Biscayne National Park Day Trip from Miami
Biscayne National Park is the national park most Miami visitors drive right past. It sits at the southern edge of Miami-Dade County, less than an hour from downtown, and about 95% of it is water: clear bays, mangrove shorelines, coral reefs and a chain of islands you can only reach by boat. I'm Captain Pablo Treto of Coastal Runners, and I take private groups out into the park every week from Black Point Park & Marina. Here's how to plan a Biscayne National Park day trip from Miami, from the drive down to the ride home.
Getting from Miami to Biscayne National Park
From Brickell or downtown Miami, plan on about 40 to 50 minutes by car to the park's mainland side in Homestead. From Miami Beach, give yourself about an hour, and a little more during rush hour. The easiest route is the Florida Turnpike south or US-1 south, then east toward the bay.
There are two mainland spots most people use:
Convoy Point and the Dante Fascell Visitor Center: the park's headquarters, with exhibits, a short boardwalk and a jetty with great bay views. It's a good first stop to get your bearings.
Black Point Park & Marina: a Miami-Dade County park right on the bay, with a marina, a waterfront restaurant and a launch point for boat trips. This is where Coastal Runners departs: 24775 SW 87th Ave, Homestead, FL 33032.
Parking is available at both. Arrive about 15 to 20 minutes before your boat departs so there's time to park, use the restroom and meet your captain at the dock.
Why You Need a Boat
Unlike most national parks, Biscayne has no scenic drive and no trail system to the good stuff. The islands, the reefs, the sandbars and Stiltsville are all out on the water. You can rent a kayak at Convoy Point and paddle the mangroves, which is fun, but the outer islands and reefs are miles offshore. A private charter is the simplest way to see the highlights in one day without worrying about navigation, shallow flats or weather.
A Sample Day Trip Itinerary
Every private trip is different, and we build each one around your group. Here's what a classic day in the park can look like.
Morning: Boca Chita Key
We leave Black Point in the morning when the bay is usually calmest and head out toward Boca Chita Key, about 30 to 40 minutes by boat. The island's ornamental lighthouse was built in the 1930s by Mark Honeywell, and the little harbor, picnic area and walking trail make it the park's most famous stop. Climb off the boat, stretch your legs and take the photo everyone takes. Read more in our Boca Chita Key boat tour page and our complete guide to visiting Boca Chita Key.
Midday: Snorkeling or the Sandbar
Depending on wind and water clarity, we'll either snorkel a shallow patch reef or grass flat, or anchor at a sandbar where the water is knee-deep and clear enough to see rays and little fish swimming by. Snorkel gear is provided, and we carry life vests in sizes from toddler to adult, so the whole family can join in. See our Miami sandbar boat charter for more.
Afternoon: Stiltsville
On the way back toward the north end of the park, we can cruise by Stiltsville, the cluster of wooden houses standing on pilings in the shallow flats off Cape Florida. They date back to the days of gambling clubs and fishing shacks, and they're one of the most unusual sights in South Florida. Learn more on our Stiltsville boat tour page or in our post about Stiltsville and the sandbar.
Along the way, keep an eye out for dolphins, sea turtles, rays, pelicans and, in the cooler months, manatees. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but this is wild water and something usually shows up.
Best Time of Year for a Day Trip
The dry season, roughly November through April, is the most popular time to visit. Mornings are cool, skies are clear and the bay is often calm, which is why families from the Northeast love it during winter break, Presidents' Week and spring break. Summer brings warmer water and great snorkeling days, along with afternoon storms, so we plan those trips early. For a month-by-month look, read the best time of year to visit Biscayne National Park.
What to Bring
Reef-safe sunscreen, hats and polarized sunglasses
Swimsuits, towels and a change of clothes
A light jacket or hoodie for breezy rides
Water and snacks
A waterproof phone pouch or small dry bag
Any motion-sickness remedy, taken before departure
Our what to bring checklist and our post on what to bring on a Biscayne boat trip cover the details.
Make It a Full South Florida Day
If you're driving down from Miami anyway, there's plenty to add around your boat trip. Everglades National Park's Homestead entrance is about 30 minutes from the marina, and the Anhinga Trail is one of the best places in Florida to see alligators up close. The Redland agricultural area has fruit stands, farms and a winery. And if you want to keep going, Key Largo is about 45 minutes south.
Safety and Weather
Your safety comes first on every trip. I watch the marine forecast closely, and if wind or storms make conditions uncomfortable, we'll adjust the route or reschedule. Every guest gets a life jacket that fits, and kids are always welcome. Visit our Biscayne National Park tours page to see every trip we offer, or learn more about the park itself on our Biscayne National Park guide.
Enter to Win a Free Boat Day
We're giving away a free private boat day in Biscayne National Park. Entering takes a minute, and you can earn bonus entries by following Coastal Runners on Instagram, Facebook and X. The current round runs through January 16. Enter the giveaway here.
Book Your Biscayne National Park Day Trip
Every Coastal Runners trip is private: just your group, your captain and the park. Tell me what you'd like to see and who's coming, and I'll help you plan the day.
📞 Call or text 305-842-1119
✉️ hello@coastalrunners.com
See you on the water,
Captain Pablo Treto
Coastal Runners, LLC
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