Biscayne National Park
Florida
Fast Facts
▪️ What the Park Protects: Biscayne Bay | Coral reefs | Mangrove shorelines | Historical structures
▪️ Year Established: 1980
▪️ Visitors in 2021: 705,655
▪️ Size: 270 sq. miles
▪️ Fun Fact: The islands in Biscayne, like much of the Florida Keys, are composed of fossilized coral
Tips & Recommendations
Since the park is mostly water, there’s not much in the way of hiking like there usually is at National Parks. But, the park is abundant with water activities…
Notice: Click on an activity’s name for more information. All hikes, campgrounds, roads, and activities are accessible with RVs, campers, and large vehicles unless otherwise noted.
Must-Do Hikes
🥾 Birding Trail (0.8 miles, flat): This short trail is accessible from the Dante Fascell Visitor Center. It follows the mangrove-covered shoreline on a jetty.
🥾 Boca Chita Key Loop (0.8 miles, flat): This trail includes the main area of Boca Chita Key along with a half-mile trail that cuts through the nearby forest. Only accessible by boat.
🥾 Spite Highway Trail to Hidden Beach (5.6 miles, flat): Located on Elliott Key, this trail gives an opportunity to view wildlife while avoiding crowds. Only accessible by boat.
Must-Do Activities
🛥️ Guided Eco-Adventures: The Biscayne National Park Institute offers all-day excursions in the park of varying lengths and consisting of varying activities. These tours include many of the activities listed below. Be sure to pack your own lunches, snorkel gear, and sunscreen.
🚣♂️ Canoeing/Kayaking/Paddleboarding: The best way to get up close and personal with the mangroves and the wildlife they contain is by way of non-motored watercraft.
🤿 Snorkeling: If weather permits, try to snorkel at Biscayne’s colorful and popular barrier reefs. If not, you can snorkel by the mangroves like we did.
🤿 Diving: If you are SCUBA-certified and have the gear, you can explore the park’s shipwrecks along the Maritime Heritage Trail.
🎣 Fishing: Those with a valid Florida fishing license can fish in the park. Be sure to check Biscayne’s regulations on fishing within its boundaries.
Nearby Activities
🏙️ Miami: Sitting within view of Biscayne to the north, this sprawling metropolis has plenty to do for those seeking an urban adventure.
🏞️ Everglades National Park: Located only 35 minutes from the Dante Fascell Visitor Center, the largest tropical wilderness in the United States is a must-visit for national park enthusiasts and those looking for adventure.
🏖️ Florida Keys: Since Biscayne contains the northernmost of the Keys, it makes sense that you don’t have to drive far to reach Key Largo and the remaining Keys. There’s plenty to do, see, and eat here to keep tourists busy for days.
🚗 U.S. Highway 1: This scenic drive takes you from the Florida mainland all the way to Key West. Among other things, you’ll see and cross the Seven Mile Bridge.
🏞️ Dry Tortugas National Park: My personal favorite of the three Florida national parks is accessible by boat from Key West, which is ~3 hours from Biscayne.
General Tips
📅 When to Visit: December through May is the ideal time range to visit the park. The weather is milder in the winter and early spring – meaning less mosquitoes and less sweat – but the water is warmer and calmer as you approach the summer. I visited in March, when the weather was beautiful but the wind prevented us from visiting the coral reefs.
⌚ How Long to Visit: 1 day in Biscayne is plenty of time to hit the highlights of the park for the average visitor. If you own a boat, you could consider camping for a night or two on Boca Chita Key or Elliott Key.
🚗 How to Visit: Biscayne is close to many population centers and is easy to access by car. Within Biscayne, the only way to get around is via watercraft.
🛏️ Where to Stay: You can only camp in Biscayne if you own a private boat. Therefore, I’d recommend Everglades National Park for those looking to camp. If you aren’t camping, Homestead and Miami both have a plentiful selection of hotels and Airbnbs.
🧳 What to Bring: The visitor center offers snorkel gear rental, but they recommend bringing your own if you have it. If you’re embarking on one of the Eco-Adventures, bring your own lunch & water and bring towels & lots of sunscreen. Also bring a waterproof phone bag if you have one.
Do’s & Don’ts
✅ DO pack your own lunch & water for the Eco-Adventures, you’ll regret it if you don’t.
❌ DON’T forget sunscreen like Maria & I did, or you’ll join us in looking like a tomato.
❌ DON’T disturb wildlife.
❌ DON’T touch coral or any of the flora within the park.
Biscayne Review
Natural Beauty
For the most part, it’s easy to appreciate Biscayne’s watery haven, mangrove-lined shores, and blue water. However, structures near the park – like Miami and a power plant – can break that nature feel.
Things to Do
The average visitor can easily spend a full day in Biscayne, but not much longer. If you own a boat or have SCUBA gear, Biscayne will offer you more ways to spend your time.
Accessibility
While Biscayne is easy to get to, it’s much less easy to explore without a boat. Eco-Adventures are an easy solution to this, but be prepared to pay a hefty sum for them.
Wildlife
Under the surface, the park is abundant with wildlife that you can see with a pair of SCUBA or snorkel goggles. Above water, however, there’s not much to see.
Escapism
With Miami in distant view, boats abounding in the bay, and tourists common ashore and at Boca Chita Key, you don’t get much of an escapist feel here. But, the park has some isolated areas.
Personal Experience
While the day I spent in Biscayne with Maria was relaxing, peaceful, and dotted with fun activities, it was a far cry from our usual adventures.
Journal Entry
Read about my experiences in Biscayne National Park…
Gallery
In lieu of professional snorkeling or diving pictures, here are some photos I took on the surface…