Biscayne National Park: Comprehensive Guide Topics and Planning Resources

A submerged paradise of coral reefs, mangrove islands, and marine life at the edge of Miami

Biscayne National Park

Biscayne National Park represents one of the most unusual protected areas in the United States National Park System, where the submerged environments are the primary focus of protection rather than terrestrial landscapes. Located in the southernmost reach of the Atlantic barrier islands and the northernmost extension of the Florida Keys, the park encompasses a remarkable transition zone where the Nearctic and Neotropical ecological realms meet, creating exceptional biodiversity. The park's marine environments include the shallow, semi-enclosed lagoon of Biscayne Bay, which averages only 10 feet in depth and supports extensive seagrass meadows and mangrove forests. Beyond the chain of coral limestone keys, the offshore waters contain the Florida Reef, one of the largest coral reef systems in the Western Hemisphere. The park's 42 islands range from rocky coral-based formations in the south to transitional sand and coral islands in the north, all fringed with mangrove forests. Visitors access the park primarily by boat, with the Dante Fascell Visitor Center at Convoy Point serving as the main gateway. The park offers exceptional opportunities for snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, and wildlife observation, with the Maritime Heritage Trail providing access to historic shipwrecks. The islands support rare tropical vegetation including endangered cacti and palms, while the beaches provide nesting habitat for threatened sea turtles.