Discover Biscayne National Park

Who says a national park needs mountains, forests, or miles of hiking trails?

Just south of Miami, Biscayne National Park offers something wonderfully different: an underwater paradise filled with tropical islands, colorful coral reefs, and fascinating maritime history.

With approximately 95% of the park covered by water, Biscayne invites visitors to trade hiking boots for snorkels, kayaks, and boat adventures.

It's a remarkable reminder that some of America's greatest natural treasures lie beneath the waves.

Boca Chita Key: A Little Island Paradise

Few sights capture Biscayne's tropical charm quite like Boca Chita Key.

This picturesque island is famous for its historic ornamental lighthouse, built in the 1930s, overlooking turquoise waters and beautiful coastal scenery.

Visitors arriving by boat can explore the island, enjoy peaceful waterfront views, and admire the lighthouse, which reopened to visitors in 2026 following restoration.

It's a wonderful setting for photographs and a memorable escape from nearby Miami.

Coral Reefs: Discover an Underwater World

Biscayne protects part of the northern Florida Reef Tract, one of the most remarkable marine ecosystems in the United States.

Beneath the surface, snorkelers and divers can encounter colorful tropical fish, coral formations, and fascinating underwater habitats.

Guided excursions make these offshore reefs accessible to visitors without their own boats.

Remember to admire marine life without touching or disturbing the fragile coral.

Maritime Heritage Trail: Stories Beneath the Waves

Biscayne's waters preserve more than natural beauty.

The Maritime Heritage Trail connects visitors with historic shipwrecks that reveal fascinating chapters of Florida's maritime past.

Accessible through appropriate snorkeling and diving excursions, these underwater sites offer a remarkable opportunity to discover the stories of vessels that once traveled these waters.

It's an adventure where history and marine exploration meet.

Elliott Key: A Tropical Island Escape

The largest island in Biscayne National Park, Elliott Key offers a quieter experience surrounded by beautiful coastal scenery.

Once home to communities involved in pineapple farming and other maritime activities, the island now welcomes visitors for camping, picnicking, and exploring its natural surroundings.

Accessible only by boat, it's a lovely destination for those seeking a peaceful day away from the mainland.

Keep Your Biscayne Memories Close

Whether your favorite memory is a snorkeling adventure, an island picnic, or a spectacular photograph across Biscayne Bay, this remarkable park offers experiences worth remembering.

A GTK QR Tile connects a physical keepsake to your existing online photographs, boating stories, and favorite memories, or brings them together on your complimentary GTK QR Page.

A little keepsake for adventures above and below the water.

Get To Know People & What They Know About Biscayne National Park

GTK® is an independent editorial initiative celebrating individuality, expression, connection, and the things people know.

From marine biologists and conservationists to historians, boat captains, and people whose lives are connected to South Florida's coastal waters, Biscayne inspires fascinating human knowledge and experiences.

We believe their stories and perspectives deserve to be discovered, shared, and remembered.

Visit GTK.us to discover more about people and what they know.