Biscayne National Park, Homestead, Florida, USA
Biscayne National Park protects one of the largest reef systems in the world. This park is 95% water, so the best way to explore it is by boat, making it very unique from many of the US national parks.
Dante Fascell Visitor Center: 9700 SW 328th St, Homestead, Florida, USA
The only way to see Biscayne National Park is through a tour company.
Biscayne National Park Institute is the main authorized tour company for Biscayne National Park. They run various tours, from snorkeling and scuba diving tours, kayaking or standup paddle boarding tours to Jones Lagoon, and visits to Boca Chita, Adams and Elliott Keys.
Most people see the park by visiting Boca Chita Key or by snorkeling in the designated areas.
The tickets to all these tours can be purchased at Dante Fascell Visitor Center.
What is a “key?”
The term “key” comes from the Spanish word “cayo,” which means “small island.” Keys are formed on the surface of a coral reef. The Florida Keys stretch from Biscayne Bay to Dry Tortugas National Park. There are over 800 keys spanning 180 miles.
I was not up to snorkeling, so I purchased a tour of Boca Chita Key. It is an hour of boat riding to the key, an hour and a half on the key, and then another hour coming back.
Miami city far away
Boca Chita Key is coming into view
A chapel
Going up to the top of the lighthouse. This lighthouse is not being used currently.
View from the top
Spanning view of the key (small island). One can see four smaller keys.
The one in the middle and another far away are two different keys.
Coming down from the top
Spanning view
Looking back
Turned left
There is a walking trail inside this gate
but it was flooded, so I turned back
Leaving the key
Came back to the visitor center