Located on the shores of sunny south Florida, beautiful Biscayne Bay National Park offers an abundance of outdoor recreational activities for adventurers, relaxation seekers, and marine lovers. If in search for an active adventure, diving, snorkeling, kayaking, and canoeing are popular options. If looking for relaxation, then an escape to Elliot Island for a few days of camping under the stars is an absolute must. The beauty of Biscayne National Park lies just as much in the relaxation it affords as it does in its wealth of outdoor activities.
Biscayne National Park is home to more than 500 fish species, providing the park with unparalleled marine biodiversity. When the manatees, butterflies, birds, and various types of coral are added into the mix, the park is a terrific place for wildlife viewing.
With much of the activity happening under the water, snorkeling is widely considered as the best way to experience the park. Snorkeling in and around the park’s shallow reefs allows visitors to see endless schools of colorful fish.
For more adventurous marine lovers, diving in the waters of the park is the ultimate under water experience. In fact, the park offers one of the only wall dives in south Florida and the Florida Keys. For those without their own boat and dive gear, dive trips take place every Saturday and Sunday morning.
The mangrove shorelines of the unique park provide the perfect opportunity to kayak and explore their diverse habitat. Physically fit kayakers can cross the seven-mile-wide Biscayne Bay and camp or explore the more secluded corners of the sprawling park.
Camping is allowed on the enchanting Boca Chita and Elliot Keys. The keys can only be accessed by boat, but those without their own boat can reach the keys via the concessioner. Due to the park’s pleasant winter climate, the best time to experience a camping adventure is November through February.
Fishing and lobstering is also permitted in the park, as long as anglers follow the state fishing regulations. From lobsters and scallops to grouper and snapper, there are endless fish varieties just begging to be caught.
Images via Bruce Tuten, tiswango
