Biscayne
National Park
Biscayne
National Park
The shoreline of Biscayne Bay is lined with a deep green forest of mangroves. These trees, with their complex system of prop roots, help stabilize the shoreline and provide shelter for animals, birds and marine life. Their leaves become a vital part of the food chain when they fall into the waters.
The lush seagrass beds found throughout Biscayne Bay are another major part of the food chain. The Florida spiny lobster depends on this rich food chain and the bay has been designated a sanctuary where the lobsters are protected year-round. Shrimp, fish, sea turtles, and manatees also utilize these productive underwater pastures.
On the eastern edge of Biscayne Bay are the northernmost Florida Keys. These stunning emerald islands, fringed with mangroves, contain tropical hardwood forests in their interiors. The establishment of the park protected these islands from planned development, allowing them to remain a reminder of the area's past.
On the Atlantic side of the islands lie the most diverse and beautiful of the underwater communities: the coral reefs. The reefs support a kaleidoscope of life. Fish, plants, and other animals abound in all the colors of the rainbow.
Natural resources are not the only resources protected within Biscayne National Park. The cultural resources represent well over two thousand years of history and some might be as much as ten thousand years old. These resources are rich with archeological remains that document not only a crossroads of international maritime trade and exploration since the arrival of the first Europeans, but also the history of the earliest inhabitants of this area.
The resources consist of over one hundred known archeological sites (with the majority being submerged sites), ten historic structures, three National Historic Register listings, and 16,000 museum objects. For additional information, see Biscayne's Cultural Resources.
Recreational opportunities abound in Biscayne National Park. Locally, it is known as a wonderful place to boat, sail, fish, snorkel, dive, and camp. The resources protected within the park are beautiful, diverse, and very productive; they are also fragile. Fish and animals can be injured and killed by trash in the water. Seagrasses can be torn up by boats that have run aground. Touching coral may open the way for disease. Carelessness can cause great damage to the resources of Biscayne National Park--forethought and care can preserve and protect these unique resources for the future. The park is 180,000 acres, of which 95 per cent is water.
OF SPECIAL INTEREST
Public Meetings for Natural Sound
Natural sound is part of the natural environment protected within Biscayne National Park. To help preserve this important part of our resources, the park is developing a Soundscape Management Plan. As part of the development process, the park held two public meetings on May 13th, 1999 to encourage and receive people's ideas about the scope of the plan and the plan's development process. Approximately 120 people attended the two meetings.
Written comments concerning the development of the Soundscape Management Plan were accepted through June 11, 1999. The park was specifically soliciting the following comments:
1. What sounds or noise concerns do you think Biscayne National Park should be most interested in for a Soundscape Management Plan?
2. Why should we be concerned with this source of sound or noise intrusion?
3. What other questions should be answered, or issues addressed, in this plan?
Although the official comment period is over, we continue to welcome input concerning the park's soundscape. Comments or requests for additional information can be mailed to the park, "Attention: Soundscape" (see Park Address below), or sent by e-mail to BISC_Soundscape@nps.gov. (Feel free to write your comments in English or Spanish.)
Lobster Season
The regular lobster season, open to sport and commercial fishing, opened on August 6, 1999. For more information, please see Lobstering in Biscayne National Park.
Caribbean Marine Protected Area Management
In December, 1997, Biscayne National Park hosted a five day workshop attended by over 50 partners in marine protected area management from 22 countries of the wider Caribbean. The workshop participants proposed the establishment of a network to facilitate training opportunities, information exchange, communication, and the solving of common problems among themselves and their associated areas. This network is CaMPAM.
Miami Circle
The Miami Circle is a recently discovered Tequesta archeological site located at the mouth of the Miami River approximately five miles north of Biscayne National Park. To learn more about this fascinating site, see Miami Circle.
On March 25th, 1999, Senator Bob Graham of Florida introduced a bill to direct that a special resource study be done to determine the feasibility of adding the Miami Circle to Biscayne National Park. See Senator Graham's complete remarks.
Harbor Hosts
Biscayne National Park is currently exploring the possibility of placing volunteer Harbor/Island Hosts at the Elliott Key and Boca Chita Key marinas. Individuals, with live-aboard vessels, would be stationed at either island and provided with basic sewerage pump-out services, potable water, and free docking in exchange for assisting park staff with basic visitor services.
For more information, see Harbor Hosts.
Emergency Closure Area Reopens
The emergency closure in effect in the area of Ledbury Reef and Star Reef after the grounding of a 350 foot long sugar barge and its tugboat on July 20th, 1998 has been reopened. For additional information, see Emergency Closure Reopens.
Highest from January to April, and July to September.
LOCATION:
Homestead, Florida
ADDRESS:
Biscayne National Park
9700 SW 328th Street
Homestead, FL 33033-5634
E-MAIL:
TELEPHONE:
(305) 230-7275
OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:
Convoy Point, location of park headquarters, visitor center, concession operations and picnic area, is open 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., daily.
The Dante Fascell Visitor Center is open 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. Closed Christmas Day.
CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:
Subtropical climate. Generally hot and humid in the summer with brief afternoon thunder showers. Winters are mild and dry. Wear hats and sunglasses, and use sunscreen.
DIRECTIONS:
If traveling by car from the north to Convoy Point, take the Turnpike, and then the Homestead extension of the Florida Turnpike south, to Exit 6 (Speedway Blvd.). Turn left from exit ramp and continue south to S.W. 328th Street (North Canal Drive). Turn left and continue to the end of the road. It is approximately five miles, and the entrance is on the left.
