One Day in Biscayne National Park: A Guide to Snorkeling & Kayaking
By Daniella from Sampler Platter Travel – this guide to Biscayne National Park contains affiliate links to trusted partners!
Only have one day in Biscayne National Park and want to know how to maximize your visit?
One day in Biscayne may be short, but it gives you enough time to see the highlights of the park. We did a half-day tour last July and loved our time there. We thought we got a good sample of everything that the park has to offer with a boat ride, visiting the mangroves, and going snorkeling in the deep reef.
While you could certainly spend more than one day in Biscayne National Park, Sampler Platter Travel is dedicated to fast itineraries helping you prioritize things to do if you only have a short amount of time.
Happy sampling!
Introduction to Biscayne National Park
Biscayne National Park is super unique, made up of 95% water!
It became part of the national park system in 1980 and is located around 20 miles south of Miami in the state of Florida.
The park protects the coral reefs around Biscayne Bay and the Florida Keys. Its beautiful shoreline is made up of mangroves and a vertical string of 33 islands that form a “wall”, separating the bay from the Atlantic Ocean.
Not a lot of Biscayne National Park is on the mainland, except for the home base of most boat departures from the Dante Fascell Visitor Center.
Unless you have your own boat or want to charter a private tour (which can be logistically challenging), we recommend reserving a guided tour that departs from the center. Get your tickets in advance!
Biscayne National Park is home to an incredible mangrove and underwater ecosystem, and if you’re lucky, you may be able to view manatees, lobsters, sea turtles, and more.
Camping lovers will be happy to know that 2 islands offer overnight camping options.
Caught the National Park bug?
Check out other blogs in our ‘One Day in a National Park’ series:
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Biscayne National Park
Why should you visit Biscayne National Park? If you’re not actively trying to visit every National Park, this one might not even be on your radar screen!
However, there are so many reasons why going to Biscayne is worth your time.
1. Incredible Marine Life
The park is made up of a whopping 95% water. For those of us who think of national parks and picture mountains, this may come as a surprise.
Biscayne is one of the best places to go snorkeling and boating. The protected coral reefs mean that wildlife is thriving, and if you are lucky like me, you might even be able to see a green moray eel during your visit.
2. Check Out the Mangroves
It’s not a trip to Biscayne National Park without visiting the mangroves. The park is home to one of the largest strands of mangrove forest, which both protects the coast and provides a habitat for wildlife.
Kayak through the mangroves or view them from below while snorkeling in their shallow water.
3. Snorkel or Dive Historic Spots
Are you a fan of history? Or maybe just cool things in the water? Biscayne is home to 6 shipwrecks spanning from a 19th-century wooden ship to a modern wreck from the 1960s.
4. Bird Watching
Biscayne is a wonderful place to visit if you are a bird lover, being home to over 200 species of birds. Thanks to the beautiful year-round weather, the birds are always in the area.
5. Tons of Recreational Activities
While Biscayne National Park doesn’t have traditional hiking opportunities, there are many amazing activities. These include snorkeling, diving, kayaking, fishing, boating, and more. You can even go camping in one of 2 camp spots.
When Should You Visit Biscayne National Park
Thanks to Florida’s hot and muggy summers, we highly recommend visiting Biscayne National Park in the winter, fall, or spring.
Of course, visiting in the summer will give you warmer water temperatures, but in turn, you will receive frequent thunderstorms and tons of mosquitos. Yuck!
If you can avoid the park during the summer, we recommend doing so. Stick to the shoulder seasons for diving and snorkeling, as the water can get slightly chilly during the winter. Even in Florida!
Getting to Biscayne National Park
Biscayne National Park is located in Homestead, Florida around 20 miles south of Miami. Given that 95% of the park is water, it might be a little confusing when looking at it on Google Maps.
The mainland is home to the parking lot and Dante Fascell Visitor Center. Most tours will depart from this center – don’t worry about teleporting to the actual park!
