National park · United States
Biscayne National Park
Go only if you will get on the water: 95% of the park is bay and reef, and the mainland Convoy Point walk is 20 minutes. Book a boat tour or kayak, or skip it and use the Everglades instead.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
700 km²270 sq mi
approximate
Established
1968
Best months
Nov–Apr
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 700 km²270 sq mi
- About 700 km² total, of which roughly 95% is water (check).
- Established
- 1968
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
Biscayne protects the southern half of Biscayne Bay, the northernmost Florida Keys, the longest mangrove fringe on Florida's east coast and the start of the world's third-largest coral reef. Almost all of it is water. From Convoy Point on the mainland you can see the visitor centre, a short jetty walk and the bay — nothing more. Everything else, Boca Chita Key, Elliott Key, Adams Key, the shipwrecks and the reefs, needs a boat, a kayak or a booked tour. Entry to the park itself is free; you pay for the water.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1968.
Size and age
700 km²270 sq mi · national park since 1968
About 700 km² total, of which roughly 95% is water (check).
Why go
- Snorkel or dive a living coral reef and five mapped shipwrecks on the Maritime Heritage Trail.
- Camp on Boca Chita Key beside a 1930s ornamental lighthouse, or on Elliott Key, the park's largest island.
- Paddle the mangrove shoreline from Convoy Point — the cheapest way to get past the mainland.
- See manatees, sea turtles and 500-plus fish species in shallow, warm, clear water.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepAvoid
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanDry, mild, about 20°C; calm bayDry, mild, about 68°F; calm bay
- FebDry and clear; occasional windy front
- MarWarm, dry, spring break crowds
- AprWarm; camping season ends 30 Apr
- MayHotter; afternoon storms begin
- JunHot, humid, daily thunderstorms; hurricane season starts
- JulAbout 28°C; storms and mosquitoesAbout 82°F; storms and mosquitoes
- AugPeak hurricane risk; heat
- SepPeak storm month; tours may cancel
- OctStorms ease; water still warm
- NovDry, mild; camping fees resume
- DecDry and comfortable; busy holidays
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manatees in the bay and marinasNov–Apr · Cold months bring them into warmer shallow water; watch for slow-speed zones. | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Sea turtle nesting on island beachesMay–Sep · Loggerheads mostly, occasionally hawksbills; nests are screened against raccoons. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Mosquitoes on Boca Chita and Elliott KeysMay–Oct · Present year round, worst in the wet season; bring repellent. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Schaus' swallowtail butterflyApr–Jun · Rare, found on northern Key Largo and small keys in the park. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Miami
Drive south on US-1 to Homestead, then SW 328th Street (North Canal Drive) to the end of the road at Convoy Point.
45–60 min
From Miami International Airport (MIA)
Rental car or rideshare south on the Turnpike or US-1 to Convoy Point.
50–70 min
From Florida Turnpike
Exit 6 (Speedway Blvd), left and south to SW 328th Street, then left to the end of the road.
From Key Largo
North on US-1 to Homestead, then right on SW 328th Street to Convoy Point.
45–60 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Convoy Point (mainland) | Park headquarters, Dante Fascell Visitor Center, jetty walk, kayak launch. | Open daily; visitor centre 9:00–17:00.Open daily; visitor centre 9:00 AM–5:00 PM. |
| Boca Chita Key | Most-visited island: lighthouse, harbour, campground, half-mile trail. | Boat only; day use and camping. |
| Elliott Key | Largest island: campground, mile loop trail and the six-mile Spite Highway. | Boat only; camping and docking. |
| Adams Key | Day-use island with a short hardwood hammock trail and picnic pavilion. | Boat only; dawn to dusk, no camping. |
| Reefs and Maritime Heritage Trail | Coral reef and five shipwrecks with mooring buoys. | Boat only; most wrecks suit divers, Mandalay suits snorkellers. |
Sketch map
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entrance | Free | person | No entrance fee at Biscayne; you pay for boats, camping and docking. |
| Boca Chita boat tour (adult) | US$30 | person | About 3 hours with a naturalist; youth fare lower (check). |
| Island camping | US$25 | site per night | November–April; pay cash at the harbour kiosk. |
| Overnight docking, Elliott Key | US$25 | boat per night | 6PM–6AM, November–April; includes one campsite. |
| Canoe or kayak rental at Convoy Point | US$40–80 | half day | 2026 estimate; book at the visitor centre. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Boat tour or kayak permit or guide
Island camping permit or guide
Fishing permit or guide
Park rules
- Trash
- No trash pickup on the islands; pack out everything you bring.
