Biscayne National Park

Biscayne is the largest marine national park in the National Park System — 95% of its 173,000 acres are underwater. The park protects the northern reach of the Florida Reef (the only living tropical coral reef in the continental United States), the mangrove shoreline of Biscayne Bay, and a chain of 40+ northern-Keys islands accessible only by boat. The mainland visitor area is at Convoy Point (Dante Fascell Visitor Center), where the boats depart for snorkeling, diving, and island tours. There is no entrance fee, no entrance gate, and no road access to the islands themselves. From I-95 the standard route is Exit 1 (US-1 south), then 35 mi south to Homestead, then 9 mi east on SW 328 St (N Canal Dr) to Convoy Point. The park is most affected by hurricanes — periodic closures during tropical-storm warnings.

• 95% underwater — the largest marine national park in the contiguous US
• Protects the northernmost living coral reef in the continental US (the Florida Reef)
• Park has no entrance fee and no entrance gate
• Islands accessible only by boat — concession boat tours from Convoy Point
• Designated 1980 (formerly a national monument since 1968)

• Dante Fascell Visitor Center at Convoy Point
• Boca Chita Key (boat-accessible, lighthouse, picnic area)
• Elliott Key (largest island, primitive camping)
• Snorkel and dive boat tours (concessioner)
• Maritime Heritage Trail — six historic shipwreck dive sites

Best months: December through April — drier, cooler, lowest hurricane risk.

Closures: Park is open year-round with no scheduled closures, but hurricane warnings (June–November) can close access for days at a time. Boat tours run year-round but are weather-dependent.

Notes: Boats fill quickly; book tours through the concessioner (Biscayne National Park Institute) days or weeks ahead, especially in winter peak season.