Biscayne National Park

Biscayne National Park lies about 35 miles (56 km) south of Miami near Homestead, Florida, and is roughly 95 percent water. The drive takes about 45 to 70 minutes via the Florida Turnpike or US-1, then SW 328th St east to the Dante Fascell Visitor Center at Convoy Point, 9700 SW 328th St. No public transit reaches the park, so a rental car is the usual choice. The park protects mangrove shoreline, shallow Biscayne Bay, a chain of undeveloped Keys and the northern end of the Florida reef tract, one of the largest living coral reefs in the United States. Because most of the park is only reachable by boat, a day here is built around a tour. The park concessioner, Biscayne National Park Institute, runs glass-bottom boat trips, island tours and a snorkel and paddle trip of about six hours departing near 10:00 AM for ages 12 and over. Trips should be reserved ahead. Without a boat, visitors can still walk the Convoy Point jetty, look for manatees and birds, watch the sunrise over the bay and explore the small visitor center exhibits, while paddlers can launch from the harbor. A practical itinerary is to leave Miami around 8:00 AM, browse the visitor center, join the 10:00 AM tour, then spend the afternoon in Homestead, where roadside fruit stands, Cuban and Mexican restaurants and milkshake shops offer lunch options. The visitor center is open daily from about 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and park entry is free, though tours are priced by the operator. November to April brings calmer, cooler weather and fewer mosquitoes, while the warm months suit snorkeling but carry storm and heat risks. There is little food at the park itself, so visitors usually bring water and snacks. Confirm tour operation and conditions at nps.gov/bisc or by phone at 786-335-3620 before driving down, since trips can be cancelled for weather.