US-1: Drive south to Homestead. Turn left on SW 328th Street (North Canal Drive), and continue to the end of the road. It is approximately nine miles, and the entrance is on the left.
From South to Convoy Point: US-1, drive north to Homestead. Turn right on SW 328th Street (North Canal Drive--first light after Florida Turnpike entrance), and continue to the end of the road. It is approximately nine miles, and the entrance is on the left.
If traveling by air, Miami International Airport is about 35 miles from Convoy Point. Car rentals are available at the airport. There is no public transportation to the park.
See our a Map to Convoy Point.
FEES, COSTS, RATES:
There is no entrance fee to the park. There is a $15.00 per night overnight docking fee at Boca Chita Key Harbor and Elliott Key Harbor ($7.50 per night for holders of Golden Age or Golden Access Passports). See "Lodging and camping facilities" below for camping fees.
FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:
Biscayne National Park is 95 per cent water. To see the park, one must get in a boat. Because of this, visitors who have their own boats have almost unlimited access to the park's resources. (Boaters should use NOAA Nautical Chart 11451 for safe boating operations in park waters). Access for visitors who do not have their own boats is provided by the boat tours and the snorkel and dive trips offered by the park concessioner at Convoy Point (call Biscayne National Underwater Park, Inc. at 305-230-1100 for schedules, rates, and reservations).
Convoy Point is the only place in the park which is accessible by car. Picnic tables and grills, the park's new visitor center, and the concession operation are located here.
The park's first permanent visitor center opened in July, 1997. The Dante Fascell Visitor Center offers a video orientation to the park, museum exhibits, book sales, and information and assistance.
Three hour park tour boat trips, departing at 10:00 a.m., and four hour snorkel trips, departing at 1:30 p.m, are offered daily by the park's concessioner, Biscayne National Underwater Park, Inc. The park tour trips are normally glass bottom boat tours to the living coral reefs but, due to weather/water conditions or previous commitments, may be trips to undeveloped Elliott Key (the first of the Florida Keys) or Boca Chita Key. Dive trips are also offered for those with SCUBA certification. Reservations for all boat tours are highly recommended. Call (305) 230-1100 for pricing, reservations, and additional information. Canoe rentals for those wishing to explore the mangrove shoreline are also available.
To see a schedule of our special programs, See our our current Activities Calendar.
Trails:
At Convoy Point, a boardwalk takes visitors to the end of the jetty (one-quarter mile round trip). At Boca Chita Key, there is a one-quarter mile loop nature trail. At Elliott Key, there is a three-quarter mile loop nature trail that takes visitors across the island through the hardwood hammock. A second trail, seven miles long, provides access to north and south ends of the island. Adams Key has a one-quarter mile loop nature trail. Adams Key is a day use area only.
Currently, Boca Chita Key, Elliott Key, and Adams Key are accessible by occasional concession operated trips or private boat only. The concessioner does not offer regularly scheduled service to the islands, but visitors wishing transportation should contact them at (305) 230-1100 for availability of their occasional service.
Lodging and camping facilities:
Lodging is available in Homestead and Florida City. Campgrounds are available on Elliott Key and Boca Chita Key. Elliott Key offers picnic tables and grills, restrooms, cold water showers, and fresh water. Boca Chita Key offers picnic tables, grills and restrooms--there is no fresh water. A group campsite is available on Elliott Key. Reservations are not accepted for individual camp sites. Currently, the park's concessioner does not offer scheduled taxi service to the islands and access to the campgrounds is by private boat or the concessioner's occasional service (call (305) 230-1100 for availability) only.
Camping is only allowed in the two designated campgrounds-- backcountry camping is not allowed in the park. There is no trash pickup on the islands. Please return all trash to the mainland for proper disposal.
Camping Fees (effective October 1st, 1998): $10.00 per night (maximum 6 people and 2 tents per site) for individual camp sites. $25.00 per night (maximum 25 people and 6 tents) for the Elliott Key group campsite. The $15.00 per night overnight docking fee at the Boca Chita Key and Elliott Key harbors includes the use of one individual campsite. There is a 50% discount for holders of Golden Age or Golden Access Passports.
Food / Supplies:
Food, gas and supplies are available at stores in Homestead and Florida City.
Accessibility:
Facilities at Convoy Point are wheelchair accessible. The crew will provide needed assistance for wheel chair access to glass bottom boat tours.
Pets:
Pets are only allowed in the developed areas of Convoy Point and Elliott Key and must be kept on a leash six feet or less in length. Pets, except those used to assist individuals with disabilities, are not allowed on any other islands (including Boca Chita Key and Adams Key), in the shallow waters (less than three feet deep) surrounding the islands, or on boats docked at the islands.
RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES / PARK USE:
In addition, see our schedule of special programs by clicking here for our current Activities Calendar.
ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:
There are a wide range of activities available in the south Florida area. For additional information contact Tropical Everglades Visitor Association, 160 US Highway 1, Florida City, FL 33034, 1-800-388-9669. You may also contact The Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, 701 Brickell Avenue, Miami, FL 33131, (305) 539-3000.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Contact Park Headquarters, Biscayne National Park, 9700 SW 328th Street, Homestead, FL 33033-5634, E-mail the park at BISC_Information@nps.gov, or call (305) 230-PARK (7275).
Books, videos, and other educational products about Biscayne National Park and its resources are available from the Florida National Parks & Monuments Association's Online Bookstore. (Use your browser's "Back" button to return to this page.)
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