Intro

Visiting Miami and are in need of escaping the city life for a bit? Well a day trip to seeing Biscayne National Park in Florida might just be right for you! Less than an hour from Miami lies one the most intricate water systems in the world.

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About Biscayne National Park

So if you were hoping to get some intense hiking done, then I’m about to disappoint you. Biscayne National Park in Florida is about 95% water. It is essentially Biscayne Bay along with several islands located throughout Biscayne Bay. Biscayne National Park serves as a guardian to several ecosystems where animals like manatees, sea turtles, and tons of fish and bird species call home. This is an underwater oasis. Meaning that there are no hiking trails outside of the boardwalk trail around the visitor center. There are some trails located on Elliot Key but you need access to a boat to get there. Don’t get me wrong, the boardwalk trail is very fun! It was raining when I was there and I personally found it very pleasant to walk around in the warm rain. But if you’re hoping to really get the most out of your visit, you will want to book a tour and/or find a way to get out on the water.

Where To Go

In Biscayne National Park, there are three keys (islands) you can visit: Boca Chita Key, Elliot Key and Adams Key. However, you do need a boat to get to all three.

Boca Chita Key

This is Biscayne’s most popular island. The island hosts an iconic and historic lighthouse that was built by Mark Honeywell in the 1930’s. It has astounding waterfront views and it offers a campground with toilets. 

Elliot Key

This is the largest island of the three Keys. Unlike Boca Chita, Elliot Key does offer fresh drinking water and cold showers are available at their campground. It is recommended by the National Park Service though that you bring your own fresh water just in case. 

Adams Key

Adams Key lies on the north side of Caesar Creek. It serves as only a day use area that is open from dawn to dusk. There is a covered picnic area and restrooms available. 

To Do

Besides the three keys, you might be wondering: “What all is there to do?” While it doesn’t seem like much, there are still many activities that you can choose from to make the most of your visit!

Take a Tour

Taking a tour in the park is one of the best ways to really see Biscayne National Park and experience the marine life that makes this park so precious. Biscayne National Park Institute offers educational excursions of all activity levels. Some of their tours include:

• Heritage of Biscayne Cruise
• Snorkel Experience
• Kayak the Mangroves
• Deering Estate Lighthouses Boat Cruise

When I visited Biscayne NP, I had booked the Heritage of Biscayne Cruise. Unfortunately, the day I was supposed to go, a tropical storm came in and the tour was canceled. I was very disappointed as I only had that one day to be there. Because of this, I really didn’t get to see much of the park outside of the boardwalk trails outside of the visitor center. While I still had a good time, I would 100% recommend you spend at *least* two days there. That way, if there’s bad weather one day, you might have better luck the next day. 

There are other touring companies besides Biscayne National Park Institute that are authorized to operate within park boundaries:

• Deco Divers
• Diver’s Paradise
• Explore Miami Boat Boat Rental
• Island Queen Cruises
• Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces
• Nice Aquatic
• Ocean Force Adventures
• Off the Beaten Path
• South Florida Kiteboarding
• Wind Addict Miami

Fishing/Boating

With the park being 95% water, why not fish? Indigenous people have been fishing in Key Biscayne since time immemorial. It is a great way to relax and even catch a meal! You will need a Florida fishing license in order to fish in the park. The National Park Service has a lot more information on fishing that you can read here.

Kayaking

If you’re super adventurous, you can kayak across Biscayne Bay 7 miles to either Boca Chita or Elliot Key. Adams Key is another great spot to start your kayaking trip and venture to the other two keys. You are allowed to launch your own kayak within the designated area that’s across the parking lot of the visitor center free of charge. However, the park currently does not offer any kayak or canoe rentals. 

Camping/Hiking

As I mentioned earlier, there is a campground on Boca Chita Key and Elliot Key. It costs $35 a night to camp for both islands. Both of these campgrounds are on a first-come, first-serve basis. You can only reserve the group campsite on Elliot Key by calling (786-335-3609); this site is also $35 a night. You will need to pack out all your trash. 

As for hiking, there is not much. Outside of the boardwalk trail located around the visitor center which is amazing, the only other hiking is on Elliot Key. There are two trails located on Elliot Key; a 7 mile (14 mile round trip total) trail that runs the entire length of the island, and a 1 mile loop trail between the bay and ocean side of Elliot Key. 

Whether you decide to tough it out by camping on one of the keys or take a luxurious sunset tour, there are plenty of activities at Biscayne National Park in Florida to fit your every need. Just make sure you plan to stay for a few days to plan for inclement weather. When preparing for your trip, if you’re just coming for the day, I recommend packing a few things:

Tips For Preparedness 

• Bring a poncho! I bought this Coleman poncho from my local Fred Meyers and it actually did a great job at keeping me fairly dry. It’s pretty easy to fold up and the material is pretty strong. With how cheap it is, I find it to be a good investment
• Take a backpack. Bring extra water along with extra socks or clothes in case you get wet.
• Bring ziploc baggies. I packed a few in my suitcase just for my own peace of mind. I like carrying them when I’m going on a boat or doing anything water related. I can put my keys and my phone in one and know that I took an extra measure on keeping my things dry. 
• Bring a camera. You never know what you might see on the water!