Quick Details
Date: Friday, August 7th, 2026.
Time: 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Meeting Location: Dinner Key Marina in Coconut Grove
Shooting Location: Cape Florida, Fowey Rocks, and Boca Chita Lighthouse and Stiltsville, cruising the Biscayne Bay.
Group Size: up to 20 participants.
Important Information:
- Please read the information below for all the details on this workshop.
- Camera equipment is not included; please bring your own gear and review the required equipment dropdown below.
Capture Biscayne National Park Golden Hour!
Departing from Dinner Key Marina in Coconut Grove, this premier photography cruise takes you across Biscayne Bay to shoot local wildlife and South Florida’s three iconic historic lighthouses: Cape Florida, Fowey Rocks, and Boca Chita Key.
Led by acclaimed photographer and author Kirsten Hines, you will enjoy expert, hands-on instruction throughout the evening, including a one-hour island stop at Boca Chita and a golden hour cruise past the legendary houses of Stiltsville.
Experience Highlights
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Historic Beacons: Photograph Cape Florida, Fowey Rocks, and the unique architecture of Boca Chita Key.
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Island Exploration: Enjoy a 1-hour stop to walk the trails, photograph the shoreline, and explore Boca Chita Lighthouse.
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Stiltsville at Sunset: Catch the sunset over Biscayne’s famous stilt houses on the water.
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Coastal Wildlife: Capture birds on the flight and on the water—including Brown Boobies, pelicans, and cormorants—alongside chances to spot the bay’s resident dolphin pod.
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Expert Instruction: Receive personalized photography tips and composition guidance at every stop.
About Your Instructor:
Kirsten Hines is an award‑winning wildlife photographer, writer, and speaker whose work champions the connection between people and nature. Raised in the Philippines and now based in Florida, she blends scientific insight with artistic vision and global perspective to tell stories that spark curiosity and conservation. Her ten books—including Wild Florida: An Animal Odyssey, Birds of Florida, and several Florida‑focused natural history titles—have earned national recognition and multiple gold medals. Her photography appears in exhibitions, public art programs, and major nature‑photography showcases. A lively speaker and top‑rated instructor, she travels widely to teach, guide, and inspire. Learn more at www.KirstenHines.com and be sure to check out her book on Biscayne National Park.
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This program Departs from Dinner Key Marina in Coconut Grove at 3400 Pan American Drive, Miami 33133. To ensure a smooth and timely departure, we ask that visitors plan to arrive at the dock location 30 minutes before the scheduled trip.
Please be aware that traffic conditions closer to Downtown Miami can vary, giving yourself ample time for travel is advised to avoid any delays. To account for potential traffic delays, the recommendation is to give yourself at least 1 hour of buffer time, especially during peak traffic hours. This precautionary measure ensures that visitors have extra time to navigate through any unexpected traffic situations, allowing you to arrive at Dinner Key Marina in Coconut Grove with ease.
Check out our Transportation Page to learn more about transportation options for this location.
The boat is docked at Pier 9 between Miami Watersports and the sign for Pier 7. Look for the Biscayne National Park Institute signage. See confirmation email for more detailed directions. Upon arrival, check in with your Captain/Naturalist.
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Please note: You will have to pay for parking at this location.
We recommend parking in the Regatta Harbour Parking Garage located at 3351 Pan American Dr, Miami, FL 33133.
There’s also a paid parking lot between Pan American Dr. and Regatta Park. This lot is limited to 4-hours.
Important Note: Visitors are advised that on certain days and time of day, parking availability at our departure location in Coconut Grove may be limited. To ensure a hassle-free experience, we recommend to opt for ride-share options such as Uber or Lyft. This will help mitigate potential challenges associated with limited close by parking availability.
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- Mirrorless or DSLR camera
- Long lens for wildlife (within the 100-500mm range or higher)
- Wider angle lens for landscapes (24-105mm or similar)
- Backpack or other camera bag designed for comfortable transport while walking
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This program is open to adults and youth ages 12 and up with some prior photography experience.
All minors must be accompanied by a participating adult.
To help us make your trip safe and enjoyable, please include a note in your reservation or notify your naturalist privately if any of the following apply to you:
- Recent surgeries
- Back injuries
- Medical conditions or allergies
- Pregnancy
- Any other health or safety concerns we should be aware of
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We recommend that you bring along the following:
- Water Bottle
- Snacks
- Reef safe sunscreen
- Light jacket
On windy days, water might splash in to the boat. We recommend storing any valuables in a waterproof bag.
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The boat will be a Corithian that’s 45 ft long. This boat does have a small bathroom. During this trip, the boat stays in the bay most of time, this will lessen the chance of motion sickness.
While cruising in the bay, especially on a windy day, there’s a chance that water will splash into the boat; we highly suggest storing anything that you don’t wish to get wet in a drybag.
We can provide a wheelchair ramp, however we must be notified at least 24 hours before the trip. Please call our call center to help you with this accommodation.
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Online waivers will be sent with the booking confirmation. No printing necessary. You can even complete the waivers on your phone! Adults over the age of 18 must complete and submit their own waiver. Minors ages 17 and younger must have a parent or legal guardian complete and submit a waiver on behalf of the minor. For snorkeling activities there are separate waivers for adults and minors, please be sure you are completing the appropriate waiver. All minors must be accompanied by an adult. To complete the waiver process, you will need to confirm your email address through and email that will be sent by Smartwaiver.
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Are there bathrooms on site?
There are no public bathrooms at Dinner Key Marina. We provide a porta-potty at the marina, and there is a bathroom on the boat. We recommend arriving dressed and ready for your activity, as changing facilities are not available.
Is there a place on the boat to store my belongings?
You may keep personal items on the boat during your excursion; however, please note there is a chance they may get wet. We recommend bringing a dry bag and encourage guests to leave valuables secured in their vehicles when possible.
Is this a glass-bottom boat?
No, this is not a glass-bottom boat. However, in shallow areas, you’ll be able to see seagrass and marine life through the clear water from the sides of the vessel. Please note that this trip does not go out to the ocean side, and you will not see coral reef formations.
Is this tour wheelchair accessible?
No. While the boat itself is wheelchair accessible, the dock at this location cannot accommodate a ramp for boarding. Please contact us at (786) 481-0453 or [email protected], and we’ll be happy to answer your questions and recommend wheelchair accessible programs.
Is there a Visitor Center at this location?
No. The only Visitor Center and bookstore for Biscayne National Park is the Dante Fascell Visitor Center in Homestead, open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Click here to visit their website.