Last updated: January 16, 2018
Article
Boating in Biscayne National Park
Private boating is an amazing way to experience the marine ecosystems of Florida’s Biscayne National Park. Within sight of Miami, this coastal park preserves pristine waters, emerald islands, and coral reefs, all bursting with life. By boat, you can enjoy the protected waters of Biscayne Bay, travel to the northernmost Florida Keys, and explore living coral reefs. Your access to all of these magnificent resources is limited only by your available time and your skills as a boat operator. Since the park does not currently have a concessioner, there are few boat tours to the park's islands or reefs, making private boating the best way to reach these beautiful areas. There are four nearby county marinas that provide access to park waters for boaters seeking a wonderful ocean experience.
Most of the waters in Biscayne National Park are very shallow, however, so knowing the tides is very important. Vessel groundings cause extensive damage to personal property and fragile park resources.
To see the tide predictions for different locations within the park, visit the park’s boating webpages below.
Biscayne National Park also offers you the opportunity to learn more about how to boat safely and not endanger park resources. To best appreciate the beauty, immense value, and fragility of sea grass flats, coral reefs, and other habitats, it is important to understand how boater impacts can harm these precious resources. In conjunction with Everglades National Park, Biscayne National Park offers classes, taught in both English and Spanish, on local boating regulations and ways to improve your safe boating knowledge and skills. You can help protect our parks for future generations by becoming a safe and ecologically-conscious boater.