Biscayne National Park
Biscayne National Park is located in southern Florida, due east
of Homestead. The park preserves Biscayne Bay, one of the top
scuba diving areas in the United States. Ninety-five percent of
the park is water. In addition, the shore of the bay is the
location of an extensive mangrove forest. The park covers 207
mi². Elliott Key, the park's largest island, is considered the
first of the true Florida Keys being formed from fossilized
coral reef, i.e. Key Largo limestone. The islands farther north
in the park are transitional islands of coral and sand.
Within sight of downtown Miami, yet worlds away, Biscayne
protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald
islands, and fish-bejeweled coral reefs. Here too is evidence of
10,000 years of human history, from pirates and shipwrecks to
pineapple farmers and presidents. Outdoors enthusiasts can boat,
snorkel, camp, watch wildlife…or simply relax in a rocking chair
gazing out over the bay.