- Pets
- Not allowed on Boca Chita Key or on boats in its harbour; leashed pets are allowed in developed areas of Elliott Key and must not be left alone.
- Camping
- Island campgrounds only, reached by boat; no RV camping anywhere in the park.
- Docking
- At Boca Chita, dock only at the cleated bulkhead and raft no more than two deep; any boat in the harbour after 6PM pays an overnight fee.
- Reef and wrecks
- Use the installed mooring buoys; do not anchor on coral or tie off on wrecks.
- Fishing
- Allowed from set areas and boats under state and federal rules; a Florida licence may be required.
Where to stay
In the park
Boca Chita Key campground
Grassy waterside sites with tables and grills; saltwater toilets, no fresh water, no electricity.
In the park
Elliott Key campground
Waterside and forested sites with cold showers and drinking water; first come, first served.
Near the park
Homestead and Florida City
Motels and hotels about 15–20 minutes from Convoy Point; the only practical base without a boat.
Safety
Hurricanes and tropical storms high
Sun, heat and dehydration medium
Shallow harbour entrances medium
Strong currents at Caesar Creek medium
Rocky shorelines low
Accessibility
- Convoy Point, the Dante Fascell Visitor Center and the jetty area have ramps, elevators and boardwalks and are fully accessible.
- Boca Chita Key has sidewalks around the harbour and to the restrooms; the rest of the island is lawn and rocky ground.
- Elliott Key and Adams Key have accessible restrooms but no sidewalks.
- Concessioner boat trips offer limited accessibility with advance arrangement; call ahead.
Visiting lightly
- Do not anchor on coral or seagrass; use the mooring buoys on the reef and wreck sites.
- Pack out all trash from the islands — there is no collection.
- Keep distance from manatees, turtles and nesting birds; never feed wildlife.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen and take only photos.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Biscayne National Park?
Nothing. There is no entrance fee and no ticket gate at Convoy Point. You pay only for extras: about US$30 for the Boca Chita boat tour, US$25 per campsite per night from November to April, US$25 per boat for overnight docking at Elliott Key, and canoe or kayak rental from the concessioner. Parking at Convoy Point is free.
What are the best hikes in Biscayne National Park?
The park has very little dry land, so the choices are short. The Jetty Trail at Convoy Point is about 400 m and needs no boat. On Boca Chita Key a half-mile loop passes the harbour and lighthouse. On Elliott Key the mile loop starts at the north end of the campground, and Spite Highway runs about six miles down the island's centre — the longest walk in the park, reached only by boat. The east-side boardwalk on Elliott has been closed since hurricane damage; ask staff for current routes.
When is the best time to visit Biscayne National Park?
December to April: dry, mild, around 20°C in January, calm water and the camping and docking season. May to September is hot and humid with afternoon thunderstorms, mosquitoes and hurricane risk; September is the month most likely to disrupt boat trips. October and November are a good middle ground with warm water and fewer storms.
Can I visit without a boat?
Only the mainland. Convoy Point has the visitor centre, a film, ranger programs, the jetty walk and a picnic area, and you can rent a kayak or canoe there. There are no bridges or ferries to the islands, and only about one mile of road in the whole park. To reach Boca Chita, Elliott Key, Adams Key or the reef you need a private boat or a booked tour.
Do I need a reservation?
Not for the park or for Convoy Point. Boat tours and kayak rentals should be booked ahead, especially in winter and on weekends. Individual campsites on Elliott Key are first come, first served; the group site is reserved by phone. Overnight docking is paid in cash at the harbour kiosk.
Is Biscayne worth it compared with the Everglades?
They are different trips. Biscayne is a water park — reef, wrecks, islands and mangroves — and rewards anyone with a boat or a tour booking. The Everglades is a land park with roads, trails and airboat country. If you have one day and no boat, the Everglades gives you more to do; if you can get on the water, Biscayne is the better half-day or full day from Miami.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go