Elliot Key harbor in Biscayne National Park
Biscayne National Park’s Elliott Key has a harbor with 33 boat slips that hold two boats each, one on either side of the dock. The island is not as popular as Boca Chita Key, so it is much easier to get a space for your boat. I visited on a Thursday in early March, and while the Boca Chita Key Harbor was 60 percent full, there were only two boats at Elliott Key. A park volunteer who was on the island when I arrived told me that she has never seen it get full. If it does, you can always anchor offshore and wade in or use a dinghy to get back to the island. Also, many boats just stop for the day, so if you are camping on the weekend and can’t get dock space during the day, spots may free up after 6 PM.
One reason why the Elliott Key Harbor is not as popular as the Boca Chita Key Harbor is because it is much shallower, which means the really big boats cannot enter. At low tide the entrance is only 2.5′ deep, and I believe only about 5′ at high tide, but I cannot confirm this (the park volunteer told me this figure). To determine low tide, add 3 hours and 25 minutes to Miami’s Government Cut low tide schedule. High tide is plus 2 hours and 28 minutes.
There is a fee to dock from 6 AM to 6 PM on Fridays through Mondays and on Federal holidays (currently $25). There is no fee on Tuesdays through Thursdays during these times. If you are docked beyond 6 PM on any day of the year, there is a $35 camping fee that covers sleeping in your boat or tent camping on the island. This is in addition to the daytime docking fee (if one applies). Rangers can assess fines to those who are docked or camping without having paid the fee.
Payment must be made using the Recreation.gov app on your phone. It is best to download and install the app before heading to the park due to a potential lack of cell service. If there is no service, you can still make the payment. Information is stored in the app, and payment will be processed when you get to a location with service. For the latest fees, check the National Park Service’s official Fees and Passes web page for Biscayne National Park.
Boat dock at Elliott Key Harbor in Biscayne National Park
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Last updated on July 1, 2025
