BISCAYNE BOAT LAUNCHES
The National Park Service does not operate any mainland public launches for motorized boats in Biscayne National Park, so you must use local Miami-Dade County parks. All of these have fees to launch your boat. Those with canoes or kayaks can launch from Convoy Point at the Dante Fascell Visitor Center (free).
Here is a list of boat ramps in order of distance, closet to farthest, from the Visitor Center:
DANTE FASCELL VISITOR CENTER
Free hand-launched watercraft ramp adjacent to the parking lot. If you plan to paddle out to Elliott or Boca Chita Keys and camp overnight, get a parking permit from inside the Visitor Center before you go.
HERBERT HOOVER MARINA AT HOMESTEAD BAYFRONT PARK
You might as well call this marina Biscayne National Park’s marina because it is practically next to the Visitor Center.
BLACK POINT PARK
This marina allows you to launch directly into Biscayne National Park, but it is a little farther north from the Visitor Center.
MATHESON HAMMOCK PARK
This marina is outside the park boundary, and people launching from here are most likely interested in boating in general, not necessarily entering the park.
CRANDON PARK
This marina is located on Key Biscayne, which allows access to the northernmost section of the park. While most people launching from here are just interested in a day of boating, it is the closest boat ramp to Stiltsville, a popular Biscayne National Park landmark.
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Last updated on February 28, 2021
