Biscayne National Park Institute, Homestead

Just visited Biscayne National Park for the first time. I had a great visit because of booking the Heritage Tour with the Biscayne National Park Institute. This national park is 95% water and so the Institute will provide you with many different way to explore the park and enjoy the park to its fullest. The Heritage Tour is a group tour that goes out on a large pontoon boat. The tour takes you about 10 miles across the ocean to the keys that make up the main land portion of the park. The mate/naturalist on the trip provides great information about the history of the park and also about the diversity of wildlife that the park supports. When you make it out to Adams Key the captain stops the boat while you learn about some of the families that had homes out in these keys and some of the commercial ventures that some of the business people in Miami wanted to start here at one time or another. After another run to the north of Adams Key past Sand Key to Boca Chita key where the boat docks and you are able to get out for a while and explore the key. This is the key that has the "lighthouse" that was never a lighthouse (we will not spoil that story for when you take the tour). You get to climb to the top of the tower and look around at the great view. This is a popular camping and boat mooring location for residents of South Florida so there is lots of loud music and gatherings happening on the island. You lose a little bit a the National Park feel, but it is still and interesting and beautiful place. When you depart Boca Chita you head back diagonally to the visitor centers completing a big triangle. The total boat trip took 3 1/2 hours and was a very pleasant way to get out on the water and really enjoy Biscayne Bay National Park. Be sure to check the Institute's web site for a variety of other options including padeling, snorkeling, and sailing adventures that are offered.

Fantastic way to safely explore this park for a not so strong swimmer. Tour guide (Jacob or Jason?) took our group out kayaking and was extremely knowledgeable about the wildlife and had everyone’s safety in mind the entire time. You can see pelicans, manatees, and fish right underneath you. This is a great way to enjoy the waters of this National Park and I had a blast! Highly, highly recommended them!