Frequently Asked Questions

Individual bookings of 5 or fewer guests can be cancelled with a refund or rebooked to another availability or activity up to 48 hours prior to activity. 

Individual bookings of 5 or fewer guests will not receive a refund for cancellations or changes to bookings within 48 hours of their activity. 

Private bookings or bookings of 6 or more guests can be cancelled with a refund or rebooked 14 days prior to trip. 

Private bookings or bookings of 6 or more guests will not receive a refund for cancellations or changes to bookings within 48 hours of their activity. 

If a Biscayne National Park Institute activity must be cancelled due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, you will have the opportunity to rebook for another day or receive a full refund. 

All bookings will be considered a “no show cancellation” if you have not checked into the park store and signed the waiver at least 5 minutes before the activity and a refund will not be issued. 

Please note we do not waive our cancellation policy for unforeseen events such as changes in flights, sudden illness, or unexpected traffic. Trip Insurance may help cover lost costs due to unforeseen events that prevent you from participating in your booked activity. 

Refunds and changes to your bookings cannot take place on the same day as your booked activity. 

Click Here for our cancellation policy.

If you have a question, please contact the call center at (786) 481-0453 between 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. est. You can also contact us through email at [email protected]. 

At Biscayne National Park Institute, we strive to ensure your safety and enjoyment during our programs.

Please read the following regarding weather cancellations:

• No Need to Call Us: We will proactively contact you if there are any weather-related cancellations. In the event of a cancellation, we will promptly inform all guests via email and text message (be sure to opt-in to receive text messages when booking your trip).
• Weather Monitoring: We continuously keep a close watch on the weather, which includes wind speeds and storms. Florida weather can change quickly, and the weather on the water can be very different from the weather on the mainland. Scattered thunderstorms often dissipate quickly or are concentrated in areas that can be avoided. To avoid unnecessary cancellations and allow us to adapt as needed, we often wait within 1 hour of the tour to cancel for typical stormy weather.
• Tropical Storms and Hurricanes: We monitor weather closely during storm events, relying on updates from the National Hurricane Center and our Park Partners to make decisions. During these storm events, we will contact you regarding your trip.

If we cancel a trip due to the weather, you would be able to receive a full refund for your trip. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Your safety and satisfaction are our top priorities.

Excursions may be canceled for several reasons, including weather conditions, unsafe water or trail conditions, or unexpected vehicle or vessel maintenance. Some programs may run while others are canceled, depending on location, activity type, and safety considerations. 

If your excursion is canceled by us, you will have the option to reschedule or receive a full refund. For more details, please refer to the specific trip description, as some programs are more weather-dependent than others. 

Our website is live and up to date with availability. If you do not see the options you would like, it means we do not have them and would suggest looking at a different date, time, or excursion to meet your needs. 

Private trips are available but if the website does not show the option to book them, it means we do not have them available for the date you are looking for. 

We would also suggest looking at our other Institutes to see if there’s an excursion available on the day that you’re interested in. 

There is no waitlist, but cancellations can occur, we would suggest monitoring the website for availability on the live calendar.

Depending on the time of year and season, we suggest booking ahead of time and if plans change you have 48 hours before your excursion to rebook or refund your trip. We can’t guarantee that there’ll be spots available if you try to book as a walk up.

We highly suggest booking big groups, private tours, and tours during our busy holiday month (November-beginning of January) at least two months in advance to assure a reservation on a desired trip date and time.

Yes, you can still make a booking even if you’re unsure of the exact members in your group.
You’ll need to pay in full for the total number of guests you plan to bring. If your plans change, our Cancellation Policy allows for the following:

• Groups of 5 or fewer: You may cancel one or more guests up to 48 hours before the trip for a refund.
• Groups of 6 or more: You may cancel one or more guests up to 2 weeks before the trip for a refund.

You may need assistance if you do not have the names of those that will be in your party. Please call us at (786) 465-4058 between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM. One of our Information Specialists will be happy to help!

Yes, you can make this change at any time.
Just be sure the new group member(s) complete their waiver before the trip. To make the switch, call us at (786) 465-4058 between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM, or email us at [email protected]. We’ll simply need your booking number, the name of the participant who is no longer attending, and the name of the new participant.

One of our Information Specialists will be happy to assist you.

Reservations are highly recommended. Some programs—such as the Snorkel Experience, Heritage Cruise, Kayak the Mangroves, and Jones Lagoon Eco-Adventure Paddle—may accept walk-ins if space is available. If you plan to walk in, please arrive at least 30 minutes before the tour starts. 

Other programs, including the Stiltsville Guided Cruise, Kayak the Seagrasses of Stiltsville, Sail Paddle and Snorkel, Snorkel and Paddle Eco-Adventure, and all-day Excursions, require booking at least 24 hours in advance. While we’ll do our best to accommodate everyone, space is limited and not guaranteed without a reservation. 

Please call our information center at (786) 465-4058 for last-minute bookings. 

Our tour guides, Naturalists, are continuous students of the natural world and provide interpretive, educational, and historical programs in South Florida’s National Parks. Each are trained by the National Park Service to ensure they are equipped with and can provide the most up to date information, research, and opportunities when connecting with guests.