We recommend flying into Miami International Airport (MIA), located a little over 1 hour from the park to the north. Keep in mind that Miami’s traffic is quite atrocious, so it could take less than 1 hour or a lot, lot longer.
If you want a cheaper flight and don’t mind driving further, the Fort Lauderdale – Hollywood (FLL) airport tends to be a lot more affordable than MIA, although it is located around 1 hour and 45 minutes from the park.
Definitely rent a car! The visitor center is quite remote, and you will spend the last few miles driving through swampland. Do not take an Uber, as once you arrive, you will have an impossible time getting out.
The parking lot of the visitor’s center has ample parking, located at the following address:
Dante Fascell Visitor Center
9700 SW 328th Street
Sir Lancelot Jones Way
Homestead, FL 33033
Biscayne National Park Entrance Fee
One of the best things about Biscayne is that there is no entrance fee!
Now, before you get excited about the free entrance, do keep in mind that you will have to pay to take a guided tour or rent a boat. Unless you are lucky enough to own your own boat, the money that you save with no entrance fee will be spent on a tour.
The only part of the park that is accessible without a boat is the Dante Fascell Visitor Center and the small strip of shoreline around it.
Best Things to Do in Biscayne National Park
For one day in the National Park, we highly recommend taking a guided boat tour via the Biscayne National Park Institute. Take a look at the list of activities below and find a tour that fits your interests here.
1. Take a guided tour
The Biscayne National Park Institute leads amazing eco-adventures that mostly depart from the Dante Fascell Visitor Center. They are an official partner of the National Park Service.
Tours are between 1.5 and 6 hours long and are the easiest and cheapest options if you are only visiting the park for one day.
We did the 3.5-hour snorkeling tour and loved it. We were taken to 2 different snorkeling sites – within the mangroves and the deep-water reef. On a hot July day, it was the perfect amount of time.
Other adventures include a combination of snorkeling, paddling, sailing, kayaking, and more, so it’s easy to pick and choose based on your interests.
2. See the famous Boca Chita Lighthouse
Also only accessible by boat, the Boca Chita Lighthouse has an observation deck providing views of the Miami skyline and bay! There are frequent heritage and culture tours that take visitors to the lighthouse.
3. Go canoeing or kayaking
Kayaking and canoeing are also available via the Biscayne National Park Institute if you want a guided tour.
If you’re lucky enough to call yourself the owner of a canoe or kayak, you are allowed to launch your boat from the parking lot at no extra cost.
Check out the Jones Lagoon to see rays, jellyfish, and birds and Hurricane Creek to paddle around the mangroves.
This activity is not recommended during the summer as the Florida heat is hot, hot, hot!
4. Snorkeling and diving
If the guided tours don’t take you to snorkeling or diving sites that you’re interested in, it’s possible to charter a boat. Feel free to explore six awesome shipwrecks along the Maritime Heritage Trail:
- 19th Century Sail Boat
- Arratoon Apcar – 1878
- Erl King – 1891
- Alicia – 1905
- Lugano – 1913
- Mandalay – 1966
5. Camping
Yes, even though the park is 95% water, there are camping options available! Two islands offer overnight docking and camping (Boca Chita and Elliott Keys). Both are only accessible by boat (I hope you’re starting to see a pattern here).
What Should You Bring for One Day in Biscayne National Park?
For packing lovers and list makers like me, this is a necessary one! Even for just a day trip, there are a few things to bring to make sure that your trip goes flawlessly.
- Any and all forms of sun protection – bring reef-safe sunscreen, UV shirts for when you’re not in the water, sun hats, and any other item for you feel safe from the sun. It will be hot and humid!
- Snacks – double-check if your tour offers food. If not, bring a meal or snacks. We did the half-day tour starting in the afternoon, so we brought our lunch and had it in the parking lot of the visitor center.
