Quick Details
Departure Location: Dinner Key Marina in Coconut Grove
Duration: 3.5 hours 4.5 hours now includes more time with no extra cost
Start Time: 1:15 PM
Available Days: Daily
Age Limit: All ages are welcome! Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Summertime special: During the Summer this trip will be extended with no extra cost to include an introductory snorkel and dip in the calm waters of Biscayne Bay.
You will be snorkeling over seagrass or sand and will not likely see much in the way of wildlife. Book one of our other snorkel trips if you wish to snorkel at the reef or mangroves.
Important Information:
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- Please be aware this trip does NOT depart from the Dante Fascell Visitor in Homestead, FL.
- Please allow yourself some extra time to arrive at this location as traffic around the city may delay your arrival time to our dock location.
- Before completing your booking, make sure to read our Cancellation Policy.
- Please read all the information below including the drop-down menus to learn more about this trip.
The Boca Chita Lighthouse is undergoing construction until further notice. During this period, scaffolding may encircle the structure, and public access to the lighthouse will be restricted. Please check Biscayne National Park’s website for updates. We appreciate your understanding.
Departing from Coconut Grove, visit Boca Chita Key and learn about the park!
Staying in Miami? This is our northernmost departure location making it a convenient way to visit Biscayne National Park, the largest marine park in the National Park Service.
Each guided cruise lasts approximately three and a half hours and includes opportunities to explore and learn about popular and scenic Boca Chita Key and the northernmost part of Biscayne National Park. On the way to Boca Chita, you’ll pass the historic Stiltsville houses that appear to be floating on the Bay and Soldier Key, the first key of the Florida Keys chain. During the 1-hour stop on the Boca Chita, you will be able to see the lighthouse up close, explore the island, and hike the short trail. Naturalists will tell you about the history of the park and the surrounding areas.
Summer Modifications:
For May-October we are extending the trip to 4.5 hours and include an introductory snorkel to this trip at no extra cost. Masks and snorkels are included, no additional gear rental is necessary. This is the perfect opportunity to become comfortable using a mask and snorkel with the assistance of a certified snorkel instructor in the calm clear waters of Biscayne Bay.
Have you ever wanted to try snorkeling? Is this your child’s first time snorkeling? Even if you are an experienced snorkeler, this is a great way to beat the Florida heat with a relaxing dip into the Bay.
Snorkeling locations will be in calm clear areas of Biscayne Bay with little current. However, this is not a swimming pool, to better replicate a typical snorkeling experience, you will be in open water usually 5-8 feet deep, and you will most likely not be able to touch the bottom. Flotation devices and a floating mat will be provided for your comfort.
Snorkeling vests will be provided and are required to be worn by all participants. Personal Flotation Devices (PFD) will be available for all participants to wear in the water. All participants under age 8 are required to wear a PFD that we provide while in the water. There must be one(1) adult per child under age eight (8) in the water with the child. Children under the age of 18 cannot be left unaccompanied on the boat.
You will be snorkeling over seagrass or sand and will not likely see much in the way of wildlife. This family-friendly in-water activity is designed for you to experience floating using a mask and snorkeling in calm clear conditions. Please book one of our other snorkel trips if you wish to snorkel at the reef or mangroves.
Expect to be anchored and in the water for 45 minutes to an hour, participants are also welcome to remain on the boat in the shade if they prefer.
There are no changing rooms available at the marina or on the boat. Please come already dressed in your swimming suits.
Island Amenities:
There is a picnic pavilion on the island along with bathrooms. We have drinking water available, please bring a refillable container to minimize trash. Our boats have shade, but there are also additional areas where you can relax in the sun. There are no guest sales on the island, please bring everything you will need to enjoy your visit with you.
The Boca Chita Lighthouse will undergo construction until further notice. During this period, scaffolding will encircle the structure, and public access to the lighthouse will be temporarily restricted. Please check Biscayne National Park’s website for updates. We appreciate your understanding.
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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 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.
- We recommend parking in the Regatta Harbour Parking Garage located at 3351 Pan American Dr, Miami, FL 33133.
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This Biscayne cruise is great for all ages. We do ask to keep an eye on younger passengers in your group to ensure everyone’s safety.
Guests must be 42″ tall to go into Boca Chita Lighthouse.
Please keep in mind, there’s a large step up movement that guests must take in order to get onto the boat. This dock location cannot support an ADA ramp.
All minors must be accompanied by an adult.
This program has movements that could cause problems for pregnant women, those with recent surgeries or back injuries, and can cause motion/sea sickness. To best accommodate you and make your trip safe and enjoyable, please make a note in your reservation or privately notify our captain or mate if:
- You have any recent surgeries
- You have any back injuries
- You have any medical conditions
- You are prone to motion/sea sickness
- You are pregnant
- You have any other concerns regarding your safety and health
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We recommend that you bring along the following:
- Water Bottle
- Snacks
- Reef safe sunscreen
- Towel, picnic blanket, hat, sunglasses
- Bug repellent
You can also bring a small cooler and a bag with you on the boat. On windy days Please do not bring anything that you don’t wish to get wet. We recommend storing any valuables in a waterproof bag.
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What equipment is provided during the program?
- There are emergency life jackets on the boat.
Boat Information
- The boat will be a Corithian that’s 40 ft long. It could hold a max of 30 passengers. During the trip, the boat stays in the bay the whole 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.
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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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Is there a place on the boat to hold my stuff?
- You can keep items on the boat during your excursion but there is a possibility of them getting wet during the trip, we ask that you use a dry bag and keep personal belongs hidden inside of your vehicles.
Is this a glass bottom boat?
- This is not a glass bottom boat, but in shallow areas the seagrass will be visible from the side of the boat. This trip will not go out to the ocean side, coral reef barriers will not be seen.