Biscayne National Park’s Dante Fascell Visitor Center is at Convoy Point in Homestead, making it a practical day trip from Miami for park exhibits, a shoreline walk or a boat outing. Staying at Miami Princess Hotel puts the visitor center about a 60-minute drive away.
- Location: Convoy Point, Homestead, Florida
- Visitor center: Open daily, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Park entry: No entrance fee or pass requirement; other fees may apply.
- On land: The Convoy Point Jetty Walk is a 0.8-mile round trip.
- By boat: The park’s keys are accessible only by boat; advance reservations are advised for trips.
What to expect at the Dante Fascell Visitor Center
The Dante Fascell Visitor Center introduces Biscayne National Park through exhibits, films and a gallery, with a short walk along the water available outside.
The museum presents the park’s four ecosystems. Park films include “Connections,” a 20-minute feature presentation, and the art gallery features local artists. Free public Wi-Fi is available, though signal strength and availability can vary; cellular coverage is not available everywhere in the park or nearby area.
For fresh air after time indoors, the Convoy Point Jetty Walk makes a 0.8-mile round trip. Most of the route is a wooden boardwalk. The remaining section has a compact natural surface, where shallow puddles may form after rain.
Access features at the visitor center include ramp and elevator access, automatic door openers, accessible restrooms, ranger assistance and brochures in multiple languages, including Braille. Convoy Point also has four designated accessible parking spaces, wheelchair-accessible picnic tables and an accessible scenic boardwalk section along the Jetty Walk.
How do you get from Miami to Biscayne National Park?
The visitor center is at Convoy Point, 9700 SW 328th Street, Sir Lancelot Jones Way, Homestead, FL 33033, about 9 miles east of Homestead. If you’re coordinating airport travel with a Miami stay, Miami airport transportation options can help with the trip.
From the Florida Turnpike, take Exit 6 (Speedway Boulevard). Turn left from the exit ramp and continue south to SW 328th Street, also called North Canal Drive. Turn left and follow the road for four miles to its end; the park entrance is on the left before Homestead Bayfront Marina.
Boat trips, island access and reservations
Boat trips are the way to reach Biscayne National Park’s keys, and the National Park Service advises booking ahead for excursions.
The National Park Service lists trips with the Biscayne National Park Institute that include snorkeling, cruises to Boca Chita Key and its lighthouse, sailing on Biscayne Bay, and trips to Jones Lagoon. It also identifies Convoy Point, Deering Estate and Dinner Key as boat-tour departure points. The reefs lie more than 10 miles from the mainland by boat.
Other authorized operators offer services including tours, charters, transportation, fishing, diving, snorkeling and kiteboarding. Check operator details and availability as you plan. Personal watercraft, including jet skis and waverunners, are prohibited in the park.
If you’re boating your own craft, keep an eye on tides and water depth. Park waters cover more than 250 square miles, and most are shallow, so boats can run aground. The canoe and kayak launch is north of the Convoy Point parking lot; it is unpaved and has no handrails.
Homestead Bayfront Park has a swimming lagoon and a small beach next to the park.
Plan for weather, facilities and return travel
Weather patterns shape a Biscayne National Park outing: winters are normally dry and mild, while summers are hot and humid with scattered afternoon thunderstorms.
June through November is hurricane season. The National Park Service says late November through the end of April is the busiest period at the visitor center, so factor that pattern into your timing.
Convoy Point grounds are open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., while park waters are open around the clock, year-round. The visitor center and canoe and kayak launch have their own posted hours. If you arrive by rideshare, make sure your pickup service can reach you before the grounds close.
There is no entrance fee or pass requirement for Biscayne National Park, though parking, transportation or other fees may apply. For current hours, access details and operator information, check the official site before you go: the National Park Service.
FAQs
Is there an entrance fee for Biscayne National Park?
No entrance fee or pass is required. Parking, transportation or other fees may still apply.
Can you visit the park’s keys without a boat?
No. The National Park Service says the park’s keys are accessible only by boat.
How long is the Convoy Point Jetty Walk?
The round trip is 0.8 mile. Most of it follows a wooden boardwalk, with a compact natural-surface section.
Are jet skis allowed in Biscayne National Park?
No. Personal watercraft, including jet skis and waverunners, are prohibited in the park.