- Dry bag – this may not be a necessity because the boats won’t get that wet, but if you already have a dry bag, might as well bring it! Keep your wallet and phone safe in case a big wave comes over the boat.
- Towel– this one seems like a no-brainer, but I have forgotten my towel on so many different occasions. Pack yours.
- Change of clothes – if you will be arriving in your swimsuit, don’t forget to pack a change of clothes so you don’t get back in your car in a wet swimsuit.
- Mosquito repellent – while not necessary if you are only snorkeling and boating, bring mosquito repellant if you want to go kayaking, paddle boarding, camping, or walking. The mosquitos can get quite brutal in the area.
- Underwater camera – I personally love my camera from AKASO (basically a budget GoPro). I forgot to pack mine and instantly regretted it because we saw some beautiful fish and a large green moray eel!
(Although watch out, because they can bite your fingers off.)
Where to Stay for One Day in Biscayne National Park
Of course, this itinerary is for 1 day, so it’s possible to visit Biscayne National Park on a day trip from Miami or Fort Lauderdale.
However, if you want one full day in the park, we suggest spending one or two nights in the area so that you can maximize your time without having to commute.
Here are our top choices ranging in style from rustic camping to more luxury options.
| Camping Option 1 | Boca Chita Key ($35/night camping, $25/night docking fee) | Boca Chita Key is the most popular island in the park featuring the famous lighthouseThe island has wonderful grassy campgrounds with picnic tables and grillsHas toilets but no showers, sinks, or drinking waterAvailable on a first come first serve basis (no reservations) |
| Camping Option 2 | Elliott Key ($35/night camping, $25/night docking fee) | Largest island in the parkRestrooms include sinks and cold water showersPicnic tables and grills are available for useAvailable on a first come first serve basis (no reservations) |
Camping is the only way to stay within the park grounds themselves. If you don’t want to camp, we recommend staying in the city of Homestead, the closest town on the mainland.
The following options are for Homestead. If you’re feeling very adventurous, you are more than welcome to stay in Miami, but keep in mind that hotel prices will be a lot more expensive.
| Price | Name | Benefits |
| Budget Option | Fairfield Inn and Suites (8.3 stars on Booking.com) | Outdoor pool and fitness centerStandard style rooms perfect for couples or single travelers20 minute drive from the park |
| Mid-Range Option | Hampton Inn and Suites Homestead Miami South (8.2 stars on Booking.com) | Free parking Daily continental breakfastHeated outdoor pool and gym facilities15 minute drive from the park |
| Luxury B&B Option | Arritola B and B Ranch (9.6 stars on Booking.com) | Apartment style bungalows that are perfect for familiesPicnic area and outdoor poor available30 minute drive from the park |
FAQs About One Day in Biscayne National Park
What is the best way to explore Biscayne National Park?
The best way to explore Biscayne National Park is by boat! Most of the park is made up of water, with a few islands creating a vertical “wall” separating the Atlantic Ocean from the Bay.
Therefore, most exploration must be done by boat. You’re also welcome to go camping, fishing, kayaking, or sailing.
The mainland is only home to a parking lot and a visitor center, so we highly recommend taking a guided tour to go beyond that.
Can you do the Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park in one day?
Yes, it is possible to do the Everglades and Biscayne National Park in one day! Do keep in mind that it will be a long and tiring day, but it makes for a fun road trip.
On a good day without traffic, the Everglades and Biscayne are only 30 minutes away. However, it can take a lot longer when South Florida traffic hits.
If you’d like to see both parks in one day, we would recommend an early morning snorkel and half-day tour at Biscayne before going to the Everglades for a short airboat tour. It’s possible, but an exhausting day.
We hope you enjoyed this itinerary for one day in Biscayne National Park. Whether you want to take a relaxing boat ride, dive the reefs and shipwrecks, kayak the mangroves or more, there’s something for everyone in the U.S. National Park made up of 95% water.
Don’t forget to check out other destinations in North America!
Happy sampling!