Interpretation is a purposeful form of communication that seeks to translate the world around us. Our Naturalists help interpret the natural environment, history, research, etc. to support guests in broadening their perspectives, deepening their understanding, and inspiring them to cultivate meaningful connections with South Florida’s National Parks.

The Biscayne National Park Institute operates tours from three different locations. Please check your confirmation email carefully to ensure you are going to the correct departure site.

1. Dante Fascell Visitor Center (Inside Biscayne National Park)
   9700 SW 328th St, Homestead, FL 33033

   • Note: This is the only location inside the National Park with a visitor center and park store.

2. Dinner Key Marina (Coconut Grove)
   3400 Pan American Dr, Miami, FL 33133

   • Meet at Pier 9, between Miami Watersports and the sign for Pier 7. Look for Biscayne National Park Institute signage.

3. Deering Estate (Palmetto Bay)
   16701 SW 72nd Ave, Miami, FL 33157

   • Plan on checking-in at Deering Estate main entrance 30 minutes before your departure time.

Your confirmation email will include the exact departure location, check-in time, and directions.
Please read it carefully and arrive at the correct spot at least 30 minutes before your tour.

If you are unsure or did not receive your confirmation, contact us at info@bnpi.site or call us at (786) 465-4058.

Yes, parking is available at all departure locations, but availability and cost may vary:

Dante Fascell Visitor Center (Homestead)
Free parking is available onsite for all visitors.

Dinner Key Marina (Coconut Grove)
Paid public parking is available nearby.
We recommend parking in the Regatta Harbour Parking Garage at:
3351 Pan American Dr, Miami, FL 33133

There is also a 4-hour public parking lot between Pan American Dr. and Regatta Park, but space is limited.

Deering Estate (Palmetto Bay)
Free road side parking is available in front of the entrance gate of Deering Estate.

Yes, but your options will vary depending on the location—and some places are more accessible than others.

Dante Fascell Visitor Center (Homestead)

• Rideshare: Uber and Lyft may drop off here, but pickup can be unreliable, especially in the afternoon. We highly recommend arranging your return ride in advance.

• Public Transportation: There is no direct public transit to the visitor center. You may need to take a rideshare from the closest bus stop or station.

Due to the lack of cell service and far distance from populated areas we HIGHLY DO NOT RECOMMEND using rideshare options or public transportation. Using your own vehicle will be the easiest way to get to this location.

Dinner Key Marina (Coconut Grove)

• Rideshare: Uber and Lyft are widely available and are a convenient option for this location.

• Public Transportation: Accessible via Metrorail (Coconut Grove Station) and Metrobus. From the station, it’s about a 10–15 minute walk or a short rideshare to the marina.

Deering Estate (Palmetto Bay)

• Rideshare: Uber and Lyft are available from this location.

• Public Transportation: Some Metrobus routes stop nearby, but check schedules in advance. A short walk or rideshare from the bus stop may still be required.

Each trip is different so when you are looking to book, the page for each tour will state what type of boat is being used on the trip.

Total occupancy will also be listed on each booking page.

Our number of passengers per boat is determined in accordance to Coast Guard regulations and the optimization of space of the vessel to ensure the comfort and safety of all our guests.

We cannot exceed the pre-determined boat capacity.

If you are a private organization or school group with a larger group size, please visit our Group Programs page or contact us at (786) 465-4058 for more information.

Yes, babies and children are accounted for as passengers. Under Coast Guard regulations, we cannot exceed the capacity of a vessel, even if the extra passenger is a baby or child.

Yes, you can bring personal items on the boat, but please note that space is limited and items may get wet during the trip. We strongly recommend using a dry bag and only bringing essentials.

Large luggage is not allowed on the boats. If you’re traveling with suitcases or large bags, please leave them in your vehicle or at a nearby luggage storage facility, as we cannot accommodate them onboard and we cannot store them in our location.

For safety and comfort, keep valuables to a minimum and store non-essentials securely in your car.

Boat time varies depending on the tour. For trips such as Snorkel Experience, Jones Lagoon Eco-Adventure Paddle, Sail Paddle and Snorkel, Snorkel and Paddle, and Snorkel and Island Visit you can expect to spend 30 to 45 minutes each way on the boat. 

For tours such as the Heritage Cruise, Stiltsville Guided tour and Deering Estate Lighthouse Cruise, you’ll spend most or all the program aboard the vessel. 

Some programs are entirely boat-based, while others include time on shore or in the water. Please check your specific trip description for more detailed information. 

Most boats do not have restrooms. The last restroom is usually at Dinner Key Marina or Dante Fascell Visitor Center, depending on the tour. Some islands (like Boca Chita Key) have basic restrooms, but facilities are limited—please plan ahead. 

