Florida's Underwater Gem Revealed: Biscayne National Park

Although Biscayne National Park is just 35 miles from Miami, it’s a world apart in terms of what visitors can see and do. The park features four diverse ecosystems: a shoreline of mangrove forests; the shallow waters of Biscayne Bay; the northernmost islands of the Florida Keys; and an underwater wonderland of fragile coral reefs. No matter what time of year you visit, you’ll be able to go boating, fishing or diving. And, if you prefer to keep things more relaxed, you still can have an unforgettable time simply enjoying the park’s splendid scenery.

A storied history

In 1901, the African-American farm laborer Israel Jones bought three small, uninhabited islands that separate Biscayne Bay from the Atlantic Ocean and became the first Black landowner in the Keys. Soon after, he moved his family to Old Rhodes Key and began a profitable business growing key limes and pineapples, becoming the largest producer of those crops on Florida’s east coast. Israel’s two sons, Arthur and Lancelot, continued to farm limes until two setbacks—destruction from the Great Hurricane of 1926 and increasing competition from Mexico’s lime production—convinced them to leave the business. With the farming venture ended, Lancelot turned his attention to taking wealthy guests of the nearby Coco Lobo Club on fishing excursions

The region was still largely undeveloped when, in the 1960s, nearby landowners announced plans for a seaport that would include an industrial complex and oil refinery. Opposition grew and the enterprise was halted in 1968, when Congress identified the area as “a rare combination of terrestrial, marine and amphibious life in a tropical setting of great natural beauty.” That same year President Johnson signed a bill creating Biscayne National Monument, thereby protecting 173,00 acres from development. Twelve years later Congress designated Biscayne a national park, and today it is a paradise that welcomes water lovers of all types.
 

Outdoor activities

Convoy Point on the mainland is the location of Dante Fascell Visitor Center, the starting spot for guided tours and nearly all park-based water excursions. As you plan your visit you can choose from educational eco-adventures including snorkel trips, paddling adventures and heritage tours, all available through Biscayne National Park Institute, a nonprofit partner of the park operating out of Convoy Point.

Boat tours: Visitors have their pick of a variety of guided waterborne adventures that are offered daily. (Reservations are highly recommended.) Cruise around Biscayne Bay, go on an excursion to the popular island of Boca Chita, see the park’s iconic lighthouses from the water or take a tour of the alluring wood stilt houses of historic Stiltsville in the northernmost part of the park. (Although only six of Stiltsville’s 27 buildings remain, the area was once the playground of wealthy resort-goers on winter vacation in Miami Beach.) Keep an eye on the water as you tour—the bay’s clear waters make dolphin and turtle sightings possible even if you’re not in a glass-bottom boat. If you have a group of five or more people, consider chartering a boat for a more-personalized experience.

In-water activities: Biscayne National Park offers lots of ways to immerse yourself in fun (and water)! Novices and experts alike can choose from activities like kayaking, paddleboarding and snorkeling. There are more than 50 sunken shipwrecks in the park; six are well-suited for snorkelers and SCUBA divers to explore on the Maritime Heritage Trail. For a kaleidoscope of color and activity, a visit to the park’s coral reefs is in order. Among the fragile reefs you’ll see purple sea fans, green moray eels, blue neon gobies, yellow striped porkfish and more. Or make your way to the underwater meadows of seagrass that attract manatee, fish and several species of endangered sea turtle. Prefer to stay above water? Travel the park’s shoreline of mangrove trees by kayak, or paddle the clear waters of Jones Lagoon where you can spot such wildlife as baby sharks, turtles and the rare Roseate Spoonbill.

Fishing: The waters of Biscayne Bay have a history of fishing that goes back thousands of years. That history includes such indigenous peoples as the Tequesta, who got most of their food from the sea. Biscayne Bay is still one of the best fishing locations in South Florida, and today’s backdrop of city skylines makes the experience unique. Anglers fishing for sport focus on such gamefish as tarpon, bonefish, permit, snapper, and mackerel. Before you go, check the seasonal availability of the fish species you’re interested in to avoid disappointment. A Florida State Saltwater Fishing License is required, and anglers must adhere to regulations for catch size, limit and method. More information can be found at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission page.

Birdwatching: No matter if you’re a casual birdwatcher or a more-serious twitcher, a visit to the park might reward you with sightings of any of the 202 species that have been spotted there, including Cormorants, Brown Pelicans and Yellow-crowned Night-Herons. Plan your trip with this list of birding locations from the National Park Service. 

How to get there

Although most visitors arrive at the park by private boat, Miami airport (35 miles away) is the closest large commercial airport. Travel from Miami on the Florida Turnpike, take Exit 6/Speedway Boulevard and go left on Southwest 328th Street to the visitor center. If you’re headed to the park from nearby Homestead, there is a free trolley that runs weekends from late November through April.

When to go

Biscayne National Park saw 571,242 recreational visitors in 2023. Late November through April is the busiest time of year at the Dante Fascell Visitor Center, where ranger-led programs are offered. Although summers can be hot and humid with frequent thunderstorms (and the occasional hurricane), that just makes a splash or swim in the water all the more refreshing.

Where to stay

Greater Miami has two AAA Four Diamond options that will appeal to guests looking for luxury lodging—Mr. C Miami Coconut Grove and The Setai, Miami Beach. There’s no lodging within Biscayne National Park, but primitive camping is available in two locations only reachable by water: Elliott Key and Boca Chita. Elliott Key, the park’s largest island, is seven miles from shore, putting it close enough for a waterborne approach by seasoned kayakers. Boca Chita is the park’s most popular island and features a grassy camping area, picnic tables and grills. Camping at either site requires a free permit from Dante Fascell Visitor Center.