Biscayne National Park
Mangrove shoreline, Biscayne Bay, coral reefs, shipwrecks, and the northern Florida Keys require a boat or paddlecraft for the park’s full scale.
Artwork inspired by Doris Leeper
Biscayne is fundamentally an ocean park: roughly ninety-five percent of it is water, and its mangrove edge, bay, keys, seagrass, reefs, shipwrecks, and other maritime sites cannot be understood from the visitor-center shoreline alone. Clear shallows may look simple while concealing depth, vulnerable habitat, and a layered cultural landscape.
Plan the water-based portion first, choosing among reef, key, paddling, or heritage experiences according to conditions and interest. Then use Convoy Point’s exhibits, jetty, and short trails to orient what lies offshore. Because wind and sea conditions can alter or cancel trips, keep a worthwhile land visit available rather than pressing ahead unsafely.
- Water coverage
- About ninety-five percent
- Habitats
- Mangrove, bay, keys, reef
- Admission
- Free
Quick guide
- Essential choice
- Reserve a water-based experience whenever conditions allow.
- Scale fact
- Only about five percent of the park is land.
Explore further
- Book the water
- Choose reef, key, paddle, or heritage trip before planning land time.
- Begin at Convoy Point
- Use maps and exhibits to locate what cannot be seen from shore.
- Watch the shallows
- Propellers, anchors, and feet can damage seagrass and coral.
- Keep weather flexible
- Wind and sea conditions decide more than the printed itinerary.
Good to know
A view from Convoy Point does not reach the offshore reef or most historic sites. Boat-dependent experiences can cancel, so keep a worthwhile land-based alternative rather than forcing unsafe conditions.