PLEASE NOTE, THIS POST MAY INCLUDE AFFILIATE LINKS, MEANING THAT IF YOU CLICK ON A LINK AND MAKE A PURCHASE, I'LL RECEIVE A SMALL COMMISION. THIS WILL COME AT NO COST TO YOU.

Our boat gently bounces over the turquoise, National Park water. If your eyes need a dose of the Caribbean, without the Caribbean travel, Biscayne National Park will quench your vision.

Biscayne National Park is one of the United States’ natural water parks. Though there is land, the park is mainly comprised of water.

The Dante Fascell Visitors’ Center (where you can get your park cancellation stamp), is located in Homestead, Florida.

There are a few paths guests can walk, and a building containing a small museum area, but if you want the full experience of Biscayne National Park, you will need to journey the water.

The Biscayne National Park Institute offers a variety of tours for all levels of adventure. The tours can be booked at the visitors’ center. There are kayaking and paddleboarding tours. Snorkeling tours, and sightseeing tours. Since this trip was after a surgery, I opted for the easy boat tour to Boca Chita Key.

Our guide from the Biscayne National Park Institute, provides a plethora of information. Our group learns about the water, vegetation, and wildlife in the park.

There is a nuclear power plant in the distance that is home to roughly 400 crocodiles. They enjoy the warmth of the power plant. It’s a science fiction movie waiting to happen. I’d call it Zombie Crocs (no wait, I just searched that and a movie already exists).

The boat ride alone, would make a pleasant excursion, but eventually we reach our icing-on-the-cake destination, Boca Chita Key.

As our tour boat docks at the small island, it’s evident this is a popular spot for locals.  There are multiple boats, brimming with picnicking passengers . There are tents scattered across the island, inhabited by weekend campers.

Our guide produces a key to the locked lighthouse door.

We ascend the stairs and are greeted with a dazzling view.

Fluffy clouds float across the sapphire sky. Clear cerulean water, glimmers. Palm trees sway in the breeze. I don’t think I could create a scene as ideal.

Though we linger for quite a bit at the top, we don’t want to miss a chance to wander the island.

The small marina sits on one side of the island.

A beach exists on the other. Visitors play games on the sliver of sand, splashing in the waveless water.

On the walk to the beach, I spot a starfish.  It’s a flawless Patrick.

I’m filled with glee.

There are 42 islands in the 173,000 acres of Biscayne National Park. Since our tour is only a half-day, Boca Chita Key is the only island we visit.

Soon it is time to leave. The boat glides back to the visitors’ center.

The motion creates a refreshing breeze. Spray jumps playfully around the sides of the boat. If I close my eyes, I am sure to fall into a tranquil meditation.

Biscayne National Park, is a park people tend to overlook. It should not be missed. The brilliant water, palm trees, and beaches, are a nice contrast from the swampy, alligator, mossy, views of Big Cypress, Shark Valley, and Flamingo, in the Everglades.

I recommend taking at least the half-day boat tour, with the Biscayne National Park Institute, but I’m sure the kayaking, paddleboarding and snorkeling trips are rewarding. Biscayne National Park will give you those Key West and Caribbean vibes, without the extra travel.

If you want to check out more National Park Sites in the are, check out

Everglades National Park-Shark Valley

Everglades National Park-Coe and Flamingo

Big Cypress National Preserve

Stay in Homestead as your trip home base

Related posts:

Things to Do in Homestead-Florida Everglades National Park-Coe and Flamingo Everglades National Park-Shark Valley Big Cypress National Preserve-Florida