Florida
BISCAYNE
ESTABLISHED 1980
Dip your toes into the sublime waters of Biscayne Bay, and the hectic world slips away. Shimmering sun lights up the land and glints off the sea—here in this time capsule full of secrets of a rich, sometimes dark past.
On the northernmost point of the Florida Keys, a vibrant preserve nestles in the paradise waters of Biscayne Bay. Inhale the salty sea air and take in the boldly hued seascape, where the world’s third-longest coral-reef tract dances beneath the surface. Scattered across the water is Stiltville, a cluster of raised houses where Prohibition bootleggers once conducted their shady dealings and threw raucous gambling parties. Beneath the stilts, sunken ships tell hundreds of years of maritime tales— of Spanish Conquistadors, pirates, and unlucky sailors taken by turbulent seas.
It is a minor miracle Biscayne Bay National Park even exists. Adjacent to the rapidly developing coastline of Miami, this fragile ecosystem could easily have been swallowed up. Environmentalists and locals fought to save it, and today, it’s the longest undeveloped coastline in Florida.
At the lagoon, canoe through the mangroves to see birds, crabs, and manatees
Beauty by boat
With 95 percent of the park underwater, exploring by boat is the only way to go. Start at shoreside areas where manatee sightings are fairly common, and row through dense, junglelike forests of protected mangroves. Head farther out for snorkeling and scuba diving at their best. At Boca Chita Key, from the 65-foot (20-m) ornamental lighthouse, cast your eyes over the islands, bay, ocean, and Miami skyline.
FOCUS ON
Pirates
Elliot Key is the largest island in Biscayne Bay, and the surrounding waters have long been one of its key attractions. Historically, it was home to Pioneer communities of the Florida Keys, and was also a pirate stronghold. Legend goes that, in the 18th century, pirate Black Caesar joined forces with Blackbeard’s crew to loot treasure from passing ships. They posed as castaways along the shoreline to trick sailors into picking them up.
Marine Life |
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Biscayne Bay is one of the largest marine preserves in the nation, and its reef teems with aquatic mammals, dolphins, sea turtles, precious corals, and more than 600 native fish varieties. |
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Coral colonies Reefs created by coral colonies provide vital nutrients for all living things beneath the surface. Distinct shapes of fans and flowers sway with the currents, inviting marine life into the fortresslike nursery. |
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Seaweed-eating parrotfish These creatures clean coral reefs with their sharp front teeth, exposing rich food sources for other aquatic creatures to feed on. They are protected, as they are key to a healthy bio-network. |
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Sharks Florida coastal waters host one of the world’s most diverse shark populations—lemon, nurse, bull, tiger, and more. Apex predators, sharks aid aquatic diversity and are vital to the health of marine ecosystems. |
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Manatee Also called a “sea cow,” the manatee is Florida’s official marine mammal and is a mainstay in local folklore. It is federally endangered and protected, although sightings are relatively common. |
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Mangrove hammocks By connecting land and sea, mangrove hammocks provide a safe habitat to birds, and aquatic and land species. They erode pollutants caught in their twisted branches, cleaning the waters. |
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The islands are home to a variety of subtropical plants and lush mangroves
The lighthouse sits at the entrance to Boca Chita Key, where boats dock at the island