Posted on Tueasday, 8.24.2010

Biscayne National Park - Things to do in Miami

Downtown Miami, now overgrown by skyscrapers and high-rises, has been the subject of the Miami real estate boom for the past decade. Now filled with new residents, retailers and the Miami Heat, its hard to imagine that just miles away from this pulsating area is  a natural wonder that is know from around the world.   

Just across Biscayne Bay but a world apart from Downtown Miami is Biscayne National Park, the longest undeveloped shoreline on Florida's east coast. The Biscayne National Park reveals its wonders with its clear waters, coral reefs, mangroves and marine life.  The park consumes 181,500 acres that include a stretch of the mainland, much of Biscayne Bay and a large number of small barrier islands off the coast.

Once a parking lot for Spanish vessels and a haven for pirates and buccaneers, Biscayne Park is a now favorite amongst tourists. Biscayne National Park offers plenty of things to do in Miami for outdoor enthusiasts from boating (boat rentals with www.MiamiBoat.com), snorkeling, canoe trips, scuba diving (click her to see all scuba diving clubs), kayaking, sailing and windsurfing. There are also guided tours in glass bottom boat trips, island excursions and Ranger talks. 

The major attraction of the park and a favorite amongst Floridians is fishing. There are 512 species of fish in Biscayne National Park, ranging from less than an inch to over 10 feet in length. Biscayne National Park’s waters are some of the clearest in the state and a making inshore and offshore fishing exceptional all year long.

Visitors can access the park either by renting a boat or by using a shuttle that will bring them there. Access to anything beyond the mainland will require a boat since most of the park is covered by water. Biscayne National Underwater Park, Inc. is the park’s concessioner and they offer boat trips to the parks reefs and islands, and also offers canoe and kayak rentals. However, concession operated boat trips offer limited accessibility and we suggest that arrangements be made ahead of time.  You may contact them by calling 305-230-1100.

In addition, for being a popular tourist destination, there are many Miami vacation apartments and Miami vacation homes available throughout South Florida.