Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park Beach

The beach at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park occupies the southern tip of Key Biscayne, Florida, at 1200 S Crandon Blvd, roughly 10 miles (16 km) southeast of downtown Miami. The sand is fine and pale, and the Atlantic water is clear and blue-green, with a more natural, less developed feel than the city beaches to the north. The shoreline faces the open ocean and is exposed to wind and moderate surf, while the park also includes quieter bay-side areas. Behind the sand lie dunes, sea grape and a coastal hammock, and the historic Cape Florida Lighthouse rises at the southern end of the park. The atmosphere is calm and nature-oriented. Families, couples, cyclists, anglers and picnickers dominate, and the park is considerably quieter than South Beach. Amenities include lifeguards in season, restrooms, showers, a cafe, bike and chair rentals, and picnic shelters. Park entry costs $8 USD per vehicle, or $4 USD for a single-occupant vehicle, and the park is open from 8 a.m. to sundown. Access is by car or rideshare over the Rickenbacker Causeway, which carries a toll, then south through Key Biscayne on Crandon Boulevard past Crandon Park. There is no direct public rail or trolley link to the entrance. Inside the park, flat paved and natural trails lead to the lighthouse and along the shoreline, which makes bicycles a practical way to see more of the park. The southern tip also gives views of Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline across the water, and the park is a favorite place to watch sunrise from the shore and to look for birds and other wildlife. Because the park is a state facility with a controlled entrance, it can reach capacity on busy weekends and holidays, so arriving early in the morning is the most reliable way to secure entry and a choice spot on the sand.