sea turtles, and fish.
Mangrove timber
Paddling by means of these tree tunnels is lots of enjoyable!
We did this with the Biscayne Nationwide Park Institute. Our 3.5-hour tour included transportation to and from the Dante Fascell Customer Heart by boat, our paddle boards, and a information. We have been the one ones on this tour, so it was simply me, Tim, and our information, paddling by means of mangrove swamps.
I liked the expertise although I bought torn up by mosquitoes. We did this in December, and I underestimated what number of mosquitoes would nonetheless be out and about. Sadly, I ended up coated in bites…Tim, not a lot.
So, professional journey tip, lather on the mosquito repellent earlier than visiting Jones Lagoon, or any of the keys, as a result of we noticed (and felt) these little guys all over the place.
Paddle boards on the Biscayne Nationwide Institute boat.
#5 The Maritime Heritage Path
Biscayne Nationwide Park, with its shallow waters and reef system, is residence to quite a few shipwrecks, many of those from the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.
The Maritime Heritage Path is a sequence of six of those shipwrecks that may be explored by snorkeling or scuba diving.
We snorkeled across the Mandalay shipwreck. The schooner Mandalay sank in 1966, so it is without doubt one of the latest shipwrecks on the path. Not solely did we see a portion of the sunken hull, however there are tons of fish and plenty of coral right here.
For extra details about the Maritime Heritage Path, go to the Nationwide Park Service web site.
#6 Snorkel at Fowey Rocks Lighthouse
Fowey Rocks Lighthouse, additionally referred to as the “Eye of Miami,” is a historic lighthouse positioned in Biscayne Nationwide Park.
It was constructed in 1876 to mark the reef. A Fresnel lens was in-built Paris and put in on this lighthouse in 1878. The unique Fresnel lens is now on show on the US Coast Guard’s Nationwide Aids to Navigation Coaching Heart in Yorktown, Virginia. At present, a solar-powered mild is put in within the lighthouse and may be seen as much as 17 miles away.
Not solely is that this a historic spot to go to however the snorkeling is superior. We noticed an unimaginable variety of fish right here, clustered across the metallic pilings. Fowey Rocks Lighthouse is one in all our favourite locations in Biscayne Nationwide Park.
#7 Snorkel or Scuba Dive on the Off-Shore Reefs
The coral reefs that sit to the east of Boca Chita, Elliott, and Adams Keys are a great spot to go snorkeling or diving. Quite a few shipwrecks, which I discussed earlier as a part of the Maritime Heritage Path, will also be discovered alongside this reef.
In Florida, we’ve snorkeled at Biscayne Nationwide Park, Dry Tortugas Nationwide Park, and the John Pennecamp Coral Reef State Park. Biscayne is our favourite of those three places.
Within the park, there are lots of spots to select from. We snorkeled at Mandalay shipwreck, Fowey Rocks Lighthouse, and, on the reef, at Bache Shoal. Anniversary Reef additionally got here extremely really helpful by the park rangers on the customer heart.
Bache Shoal
To go snorkeling, you’ll be able to be a part of one in all many excursions supplied by the Biscayne Nationwide Park Institute. There may be additionally a non-public constitution that may take you across the park as nicely. When you’ve got your personal boat, you need to use the mooring buoys positioned on the reefs. For a full record of snorkeling spots and mooring buoys (with GPS coordinates), go to the Nationwide Park Service web site.
For extra details about hiring a constitution or becoming a member of a tour, skip forward to the Tips on how to Get Round part of this information.
#8 Cruise by means of Stiltsville
Within the 1930’s, when alcohol and playing have been unlawful, small buildings have been constructed offshore of Miami. These constructions have been residence to golf equipment, bars, and playing halls, forming an offshore getaway and celebration spot. At its top, there have been a complete of 27 buildings in Stiltsville.
Now, only some stay. Hurricane Andrew left solely seven buildings intact, and only recently, one caught fireplace and never a lot stays of it.
You may solely go to the buildings if in case you have a allow. In any other case, it’s a pleasant place to cruise by means of on a ship. From right here, you’ve gotten broad open views of Biscayne Nationwide Park, and never too far off within the distance is Miami. You may also see Biscayne Key, pictured within the photograph beneath. Biscayne Secret is positioned proper exterior of the nationwide park boundary.
#9 Go Fishing
Fishing is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Biscayne Nationwide Park. Our information, who took us out to Jones Lagoon, stated that one of many principal causes this park was created was to guard the fishing websites.
So as to fish in Biscayne Nationwide Park, it’s essential to have a Florida fishing license. There are lots of guidelines and rules about the place and what you’ll be able to fish for. Go to the Nationwide Park Service web site for full particulars.
#10 Go to Elliott Key
Elliott Secret is the biggest island within the park and the northernmost true key within the Florida Keys. This island was as soon as residence to a group of pineapple farmers.
