Biscayne National Park in Florida, USA - map, photos and visitor information

Biscayne National Park protects Biscayne Bay, islands, and coral reefs south of Miami, Florida. About 95 percent of the park is water. You can visit the mainland visitor center and waterfront without a boat, but island visits and reef excursions need separate transportation plans.

Highlights of Biscayne

• Convoy Point: Start with bay views, the Jetty Walk, and exhibits at the Dante Fascell Visitor Center.
• Boca Chita Key: Reach the island by boat to see its historic lighthouse and waterfront. Entry inside the lighthouse depends on staff access.
• Elliott Key: The park's largest island has trails and camping, with boat access only.
• Reefs and shipwrecks: Guided snorkeling and diving trips explore places that a mainland walk cannot reach.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Plan for water, weather, and sun

Wear a life jacket when boating. Keep a lookout, follow speed zones, and use nautical charts rather than a general visitor map for navigation. Shallow water and changing tides can cause groundings. Carry the required safety equipment, including a dive flag when snorkeling or diving; the park's boating safety guidance is a starting point for preparation.

Bring drinking water, sun protection, and insect repellent. Swimming is prohibited in boat harbors. Watch for wildlife before entering the water, and explore with a buddy. For emergencies, call 911; boaters can contact the Coast Guard on VHF channel 16. Cell coverage has gaps, so plan communications before departure.

Protect reefs and island habitats

Use mooring buoys where available, and never anchor on coral. Have an alternative destination because a buoy may be missing or damaged. Personal watercraft, including jet skis, are prohibited in the park.

Pack out island trash and keep food secured against animals. Pets are allowed on Convoy Point grounds and in developed areas of Elliott Key under the park's leash rules. They are prohibited at Boca Chita Key, including aboard boats docked there, and inside the visitor center. Service animals follow separate rules.

Tours and island camping

Reserve guided trips ahead of time through an authorized operator. Choose the activity first: a sightseeing cruise, paddling trip, and reef snorkeling excursion provide different experiences. Confirm the departure point and any swimming or mobility requirements with the operator.

Island campsites and docking slips are first-come, first-served; advance camping reservations are not accepted. Download the Recreation.gov app and create an account before leaving the mainland, then use the island kiosk's payment instructions. Pay on arrival and no later than official sunset. Paying a fee does not arrange your boat transportation.

Maps, mainland access, and boat departures

The mainland entrance is at 9700 SW 328th Street, Sir Lancelot Jones Way, Homestead, FL 33033. From the Florida Turnpike or US 1, follow the approach through Homestead to SW 328th Street. The entrance is just before Homestead Bayfront Marina.

Use the Dante Fascell Visitor Center as the destination for a mainland visit. For a booked excursion, use the departure address on your confirmation; tours do not all leave from the same place. The official maps and mooring information help identify destinations, water depths at buoy sites, and fishing regulation resources. They do not replace navigation charts.

Nearby parks by road

• Everglades National Park: Its Homestead entrance is reached via State Road 9336, making it a practical separate outing from the same mainland base.
• John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park: Continue south to Key Largo on US 1; the park entrance is at mile marker 102.5.

Explore from shore or get out on the bay

For a mainland visit, combine the Jetty Walk with the visitor center's exhibits and films. A picnic overlooking the bay works well alongside these stops. Ask about ranger activities and Junior Ranger materials when you arrive.

To reach more of the park, browse the NPS list of guided trips. Options include cruises to Boca Chita, sailing, Jones Lagoon paddling, and snorkeling around reefs or a Maritime Heritage Trail shipwreck. Confirm the actual route before booking; the word “boat tour” alone does not tell you whether you will enter the water.

Experienced visitors can plan their own boating or fishing outing. Fishing rules generally follow Florida regulations but include park-specific restrictions and protected areas. Check the relevant rules for the location and catch you intend to target.

Mainland services and island essentials

Convoy Point has parking, accessible picnic tables, and restrooms. The visitor center has ramp and elevator access, exhibits, films, a bookstore with snacks, and drinking fountains. The Jetty Walk combines boardwalk with a compact natural surface that can hold puddles after rain. Ask an operator about the specific boat's boarding arrangements if you need accessible transport.

The two island campgrounds differ in water and washing facilities:

Both require boat access. Use the island camping guidance to check facilities and payment arrangements before packing. Do not assume that boat access means a scheduled transfer is included.

About Biscayne National Park

A lived-in coast and a protected bay

Biscayne's human history spans thousands of years. Shell middens record Indigenous settlement, while shipwrecks preserve evidence of travel and trade at sea. Later island communities farmed pineapples and worked on the water. Protection grew from local efforts, including those of Lancelot Jones, to resist development of the bay, islands, and reefs.

Life above and below the surface

Marine and coastal habitats support fish, sea turtles, manatees, waterbirds, and the Schaus' swallowtail butterfly. American crocodiles also inhabit the park. Sightings vary; a tour cannot guarantee a particular animal. Never feed wildlife, and give animals room whether you are watching from shore or moving through the water.

Contact Biscayne National Park

Call the information desk at 786-335-3620. The park's address is 9700 SW 328th Street, Sir Lancelot Jones Way, Homestead, FL 33033. The official contact page provides email and permit inquiry options.