Biscayne National Park Activity and Calendar Guide
Welcome to the Biscayne National Park Activity and Calendar Guide.
Below you will find information about visitor centers, ranger led programs, activities for children, and special events that occur on certain dates or throughout the year.
Below you will find information about visitor centers, ranger led programs, activities for children, and special events that occur on certain dates or throughout the year.
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Visitor Center
The only visitor center and park headquarters are located at Convoy Point.
| Facility | Dates Opened | Hours | Location |
| Park Headquarters | Year round | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily | Convoy Point |
| Convoy Point | Year round | 8:30 am - 4:30 pm - Weekdays 8:30 am - 5:00 pm - Weekends Closed Christmas Day |
Convoy Point |
Special Events and Programs
Biscayne National Park is open year round. But the majority of park visitors come from January to April and July to September. The park is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week (except Christmas Day).
Of Biscayne's 180,000 acres, 95% is under water, so most of the activities in this national park are water activities: boating, canoeing, diving, fishing, sailing, snorkeling, swimming, water skiing and camping.
Ranger Activities
Rangers give guided glass-bottom boat tours. Reservations are recommended. Check park bulletin boards and visitor centers for the current program schedule.
A schedule of ranger activities can be obtained when you enter the park.
Daily / Weekly Activities
Glass Bottom Boat Trip
Daily
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Visiting the reefs and islands of Biscayne National Park are a highlight of any visit. Windy conditions, common during winter months, will allow you to explore the Florida Keys on foot with less annoyance from insects, while calm conditions afford an opportunity to see the spectacular world of the coral reef. Sea turtles, hogfish and colorful tropical fish are just a few of the surprises you might encounter on this three-hour boat tour. Reservations are recommended.
Fees are:
- $ 19.95 plus tax for adults
- $ 12.95 for children under 12 years
- $ 17.95 for seniors
Snorkeling Trip
Daily
1:30 pm - 5:30 pm
One of the best ways to appreciate the beauty of the park is by snorkeling over the living coral reefs or in Biscayne Bay. Reservations are recommended. A 15-minute orientation, conducted by a park ranger begins 30 minutes before departure. Water time 1 hour 15 minutes.
- Fee is $ 29.95 plus tax and includes all required equipment.
Scuba Diving
Saturday - Sunday Only
8:30 am - 1:00 pm
Certified divers can discover the wonder and pristine beauty of South Florida's living coral reefs. Reservations are required.
- Fee is $ 44.95 plus tax (tanks included; additional equipment rental extra).
Ranger's Choice Program
Daily
2:30 pm
From porch talks to short walks, learn about Biscayne's diverse resources with a park ranger. Programs range from 20 minutes to an hour. Call that day for the day's topic. Meet on the front porch of the Dante Fascell Visitor Center.
Call: 305-230-7275 for information
Canoe and Kayak Tours
Saturdays
9:00 am - Noon
Have you ever wanted to float across the surface of the bay and drift with the wind and waves? Take a two-hour journey along the park's shoreline, with detours up side creeks and stops for viewing wildlife. Bring drinking water, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, insect repellent, sturdy shoes you don't mind getting wet and lots of positive energy. Provide your own kayak or canoe, or rent one from the park's concessioner at the discounted rate of $ 16.00.
Call: 305-230-1100 for reservations.
Monthly Activities - Island Tours
January through May (one day each month, call: 305-230-1100 for exact day)
1:30pm - 4:30 pm
Boca Chita Key: A Millionaire's Retreat
A former hideaway for the rich and famous in the early 1900s, Boca Chita is now Biscayne National Park's most popular island. Join a ranger for a leisurely stroll past the historic lighthouse, walls and pavilion.
Boat fee are:
-
$ 19.95 for adults
$ 17.95 for seniors
$ 12.95 for kids under 12
Elliott Key: Island Dreaming
Covered by a tropical hardwood forest, Elliott Key offers visitors an opportunity to see the Florida Keys the way they used to be, and get a glimpse into the lives of the people who made this island their home.
Boat fee are:
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$ 19.95 for adults
$ 17.95 for seniors
$ 12.95 for kids under 12
Junior Ranger Program
Family Fun Fests - First Sunday of Every Month
1:00 - 4:00 pm
Three full hours of activities for kids and kids-at-heart! Each month features a different theme with lots of hands-on activities. Complete them all and you'll earn a special button! All activities take place at the Dante Fascell Visitor Center.
January
Coral Reefs: Rainforests of the Sea: There are more types of plants and animals on coral reefs than anywhere else in the ocean. Come find out about reefs by making a coral polyp, learning what corals eat, adding fish to our reef mural, and more!
February
Fish-O-Rama: Did you know that Biscayne National Park has over 200 different kinds of fish? From tiger sharks to tiny gobies, fish are fascinating. Come play "Pin-a-fin," learn how to identify fish and measure them properly, and make a fish of your own to take home!
March
Trash and Treasures: Look What the Tide Brought In: Winds and tides bring all kinds of things to Biscayne's shores. Take a look at some of the more unusual things that have been found, and learn about the problem of marine debris.
April
Park Ranger for a Day: National Park rangers protect some of America's greatest treasures. Celebrate National Park Week by learning about glaciers, rock art, civil war soldiers and more in some of the best hands-on activities from parks around the country.
May
Diving Into the Past: Shipwrecks are like time capsules, full of information that can teach us a lot about the past. But how do underwater archaeologists "do their thing?" Help map a mock shipwreck site, listen to the stories an 18th century cannon can tell, and lots more.
For further information on any of these program, please call the park's Visitor Center at: 305-230-7275.
The Dante Fascell Visitor Center at Convoy Point is located nine miles east of Homestead on S.W. 328th Street (North Canal Drive), adjacent to Homestead Bayfront Park and Marina.
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