On specific tours, there is a bathroom on the vessel. Such tours are listed below: 

• Stiltsville Guided Tour from Coconut Grove 

• Sail, Paddle and Snorkel 

• Deering Estate Lighthouse Cruise 

We recommend bringing the following items for all Biscayne National Park Institute programs:

• Refillable water bottle – our boats have drinking water available for refills

• Sun protection – hat, sunglasses, and reef-safe sunscreen

• Dry bag or waterproof case – for valuables like your phone or wallet

• Snacks – please avoid single-use plastics and food that requires heating

• Lunch – required for full-day excursions

If your activity involves being in the water (like snorkeling or paddling), also bring:

• Swimsuit

• Towel – we do not provide towels

Being prepared ensures a more comfortable and enjoyable experience on the water!

Lunch is not provided on any of our tours, our Park Store in the Dante Fascell Visitor Center sell snacks and drinks for your convenience, but it isn’t suitable for a lunch substitute. You are more than welcome to bring a small carry-on cooler to keep your own food safe, but we also have a cooler on the boat.

• For our Homestead excursions, there is a nearby Publix, CVS Pharmacy, and Walmart for you to be able to buy food and drinks before arriving to our park, it is about 15 minutes from the Dante Fascell Visitor Center.
• For our Coconut Grove excursions, there is a Fresh Market about 2 minutes away by car and about a 7–10-minute walk from Dinner Key Marina.
• For our Deering Estate excursions, there is a Starbucks about 2 minutes away by car and about 5 minutes walking distance from Deering Estate entrance. The Starbucks is in the plaza next to the Deering Estate Visitor Center (not the main entrance).

Yes, all necessary gear is provided for our paddling programs. Depending on the tour, you may use:

A hard plastic kayak, an inflatable kayak, or a stand-up paddleboard (SUP)

Personal flotation devices (PFDs) are included with every paddling tour and are required to be worn while on the water.

If you have specific gear preferences, please check your tour description or contact us in advance to confirm what’s provided

We provide snorkel vests (required for all participants) and flotation aids such as pool noodles upon request.

Snorkel equipment (mask, fins, and snorkel) is available for rent during booking or at check-in (subject to availability). Please know that fins are required for our snorkeling tours:

• Snorkel Bundle (mask, fins, snorkel): $16

• Mask: $5

• Fins: $6

• Snorkel: $5

• Shorty wetsuit: $10

You’re also welcome to bring your own gear, but it must be approved by the guide for safety.

Our store at the Dante Fascell Visitor Center offers a variety of items, including:

• Biscayne National Park souvenirs and apparel

• Books and field guides

• Snacks and drinks

• Dry bags, bug spray, and reef-safe sunscreen

• Motion sickness remedies and other helpful essentials

This is the only physical store within Biscayne National Park. There is no Park Store or Kiosk at Dinner Key Marina or Deering Estate, but you can also shop online through our online store for select merchandise.

We can’t guarantee how much wildlife you’ll see, but some things that you might encounter are:

• Marine life: hundreds of species of fish, coral reefs, sea sponges, baby sharks, turtles, jelly fish, manatees, and dolphins
• Birds: Ospreys, Herons, Pelicans, and more

ADA Service animals (any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability) are allowed on the Heritage of Biscayne excursion. This does not include Emotional Support Animals.

If you bring your pet to Biscayne National Park, please protect them, others, wildlife, and park resources by abiding by these regulations.

• Pets are allowed on the grounds at Convoy Point, they must be always kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet and under control.
• Do not leave pet unattended while tied to picnic tables, trees, or other stationary objects.
• Do not leave pets inside vehicles. Even if the window is cracked open, temperatures inside can rise quickly even on cooler days.
• Pet excrement must be immediately collected and disposed of in the nearest trash can.
• They are not allowed inside the Dante Fascell Visitor Center.

The captain makes the decision on snorkeling locations the day of the trip. Snorkel locations are dependent on weather conditions and captains’ choice for a better snorkeling experience. Based on weather, including rain, currents, and wind; the snorkel trip could go to either reefs, mangroves, or shipwreck locations. On days with bad weather, an island visit could replace a snorkel location.

Yes, you may still sit on the boat while your family snorkels, but you would still have to pay the full price of a ticket even if you aren’t doing the activity.

Our institutes want everyone to be safe and comfortable on our trips, so we set age limits to control fatigue and ability to do the activity. 

• Jones Lagoon Eco-Adventura Paddle, Snorkel and Paddle Eco-Adventure and Kayak the Seagrasses of Stiltsville is 12 and older because the paddle length is at least a mile, and a half and guest must keep up with each other on this tour for everyone to go smoothly. Private bookings can have ages of 8 and older and the child must use a double kayak with an adult, except for Kayak the Seagrasses of Stiltsville for which we don’t offer a private trip. 

• Snorkel Experience, Snorkel and Island Visit from Coconut Grove, and Sail, Paddle and Snorkel age is 8 and older for safety reasons because of the size of group going out, we request for children younger than 8 to be in private trips so the captain and staff can focus on the child and your family in an intimate way. 

• Paddle the Mangroves is 6 and older, with children who are 6-11 years old being with an adult in a double kayak. 

• Our Heritage Cruise, Deering Estate Lighthouses Boat Cruise, Stiltsville Guided Tour and Evening Bay Cruise are for all ages, if minors are accompanied by an adult.