If you’re wondering how to visit Biscayne National Park – you’re not alone. It’s one of the most beautiful National Parks in the south but unusual in the sense that you can’t simply drive there. To visit Biscayne National Park you’ll need to arrive by boat or pay for one of the guided tours offered by the Biscayne National Park Institute.
Biscayne National Park was established in 1980 and the first visitors were here more than 10,000 years ago! The park is 95 percent underwater In the 1960s, Biscayne Bay was used for training purposes during the Cold War – particularly for the Bay of Pigs Invasion. Under the surface – everything from manatees to shipwrecks (44 of them!) make this a very interesting and historic National Park.
In this article – I’ll share my personal experiences and give you a few tips on how to make the most out of your day and the best way to visit Biscayne National Park!
How Big Is Biscayne National Park?
Biscayne National Park is 270 square miles – and 95 percent of the park is water! Unlike most traditional National Parks with hiking trails and scenic drives, Biscayne is really more of a place to explore with a boat or with kayaks, paddle boards, and canoes. There are some short hiking trails on the islands but nothing strenuous or noteworthy. Biscayne National Park is the largest marine park in the National Park system.
How To Get To Biscayne National Park
Yes! You can bring your own boat to Biscayne National Park. But for the rest of us that don’t own a boat – Biscayne National Park Institute offers a wide variety of tours and experiences that will get you into the park for a fee. Most tours leave from the park’s Dante Fascell Visitor Center in Homestead, Florida. Some tours depart from other marinas that have partnered with the park.
Though on a map – Biscayne National Park appears to be close to Miami, you’re better off finding lodging in the town of Homestead. Homestead is only about 20 minutes from the park with minimal traffic. It’s also close to Everglades National Park if you’re looking to cross two parks off of your list.
Where Is The Biscayne National Park sign?
The Biscayne National Park sign is located near the Dante Fascell Visitor Center in Homestead, Florida. You’ll find the sign in a circular driveway before heading down the main road into the park’s visitors center. There’s a small area where you can pull over and grab a quick photo!
If you’re like me – a trip to a National Park isn’t official until you’ve gotten your photo in front of the park sign!
What To Expect On Snorkel and Paddle Eco Adventure Tour at Biscayne National Park
This six hour adventure begins around 10:00 in the morning and lasts for six hours. You’ll depart the park’s main visitor complex in Homestead and head toward Biscayne National Park in a high-speed boat. You’ll be with a small group – five other passengers at the most – which makes for a more intimate experience. The boat ride lasts about 20-25 minutes before you’re in the park’s waters. 95 percent of Biscayne National Park is made up of water.
The Snorkel and Paddle Eco Adventure Tour is one of several day trips that Biscayne National Park Institute offers.
Your tour guide will find a place to drop anchor and hand out inflatable paddle boards for all of the guests. For nearly two hours – you’ll be on these boards and exploring various sections of the park. You’ll be in open waters where you may see wildlife like dolphins and sea turtles. You’ll also spend a considerable amount of time paddling through the park’s famous mangroves. It’s very easy to paddle board if you’re a novice. You are welcome to literally sit on the board the entire tour if it makes you more comfortable. Most of the day, the tour takes place in relatively shallow and calm waters.
The mangroves at Biscayne National Park give you a unique opportunity to explore shallow water and see various fish and wildlife. We saw small sharks and even sea turtles on our journey. The mangroves are incredibly narrow at times – you’ll only use half of your oar to navigate them. Be sure to watch your head as you’re likely to duck more than a few times – especially if you’re tall!
After paddling – you’ll get back on the boat and head to a picnic area for lunch! (You’ll want to bring lunch, or at least some snacks with you that day. A small cooler is acceptable to bring as well. The boat is small but there are places to store things under the seats.)
Once lunch is finished – you’ll get back on the boat and your guide will take you to one of several places in the park for some snorkeling. I had never tried to snorkel before and figured it out pretty easily. As long as you can swim – don’t let that discourage you from joining the tour! It’s a lot of fun!
Guests on our tour saw beautiful fish, colorful sponges, turtles, and more under the water. Hopefully your adventure will be on a sunny, clear day so you can easily see the wildlife!
The day will fly by pretty fast. You’re likely to be surprised that the tour is over! After snorkeling, you’ll get back in the boat and head to either the visitors center or a quick stop at Boca Chita Key. Here you’ll find a lighthouse (which was under construction during my visit) and some beach front to look for shells or just chill out in the water.
What To Bring On Your Snorkel and Paddle Eco Adventure Tour at Biscayne National Park
- Sunscreen and a tight fitting hat that won’t blow away!
- Lunch (A small cooler is acceptable) and a reusable water bottle
- Bugspray (I didn’t need this but it’s recommended)
- Towel
- Snorkel and Fins (If you own them – otherwise you can rent them.)
- Extra clothes for after the trip
- A waterproof bag if you’re bring a camera, etc.
What Does It Cost To Visit Biscayne National Park?
Biscayne National Park does not charge an admission fee. Having said that – the tours do have a fee. A basic history and heritage tour that only lasts 3.5 hours will set you back $85. The six hour adventures will cost around $200. These need to be booked in advance through the Biscayne National Park Institute’s website.
Biscayne National Park Fun Facts
- Location: Florida
- Acreage: 172,971 acres
- Visitation: 709.000 visitors in 2019
- Highest Elevation: 9 feet on Totten Key
- Lowest Elevation: 0 feet at the Atlantic Ocean
- Average annual precipitation: The average rainfall for the area is 2.17 inches in January and 3.95 inches in July
- When Did It Become A National Park? Authorized as Biscayne National Monument in 1968 (with a boundary change in 1974), it became a national park in 1980.
