Established
1980
Size
172,971 acres
Visitors / yr
571K
Entrance
Free
Best season
December through April
Nearest airport
MIA Miami International
01
Why Biscayne is worth the trip
Florida · Established 1980
Biscayne is the national park you snorkel instead of hike. Ninety-five percent of it is underwater, a sweep of turquoise bay, mangrove shoreline, and the northernmost living coral reefs in the continental United States, all within sight of the Miami skyline. There is even an underwater route, the Maritime Heritage Trail, linking six mapped shipwrecks you can swim over.
The catch is that you need a boat, and the catch is also the filter. No bridges reach the keys, so the reefs stay quieter than anything this close to a major city has a right to be. Book a snorkel or paddle trip from Convoy Point on a calm morning and you can have entire coral gardens nearly to yourself. Entry is free. The sunscreen should be reef-safe.
Start with our full Biscayne guide, then use the planning below.
02
Top things to do in Biscayne
Where we would start, and what we would plan a day around. Read the full guide.
Start here
15 Things to Do in Biscayne National Park
Read the guide
01
Saltwater Fishing · nps.gov
Fishing in Biscayne National Park
Biscayne National Park preserves unique marine habitat and nursery environments that sustain diverse native fishery resources and support world-class fishing for spiny lobster, snapper,...
02
Birdwatching · nps.gov
Birding at Boca Chita
Along with incredible array of marine life, Biscayne National Park is also home to significant populations of birds including protected species. Natural habitats for...
03
Birdwatching · nps.gov
Birding at Elliott Key
Along with incredible array of marine life, Biscayne National Park is also home to significant populations of birds including protected species. Natural habitats for...
04
Birdwatching · nps.gov
Birding at Convoy Point
Along with incredible array of marine life, Biscayne National Park is also home to significant populations of birds including protected species. Natural habitats for...
Saltwater Fishing · nps.gov
Fishing in Biscayne National Park
Biscayne National Park preserves unique marine habitat and nursery environments that sustain diverse native fishery resources and support world-class fishing for spiny lobster, snapper,...
02
Birdwatching · nps.gov
Birding at Boca Chita
Along with incredible array of marine life, Biscayne National Park is also home to significant populations of birds including protected species. Natural habitats for...
03
Birdwatching · nps.gov
Birding at Elliott Key
Along with incredible array of marine life, Biscayne National Park is also home to significant populations of birds including protected species. Natural habitats for...
04
Birdwatching · nps.gov
Birding at Convoy Point
Along with incredible array of marine life, Biscayne National Park is also home to significant populations of birds including protected species. Natural habitats for...
Before you go
Get the Biscayne heads-up
Permit windows, closures and seasonal alerts, plus our best Biscayne guides, in your inbox before you go. Free, no spam.
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Plan your trip
Our guides for the big decisions, plus the gear, maps and lodging we would actually use for Biscayne.
Where to stay
Gateway towns with lodging, food and outfitters.
- Homestead, FLGateway town
- Florida City, FLGateway town
- Boca Chita Campground 60 sites
- Elliott Key Campground 20 sites
Maps & guides
Carry paper. Cell service dies fast inside most parks.
America the Beautiful pass
$80 a year. Covers entrance fees at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites.
Get the pass
What to bring
Field-tested picks we bring on park trips.
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Water ShoesQuick-drying grip for shorelines, slot canyons, and river crossings. View on REI
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Dry BagKeep your phone, camera, and spare clothes dry near water. View on REI
-
Sun HatFull-brim coverage for exposed trails with zero shade. View on REI
-
BinocularsSpot wildlife from a safe distance without disturbing them. View on REI
Getting there
- MIA Miami International 35 mi
- FLL Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood 65 mi
Some links in this section are affiliate links. If you book or buy through them we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend what we would use ourselves.
Biscayne map
VC Visitor Center
CG Campground
Nearby Park
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When to go
Loading weather...
Month-by-Month Conditions
Tap any month for details
Month
High
Low
Crowds
Roads
Jan Best
78°
55°
Moderate
Open
Feb Best
80°
57°
Moderate
Open
Mar Best
82°
59°
Heavy
Open
Apr Best
86°
63°
Heavy
Open
May
88°
68°
Heavy
Open
Jun
91°
73°
Moderate
Open
Jul
92°
74°
Heavy
Open
Aug
92°
74°
Moderate
Open
Sep
91°
74°
Moderate
Open
Oct
88°
70°
Moderate
Open
Nov
82°
63°
Moderate
Open
Dec Best
79°
59°
Moderate
Open
Best months to visit
Crowd level (low to peak)
05
More Biscayne guides
06
Parks near Biscayne
Within reach if you are building a longer trip.
Worth protecting
Biscayne belongs to all of us
Protections that took generations to win can be rolled back in a single session of Congress. We keep watch so they hold.
Stay in the Loop
Free dispatches on the parks and the policy fights around them, almost every day. Threats tracked, wins celebrated, no fluff.
Threatened Lands Map
Follow what's happening on federal lands across the country with our interactive map.
View the Tracker