Within the 1960’s, there have been two teams of individuals, with very totally different views of what this space ought to change into. A small group of individuals envisioned a park that protected the reefs and keys and could be a haven for these needing an escape from metropolis life. The second group needed to construct resorts and golf equipment on this space and could be referred to as the Metropolis of Islandia.
Help for the nationwide monument grew. In an try and spoil the park, those that needed to construct Islandia introduced in bulldozers and carved out a large, seven-mile-long street down the size of Elliott Key. This street is known as Spite Freeway.
The conservationists gained and on October 18, 1968, President Johnson signed the invoice creating Biscayne Nationwide Monument.
Now, Elliott Secret is residence to campgrounds, a brief mountaineering path, picnic tables, and locations to go fishing. The scar of Spite Freeway nonetheless stays, but it surely has principally been crammed in by timber for the reason that 1960’s.
We hiked the one-mile loop path by means of Elliott Key. For more often than not, you’re in a forest with out a lot of a view of something. It was muddy, coated with spiderwebs, and regardless of a number of insect repellent (I discovered my lesson in Jones Lagoon) we nonetheless bought just a few mosquito bites. For a part of the path, you get to stroll part of what stays of Spite Freeway, and also you additionally get to stroll out to the seashore on the other facet of Elliott Key.
You may also hike your complete size of Spite Freeway, however I believe it will be probably the most boring hikes within the nationwide park system.
We love mountaineering, however these should not hikes that I might advocate. Skip Elliott Key and put your time into the water actions…that is the place the true magnificence lies in Biscayne Nationwide Park.
Elliott Key Mountain climbing Path
Spite Freeway
Tips on how to Get to Biscayne Nationwide Park
Biscayne Nationwide Park is in southern Florida. It sits simply to the south of Miami and simply to the north of Key Largo.
One of the best ways to get right here is by automobile. If you happen to shouldn’t have a automobile, you’ll be able to take the Homestead Nationwide Parks Trolley from Homestead. This trolley runs from late November by means of April.
Listed below are driving distances and instances from close by locations:
- Miami: 40 miles, 50 minutes
- Miami Worldwide Airport: 34 miles, 45 minutes
- Ft.-Lauderdale Worldwide Airport: 63 miles, 1.25 hours
- Homestead: 10 miles, 20 minutes
- Everglades Nationwide Park: 20 miles, half-hour
- Key Largo: 40 minutes, 1 hour
- Key West: 136 miles, 3 hours
Tips on how to Get Round Biscayne Nationwide Park
One of many greatest questions we had whereas planning our journey is “how do you get round Biscayne Nationwide Park?” This park shouldn’t be like Arches or Acadia, the place you’ll be able to simply present up in your automobile and drive to every little thing. To get round a park with 250 sq. miles of water, you want a ship.
When you’ve got your personal boat, you’ll be able to entry the park from one in all a number of marinas. There are lots of rules and issues to know earlier than you go, so go to the Nationwide Park Service web site for extra data.
Here’s a record of the marinas:
- Homestead Bayfront: This marina is positioned simply to the south of the Dante Fascell Customer Heart.
- Black Level: This marina is positioned on the mainland on the central portion of the park.
- Matheson Hammock: This marina is positioned on the northern finish of the park.
- Crandon: This marina is positioned on Key Biscayne close to Stiltsville.
Tour Operators and Approved Corporations
If you happen to don’t have a ship, you’ll have to be a part of a tour of some kind. You may select between group excursions and personal charters.
Biscayne Nationwide Park Institute
Biscayne Nationwide Park Institute is the primary approved tour firm for Biscayne Nationwide Park. They run all kinds of excursions, from snorkeling and scuba diving excursions, kayaking or SUP excursions to Jones Lagoon, and visits to Boca Chita, Adams and/or Elliott Keys.
We took the Jones Lagoon Eco-Journey-Paddle Tour and had an incredible expertise. Costs for this begin at $89 per individual.
Click on right here to go to their web site.
Biscayne Nationwide Park Institute boat (at Boca Chita).
Different Approved Corporations
So as to hold boat site visitors low and the park pristine, the Nationwide Park Service limits the variety of corporations that may lead excursions within the park.
For probably the most up-to-date record of approved corporations, click on right here.
On this record, we used Discover Miami Boat Rental. We needed to take a non-public tour with a customized itinerary, so we may go to a number of totally different locations on this park (and write this information). Hiring a non-public constitution is pricey, however in order for you a customized itinerary, it’s the best choice, should you don’t have your personal boat. Costs have already gone up since we did this. At present, costs begin at $700 for a 4 hour tour of Biscayne Nationwide Park (click on the hyperlink above for up to date pricing). We spent 6 hours touring Biscayne Nationwide Park (aside from the Jones Lagoon tour with Biscayne Nationwide Park Institute).
