things-to-do-in-biscayne-national-park

12 Things To Do In Biscayne National Park

Planning a trip to Biscayne National Park or looking to mark another National Park off of your bucket list? I have you covered!

After a recent visit to this park, I was so surprised by how many activities, tours, history, & ocean life it had to offer. I promise you, you won’t want to miss out on this park next time you are in the area! Plan your visit with the top 12 Things To Do In Biscayne National Park to help you make the most of your trip.

Is Biscayne National Park Worth Visiting?

Absolutely! This park has so much to offer, especially once you get out on the water. The ocean life throughout Biscayne National Park is incredible & the mangroves act as sanctuary for these creatures. Considering Biscayne National Park is 1 of 3 National Parks in Florida it frequently gets overlooked compared to Dry Tortugas & the Everglades but don’t let that fool you.

Learn about the best time of year to visit Biscayne National Park from my friend Emily in her recent post, One Day in Biscayne National Park Guide.

What is the Biscayne National Park Institute?

You will see me referencing to the Biscayne National Park Institute many times in 12 things to do in Biscayne National Park so here is some brief information about it.

The Biscayne National Park Institute is an official partner of Biscayne National Park & a nonprofit partner with the Florida National Park Association. Their mission is to connect people to Biscayne National Park through educating visitors during their guided tours to help gain a better understanding, appreciation & respect for this park.

12 Things To Do In Biscayne National Park

Although this park is relatively small compared to other National Parks – there are so many unique experiences & things to do in Biscayne National Park!

1. Spend Time On The Water Kayaking, Canoeing, or Paddle Boarding

Biscayne National Park Institute offers many kayaking, canoeing, and/or paddle boarding experiences. They offer a Jones Lagoon Eco-Adventure, Paddle the Mangroves & Seagrass Meadows & many more. These tours start at $79 & range from 1.5 to 6 hours. Check out their list of paddling adventures to book your tour!

2. Check Out the Dante Fascell Visitor Center

One of the best things to at Biscayne National Parks is stop at the visitor center first. Dante Fascell Visitor Center is the only visitor center at Biscayne National Park & one of the first things you see when you get to the park. Offering drinking fountains, clean bathrooms, picnic areas, & much more.

3. Take a Snorkeling Tour

Taking a snorkeling tour is one of the most popular activities at Biscayne National Park. Along the way you learn about the parks magnificent habitats & the parks history. Biscayne National Park Institute offers 4 different tours for you to choose from, starting at $99: Snorkeling Adventures

4. Explore the Boardwalk & Trails

Check out Convoy Point to Jetty Walk. This will take you along the marina in the park & out to the bay, where there is water on both sides of the path. If you are lucky, you may spot different kinds of fish & maybe even a manatee or bottlenose dolphin!

If you are specifically looking for birds, Black Point is a great place to spot a Mangrove Cuckoo & other shorebirds.

5. Camp at Biscayne National Park

There is only one way to camp at this park, which is through one of the guided tours. This 2 day & 1 night trip will include camping at Adams Key while paddling, sailing & hiking island trails during your time there. This tour is offered on Mondays, Wednesdays, & Saturdays.

Biscayne National Park Institute will provide a paddle board or kayak, lunch & dinner on the 1st day, breakfast & lunch on the 2nd day, tents, & cooking gear. They ask that you bring your own bedding.

6. Sail the Bay

Another one of the best things to in Biscayne National Park is sailing with Biscayne National Park Institute, which offers 2 different sailing opportunities. The first is with the 6 hour Sail, Paddle, Snorkel, & Island Visit Tour. The second opportunity is with the 2 day camping trip listed above.

7. Go Fishing and/or Lobstering

This activity is very common in the Biscayne Bay area. Keep in mind you will need a license to do so & be mindful of the Florida fishing regulations. The National Park Service provides great section about this on their website that breaks down the details & what you will need to know: Fishing and Lobstering Information.

8. Take a Boat Tour

Biscayne National Park Institute offers many boat only tours for those who are not interested in paddling, snorkeling, or scuba diving. Most of these tours are under $100, ranging from 2 hours to 4 hours & are one of easiest things to do in Biscayne National Park.

To view all 6 boat cruises & which one is best for your trip, visit Biscayne Boat Cruises with the Biscayne National Park Institute.

9. Visit the Islands

There are 7 different island experiences offered by Biscayne National Park Institute. These different tours offer a variety of site seeing experiences such as added snorkeling, boat only, sailing, seeing the different keys within the park & more.

There are approximately 42 islands located within Biscayne National Park some of which you can explore during these tours!

10. Biscayne National Park Scuba Diving

Biscayne National Park Institute offers a scuba & snorkel adventure but it is required for you to be scuba certified with previous experience. They will provide weights & tanks but you must bring your own scuba equipment otherwise.

