Mako 253: Private Biscayne National Park Boat Tours
Every trip is custom. Tell us what you'd love to do, whether that's Boca Chita, sandbars, snorkeling, Stiltsville or the Miami skyline, and we'll plan your day around it. Mako My Day, our 25' Mako 253, was remodeled and repowered in 2022 with a Yamaha 300 HO. She's quick and comfortable, with an onboard toilet and shade, room for up to 6 guests, and departures from Black Point Park & Marina in Homestead, FL 33032.
Boca Chita Express (2 Hours, Mako 253)
A beautiful ride across Biscayne Bay to Boca Chita Key on the barrier islands, with about 45 minutes on the island for the beach, the trail and the lighthouse, then a relaxed cruise back to the marina. Private, for up to 6 guests.
$500 for a private trip (up to 6 guests). Runs Monday–Friday at 9 AM, 12 PM and 3 PM, on Mako My Day only.
Gratuity isn't included in the trip price. If you enjoyed your day on the water, a 20% tip for your captain and crew is customary and always appreciated.
Private Charters on the Mako 253
Every charter on Mako My Day, our 25' Mako remodeled and repowered in 2022 with a Yamaha 300 HO, is private and custom for up to 6 guests. Choose 4, 6 or 8 hours and build your day from the stops below. Fuel is based on the current price at the marina. 4-hour trips start at 9 AM or 2 PM. 6 and 8-hour trips are one per day, with the start time arranged with the captain.
Includes captain, boat fees, ice and water, life jackets, snorkel gear and vests, and noodles. Onboard toilet and shade. Maximum party of six.
Gratuity isn't included in the trip price. If you enjoyed your day on the water, a 20% tip for your captain and crew is customary and always appreciated.
Discounts
We love giving back. Military, veterans, police, first responders, teachers, nurses, Miami-Dade residents, nonprofits and school groups get 10% off. Returning guests get 10% off their next trip, and Monday-to-Thursday trips get 10% off too. Mention it when you book and show a valid ID at the dock. One discount per booking.
Build Your Trip
Every charter is private and custom. These aren't set packages: pick the stops you like, mix and match them, and Captain Pablo Treto will plan a route that fits your day, the tide and the weather. Where we go and where we snorkel always depends on that day's weather and sea conditions, and the captain makes the final call for everyone's safety.
VISIT THE ISLANDS
• Boca Chita Key: the park's iconic 65-ft lighthouse, a half-mile trail and views of the bay and the Miami skyline.
• Elliott Key: the largest island in the park, with a mile-long loop trail and picnic spots on the bay side.
• Adams Key: a quiet day-use island on Caesar Creek, once home to the famous Cocolobo Club.
SNORKEL THE MARITIME HERITAGE TRAIL (weather permitting, calm seas only)
• Mandalay: a 1966 schooner wreck on Long Reef. The park calls it one of the best shipwreck snorkels anywhere.
• Fowey Rocks Lighthouse: the 1878 "Eye of Miami" on the reef. Snorkel around its base (the lighthouse itself is closed to visitors).
• Arratoon Apcar: an 1878 wreck a few hundred yards from Fowey Rocks, right where the lighthouse was being built.
SNORKEL THE MANGROVES AND SHALLOWS
• Coon Point: a shallow fringing reef and seagrass on the bay side of Elliott Key.
• University Dock: clear, calm water at the north end of Elliott Key.
• Mangrove roots shelter juvenile fish, so this is a great first snorkel for families.
Swimmers and snorkelers must be under 275 lbs and able to climb our vertical marine ladder back aboard without help.
RELAX AT A SANDBAR
• Billy's Point: on the bay side of Elliott Key. It's calm and shallow, perfect for wading and floating.
• Sands Cut: the sandy shallows at Sands Cut, the cut between the north tip of Elliott Key and Sands Key, depending on the tide.
CRUISE AND SIGHTSEE
• Stiltsville: the famous houses on stilts out on the shallow flats just south of Cape Florida (Key Biscayne), with stories going back to the 1930s.
• Soldier Key: a small, remote island in the northern part of the park, between the Ragged Keys and Key Biscayne. It's a protected bird-nesting island, so we view it from the water (no landing).
• Staying aboard? Just cruise and enjoy the islands, the wildlife and the views without getting wet.
GO LOBSTERING (IN SEASON)
• Catch spiny lobster during Florida's open season, August 6 through March 31. The captain's license covers up to 4 guests; any additional lobstering guests need their own Florida saltwater fishing license with a lobster permit.
GO FARTHER (best on 6 or 8-hour trips)
• Downtown Miami: head north past Stiltsville for the skyline from the water.
• Key Largo: run south through the park toward the upper Keys.
Want to fish? Fishing charters run on Mako My Day. See fishing charters on the Mako 253 page.
Just Boca Chita? Our 2-hour Boca Chita trip runs on Mako My Day. See Mako 253 Charters.
Park fees: Biscayne National Park charges a day-use/docking fee at Boca Chita and Elliott Key on Friday through Monday and federal holidays. It isn't included in your charter rate.
Custom Trips: transportation and multi-day trips anywhere from Fort Lauderdale to Key West, including the Intracoastal and the Keys. Email hello@coastalrunners.com to plan yours.
Island Camping Drop-Off & Pick-Up
$450.00 round trip
fuel included · paid in full at booking
Spend a night (or a few) under the stars in Biscayne National Park. Captain Pablo runs you and your gear across the bay on the Mako at 7 AM, drops you at Boca Chita Key or Elliott Key, and comes back for you at 7 AM on the day you choose. Up to 6 campers with light camping gear.
Gratuity isn't included in the trip price. If you enjoyed your day on the water, a 20% tip for your captain and crew is customary and always appreciated.
Good to know before you go
• Captain's pick: Boca Chita Key. The bugs on Elliott Key are pretty bad year round.
• Campsite fees aren't included. They're paid directly to the park on the island: download the free Recreation.gov app, create a login, then scan the QR code at the island kiosk. It works without cell service and goes through once you're back in range.
• Campsites are first come, first served, with no advance reservations.
• Each site has a charcoal grill and picnic table. Bring your own charcoal and cooking utensils.
• There are no garbage cans on the islands, so all trash must be hauled back out.
• Boca Chita has no drinking water, so bring all your water. Bring bug spray and reef-safe sunscreen.
(Maximum Party of Six)
Fishing Charters
Fishing charters are for up to 4 guests. Every trip includes your captain, boat fees, water, ice, fishing licenses, bait, chum, all fishing gear and fish cleaning so you can take your catch home.
Caught Inside Biscayne National Park
Near Shore / Offshore Fishing (4hrs)
$1,250 plus fuel
fuel price is based on current price at the marina
Join us for a trip targeting inshore species like snapper, grouper, barracuda, snook, permit, tarpon and speckled sea trout. An excellent trip for all experience levels.
(Maximum Party of Four)
Near Shore / Offshore Fishing (6hrs)
$1,550 plus fuel
fuel price is based on current price at the marina
Join us for a trip where we will be targeting Snapper, Grouper and other bottom fish with the occasional pelagic on the flat line. We will work the waters from North Key Largo to Miami as well as Biscayne National Park. Fishing charters run 4, 6 or 8 hours on Mako My Day only, one trip per day, with the start time arranged with the captain. 8 hours: $1,850 plus fuel.
(Maximum Party of Four) Gratuity isn't included in the trip price. If you enjoyed your day on the water, a 20% tip for your captain and crew is customary and always appreciated.
Onboard Amenities
Cabin with V-berth
Onboard toilet
Cabin with V-berth | Onboard toilet