IMPORTANT: Jet skis should not allowed in Biscayne Nationwide Park.
What We Did:
Day 1: Arrive in Miami, afternoon Jones Lagoon Eco Tour with Biscayne Nationwide Park Institute. Sleep in Homestead.
Day 2: Full day in Biscayne Nationwide Park with Discover Miami Boat Rental. Sleep in Homestead.
Day 3: Florida Keys street journey to Key West.
How Many Days Do You Want in Biscayne Nationwide Park?
Here’s a record of our favourite experiences in Biscayne Nationwide Park:
- Boca Chita Key
- Fowey Rocks Lighthouse
- Snorkeling the offshore reefs
- Snorkeling the Mandalay shipwreck
- Fowey Rocks Lighthouse
- Jones Lagoon
- Stiltsville
When you’ve got your personal boat or a non-public constitution, it’s doable to do all of those in in the future.
One Day in Biscayne Nationwide Park
From the Homestead Bayfront Marina, which is positioned close to the Dante Fascell Customer Heart, you are able to do a loop by boat across the park. Begin at Jones Lagoon (go kayaking or SUP right here), then snorkel at just a few offshore spots (Mandalay shipwreck and Bache Shoal have been the 2 we visited), adopted by a go to to Boca Chita Key, then Fowey Rocks Lighthouse. Cruise by means of Stiltsville after which head again to the marina.
This loop covers the highlights of the park and could be an superior day in Biscayne Nationwide Park.
Two or Extra Days in Biscayne Nationwide Park
When you’ve got extra time, you’ll be able to camp on one of many islands and break up these actions into two days. Extra time is nicely value it should you actually wish to snorkel or scuba dive.
Boca Chita
Greatest Time to Go to Biscayne Nationwide Park
Biscayne Nationwide Park may be visited all 12 months.
November by means of April is the dry season. Temperatures are cooler than the summer season months, but it surely by no means actually will get chilly right here. Even in January, the typical excessive temperature is 74 levels Fahrenheit (23°C). It’s a bit chilly to get out on the water and go snorkeling, however should you dwell someplace with chilly winters, 74 levels in January feels fairly balmy.
Through the winter months, the seas can get rougher, making it quickly tough or unimaginable to go to the offshore reefs and shipwrecks.
We visited Biscayne Nationwide Park in early December. Mosquitoes have been a serious difficulty on Elliott Key, in Jones Lagoon, and on the brief hike round Boca Chita Key. I additionally bought stung by a jellyfish whereas snorkeling on the Mandalay shipwreck.
If you wish to go to the park when mosquitoes are the bottom, plan your go to for February.
Might by means of October is the moist season. Excessive temperatures usually strategy 90°F, rain is widespread, and mosquito ranges are excessive. The hurricane season runs from July by means of November, so it’s doable journey plans might be disrupted throughout this time.
Planning a street journey by means of the Florida Keys? Discover ways to plan your street journey in our Florida Keys Highway Journey Itinerary. Go to Miami, Biscayne and Everglades Nationwide Parks, street journey by means of Florida Keys to Key West, and go to Dry Tortugas Nationwide Park.
The place to Keep & Eat
There are two campgrounds contained in the park: on Elliott Key and on Boca Chita Key. These are first come first serve and no reservations are needed. The price is $25 per evening. Go to the Nationwide Park Service web site for extra data.
Campsite on Boca Chita. Fairly candy, proper?!
Outdoors of the park, Homestead is probably the most handy place to remain. This additionally makes an incredible residence base for exploring Everglades Nationwide Park, which may be very near Biscayne Nationwide Park.
In Homestead, we’ve stayed at each the TownePlace Suites by Marriott Miami Homestead and the Courtyard by Marriott Miami Homestead, and each are nice. The Speedway Blvd Townhouse is a two-bedroom townhouse that may accommodate as much as six folks and will get glorious opinions.
There are not any eating places within the park. The closest place to seize a chunk to eat is in Homestead.
We ate on the Mamma Mia Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria (good Italian meals) and Bangkok Delicacies (good Thai and Southeast Asian meals). Schnebly Redland’s Vineyard & Brewery was extremely really helpful however they have been closed throughout our go to. This vineyard is positioned to the west of Homestead so you’ll do some additional driving to get right here but it surely actually appears nice.
Plan Your Go to
Entrance Charge: There is no such thing as a charge to enter Biscayne Nationwide Park.
Hours of Operation: The park is open 24 hours a day, one year per 12 months.
Pets: Pets are solely allowed at Convoy Level and Elliott Key. Pets should not allowed within the Dante Fascell Customer Heart or at Boca Chita (even in a ship docked within the harbor). For extra data, click on right here.
