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Categories: Fun & Games; Sports & Recreation; Outdoor Adventures
Overview.0 Mangrove trees sinking their roots into the water, sea anemones waving their arms in the currents, and brightly-colored schools of fish darting among coral reefs characterize this marine park. Fully 95 percent of Biscayne's 173,000 acres lie underwater. In the 1960s, developers coveted this long stretch of keys and reefs. The imminent threat to the fragile ecosystem, which demands unpolluted water to maintain coral and fish populations, prompted one Florida Congressman to work to set most of the area aside as a national monument. Upgraded to national park in 1980 to better protect its unique environment, the area now lures boaters, snorkelers, and divers by the dozens.
What to see and do. 0 At the handicapped-accessible Convoy Point's Dante Fascell Visitor Center, located on the mainland and open from 9 AM until 5 PM daily, several exhibits and videos introduce you to the many species of birds and marine life you can expect to encounter when on the keys. Most visitors spend their time in the water rather than on the islands. Call ahead for current information. If you don't have your own boat, check the concessionaire's schedule. You may want to take one of the glass-bottom boat tours. Glass bottom boat tours depart at 10 AM daily. Snorkeling and diving excursions to reefs or other suitable areas are also available. Snorkel trips depart at 1:30 PM daily. Reservations are recommended for snorkeling and required for scuba diving (305-230-1100). In nearby towns, you can rent boats, too. Reefs are the main attraction at Biscayne. Over 200 species of fish have been spotted in the waters, mostly because the reefs provide an ideal habitat. Exploring them up close can be an extraordinary experience. Fishing is also excellent.
Exploring on the keys is possible. A small campsite on Elliot Key, close by the key's ranger station, offers tent sites and showers. Transportation to Elliot Key for camping is available from the concessionaire with advance arrangements. There is an overnight docking fee at Elliot Key harbor and at Boca Chita harbor that includes the use of one individual campsite. A small beach with no lifeguards offers swimming. You can hike a short self-guiding nature trail or strike out along the seven-mile road running almost the length of the key. Keep your eyes open for zebra butterflies or the rare Schaus swallowtail butterfly. Above all, you'll want to watch for several species of birds. Biscayne's series of islands is a prime bird sanctuary; in fact, the Arsenicker keys are closed to visitors because they serve as crucial nesting sites. Brown pelicans are common, as are ibises and herons as they poke their beaks into the shallow waters searching for small fish and crustaceans. With your own water transportation, you can go from key to key.
The coral reefs are on the ocean side of the main keys. If you plan to boat among them, be sure to obtain a nautical chart beforehand because the going can be hazardous. But enjoy their variety -- no two reefs are the same because the small animals that created them grew differently each time. In shallower waters on the mainland side of the keys, look for manatees, which are slow-moving, peaceful creatures making their home along the shore line.
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Please call ahead to confirm details. We do our best to give you current information, but facts can change. Please let us know if you find something's changed.
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