Biscayne Park FloridaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Biscayne Park, Florida.
1. Boca Chita Key
HISTORIC ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE EXPERIENCE
Boca Chita Key is one of the most visited islands in Biscayne National Park, featuring a historic lighthouse that offers panoramic views of the surrounding waters. Visitors can explore the island's beaches, picnic areas, and the iconic lighthouse built in the 1930s. The island is only accessible by boat, making it a peaceful retreat away from the mainland.
2. Elliott Key
LARGEST ISLAND WILDERNESS
Elliott Key is the largest island in Biscayne National Park, offering camping facilities, hiking trails, and swimming areas for visitors. The island features the Spite Highway trail that runs along its length, providing opportunities to observe the diverse plant and animal life. Once home to pioneer settlements, Elliott Key now serves as a pristine natural environment where visitors can experience the park's terrestrial ecosystems.
3. Adams Key
SECLUDED ISLAND GETAWAY
Adams Key is a peaceful island destination in Biscayne National Park with a fascinating history as a former site of the Cocolobo Club, once frequented by presidents and celebrities. The island features picnic pavilions, restroom facilities, and short walking trails through tropical hardwood hammocks. Accessible only by boat, Adams Key offers visitors a tranquil escape with opportunities for wildlife watching and exploring natural shorelines.
4. Maritime Heritage Trail
UNDERWATER SHIPWRECK EXPLORATION
The Maritime Heritage Trail in Biscayne National Park features six historic shipwrecks that visitors can explore through snorkeling or scuba diving. The trail includes the Mandalay shipwreck from 1966, which is surrounded by colorful fish and vibrant coral formations. These underwater archaeological sites provide a unique glimpse into the maritime history of the region while offering excellent opportunities to observe marine life.
5. Fowey Rocks Lighthouse
HISTORIC OCEAN SENTINEL
Fowey Rocks Lighthouse, also known as the "Eye of Miami," is a historic lighthouse constructed in 1876 to mark the reef in what is now Biscayne National Park. The original Fresnel lens from Paris has been replaced with a solar-powered light that can be seen up to 17 miles away, while the original is displayed at the US Coast Guard's National Aids to Navigation Training Center. The area surrounding the lighthouse offers exceptional snorkeling opportunities with numerous fish clustered around the metal pilings, making it one of the park's most popular attractions.
6. Jones Lagoon
PEACEFUL MANGROVE PARADISE
Jones Lagoon is a serene aquatic environment tucked between Totten Key and Old Rhodes Key in Biscayne National Park. This calm, shallow lagoon is ideal for kayaking and paddleboarding, offering visitors an intimate experience with the park's mangrove ecosystems and abundant wildlife. The Biscayne National Park Institute offers affordable guided kayak tours of the lagoon for those without their own equipment or transportation.
7. Coral Reef Snorkeling Sites
VIBRANT UNDERWATER ECOSYSTEMS
Biscayne National Park's coral reef snorkeling sites offer visitors the chance to explore one of the largest coral reef systems in the world. These underwater habitats showcase colorful sea squirts, crabs, anemones, and schools of tropical fish in crystal-clear waters. Guided snorkeling tours are available through the park for those who want to experience the best underwater locations with professional instruction.
8. Dante Fascell Visitor Center
GATEWAY TO BISCAYNE
The Dante Fascell Visitor Center serves as the main entrance point to Biscayne National Park, offering exhibits, information, and resources about the park's natural and cultural history. Located in Homestead, the center features a museum, gallery space, and educational programs that help visitors plan their park experience. From the center's grounds, visitors can enjoy picnic areas, a short walking trail, and views of Biscayne Bay.
9. Biscayne National Park Institute Tours
GUIDED PARK ADVENTURES
The Biscayne National Park Institute offers a variety of guided tours that allow visitors to experience the park's diverse ecosystems. Their offerings include affordable kayaking tours through mangrove forests for just $39 per person and comprehensive 3.5-hour snorkeling excursions to coral reefs, shipwrecks, or fish habitats for $115 per person. These professionally-led tours provide equipment, instruction, and expert knowledge about the park's natural and cultural resources.
10. Stiltsville
HISTORIC OFFSHORE COMMUNITY
Stiltsville is a collection of historic wooden stilt houses standing above the shallow waters of Biscayne Bay within Biscayne National Park. These unique structures date back to the 1930s, when they served as private clubs and weekend retreats, accessible only by boat. Today, the remaining houses are managed by the Stiltsville Trust in partnership with the National Park Service and represent an important cultural landmark in South Florida's maritime history.
11. Convoy Point
MAINLAND PARK ACCESS
Convoy Point is the mainland headquarters area of Biscayne National Park, providing shore access, picnic facilities, and boat launch capabilities for park visitors. The location offers scenic views of Biscayne Bay and serves as the departure point for many of the park's boat tours and educational programs. Visitors can enjoy shoreline fishing, birdwatching, and relaxing in the park atmosphere without needing to venture onto the water.
12. Totten Key
PRISTINE ISLAND NATURE
Totten Key is one of the largest undeveloped islands in Biscayne National Park, offering a glimpse of South Florida's natural landscape before human development. The island features tropical hardwood hammocks, mangrove forests, and pristine beaches that provide habitat for numerous plant and animal species. Accessible only by private boat, Totten Key offers solitude and natural beauty for those willing to venture off the beaten path.
13. Caesar Creek
BOATER'S HIDDEN PASSAGE
Caesar Creek is a natural channel that runs between Elliott Key and Old Rhodes Key in Biscayne National Park, serving as a popular route for boaters traveling between Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. The creek offers protected waters for anchoring and opportunities to observe marine life in a relatively sheltered environment. Strong tidal currents make this area a fascinating place to witness the dynamic interchange between bay and ocean ecosystems.
14. Deering Estate
HISTORIC COASTAL MANSION
The Deering Estate is a historic site just north of Biscayne National Park that preserves the 1920s era home of industrialist Charles Deering on the shores of Biscayne Bay. The 444-acre property includes a museum, archaeological sites, and diverse natural areas with hiking trails through several ecosystems. Visitors can enjoy guided tours of the historic buildings, art exhibitions, and regular cultural events that connect to the region's history and environment.
15. Homestead Bayfront Park
FAMILY-FRIENDLY BEACH ACCESS
Homestead Bayfront Park is a county park adjacent to Biscayne National Park that offers a man-made atoll beach, marina facilities, and picnic areas for visitors. The park provides swimming access to Biscayne Bay in a controlled environment, making it popular with families seeking water recreation. With its boat ramp, fishing areas, and concession stand, the park serves as an accessible gateway to experiencing the bay without venturing into the national park waters.