You can also scuba dive in Biscayne National Park with Tropic Scuba. They are the only other company to hold a permit to scuba dive within the park. Most of their trips range from 4-5 hours including ice, water, Gatorade, & fresh fruit for your half day trip with them.

11. Go Kiteboarding

Interested in kiteboarding or taking kiteboarding lessons in the clear blue waters of Biscayne National Park? There are two companies that are authorized to do so within the park. Book your kiteboarding experience with Wind Addict Miami or South Florida Kiteboarding.

12. Volunteer for a Debris Clean-Up

Debris clean ups take place on Tuesdays 9am-12:30pm, but to be sure of the days & hours check out Biscayne National Park Institute’s website to verify any changes. These clean ups may be on a paddle board or while wading in the water.

Bring your closed toed shoes, sunscreen, work gloves, wattle bottle, towel, bug spray, & snacks to help clean up & protect the park!

How Much Does It Cost To Go To Biscayne National Park?

Unlike many other U.S. National Parks, Biscayne National Park does not require an entrance fee. To learn about this park check out the National Park Service website for more basic information.

How Many Days Do You Need in Biscayne National Park?

Depending on how much time you have & what interests you, 1 day is plenty enough time to see & experience this park. Since most of it is water, you will want to take a tour to get the most out of your trip & to see some of the best parts of the park.

Biscayne National Park Visitor Center

AKA the Dante Fascell Visitor Center is the only visitor center at Biscayne National Park. This visitor center offers an informational museum & gallery that teaches you about the 4 ecosystems within the park along with other films, presentations, & dioramas. It’s 2 story building will also offer great views of the park & surrounding areas.

This visitor center is also where you will check in for any tours & of course, you can’t forget about the gift shop while you’re there!

Biscayne National Park Facts

  • How big is Biscayne National Park? About 172,000+ acres
  • 95% of this park is water
  • Is Biscayne National Park open? You bet!
  • Elliot Key is not only the biggest Key at Biscayne National Park but also the first key off all the Florida Keys.
  • Biscayne was officially named a national park in the summer of 1980.
  • Biscayne National Park is home to 20+ endangered or threatened species

Biscayne National Park Address

Biscayne National Park Physical Address:
9700 SW 328th Street
Sir Lancelot Jones Way
Homestead, Florida 33033

Biscayne National Park Tours

The best way to see park is by getting out on the water through the Biscayne National Park Institute. They provide a large variety of tours perfect for all ages & interests. Their are options for site seeing only, paddling, snorkeling, & more! Be sure to book in advance during the busy season, especially for snorkeling & paddling tours.

Snorkeling in Biscayne National Park

One of the best things to do in Biscayne National Park is snorkel & it is said to be a snorkelers paradise.

For this reason, the snorkeling tours are Biscayne National Park Institutes most popular tours. These tours are offered during all seasons at different times of the day & ranging from 3.5 to 6 hour experiences. You can rent a mask, snorkel and/or fins from them or bring your own.

Where Can I Snorkel in Biscayne National Park?

Snorkeling takes place at the offshore reefs, wrecks, or in the bay depending on the weather. These locations are only accessible by boat through the Biscayne National Park Institute located at the visitor center. They offer a wide variety of snorkeling trips all year long & provide wonderful history about Biscayne National Park along the way.

Are There Sharks in Biscayne National Park?

The answer is yes. Although many sources do not give accurate information to what types of sharks & how frequently they are spotted. If you do see any they will most likely be somewhere offshore. We saw 3 baby lemon sharks while we were kayaking the mangroves during our visit in March.

Can You Swim in Biscayne National Park?

There are no beaches to swim at in Biscayne National Park, thus swimming is prohibited, but according to the National Park Service website there is a beach to swim at nearby called Homestead Bayfront Park. If you take the guided tour to Elliot Key Island there may be an opportunity to swim there.

What Is There To Do In Biscayne National Park Without a Boat?

No boat? No problem, check out the boardwalks, trails, & visitor center to see the park by land. If you are wanting to see more of the park take a guided tour with Biscayne National Park Institute. They offer many options as listed above.

Biscayne National Park Pictures

Check out some of my favorite pictures from our trip to Biscayne National Park & during our kayaking tour through the mangroves.

Overview: 12 Things To Do In Biscayne National Park

When visiting Biscayne National Park, keep in mind that this park does not require an entry fee & can be explored with a quick day or even half day trip. To see some of the best parts & most beautiful areas of the park you will want to book a tour with the Biscayne National Park Institute – snorkeling is the most popular followed by paddling.

Lastly, don’t forget to bring sunscreen & use leave no trace practices while visiting. Thanks for checking out my 12 things to do in Biscayne National Park guide!

Planning a visit to Everglades National Park while you are in Florida? I also have a 20 Of The Best Things To Do In Everglades National Park guide!