Discovering Key Biscayne: Beaches, Cycling, a Lighthouse and more
Reading Time: 7 minutes If you’re in Miami, you NEED to add Key Biscayne to the bucket list. Scenic cycling trails, a climbable 19th century lighthouse, beautiful beaches, and enough memories to last a lifetime. Simply, the tropical island is a traveler’s dream. What else could you ask for?
Where is Key Biscayne?
I know what you’re thinking: “Key Biscayne is all the way down in the Florida Keys! That’s so far! I’m not driving all the way down there!”.
Don’t worry! It’s actually not in the Florida Keys!
Key Biscayne is just south of downtown Miami! A short trip across the Rickenbacker Causeway, and poof! You’ve arrived! Let the adventures begin!
Discovering Key Biscayne: what to do while visiting
Exploring everything Key Biscayne has to offer is a full day that’s better spread over a few days. Escape to nature just steps away from Miami.
Beach Day on Key Biscayne!
Have an eco-friendly beach day next to the crystal blue water, sugar white sand, and lush tropical forest. Key Biscayne has world renowned beaches all offering something unique! Be on the look out for sea turtles!
Hobie Island Beach Park
This is the first beach you see on your right as you drive onto the chain of islands. It’s a small stretch of sand with scattered palm trees and vegetation. An excellent place to find some shade or strap up your hammock!
Also, this is a designated dog beach! So bring your furry friend on an eco-friendly dog leash!
Virginia Key Beach Park
This historic area tends to be a bit more quiet but has lots to do! Hiking trails, beautiful beaches, mangrove forests, and an outdoor center for paddling rentals.
Crandon Park
Crandon Park stretches along the first few miles of Key Biscayne. It’s a massive beachfront park with lots of amenities. Overall, it’s a great place to spend the afternoon!
Also, this is a great area to get involved with a beach clean up! Sometimes, the Gulf Stream (major ocean current) drops off the trash it has floating with it here. Unfortunately, it’s a rude awakening to the plastic crisis our oceans are facing. Good news: you can help reverse that trend!
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
Our favorite beach in Miami! Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is a treasure. It rarely gets overcrowded, the beach is absolutely gorgeous, you can grill, grab a snack at the cafe, or go for a hike. Not to mention, you can even climb the lighthouse! (more on that later).
Paddle, sail, or windsurf!
The surrounding water is ideal for recreation as the bay is surrounded by thick, mangrove filled islands. This blocks the wind and waves and makes for perfect sporting conditions!
Bring your own equipment or rent from these outfitters:
Miami Watersports on Hobie Island provides wind-related rentals: small sailboats and windsurfing.
Virginia Key Outdoor Center provides kayak and SUP rentals so you can explore the historic island yourself!
Cycling Key Biscayne!
Key Biscayne is a cycler’s dream: designated lanes, scenic views, customizable distance, and a large uphill bridge. The best part, cycling around can be tailored to YOUR skill level.
We start at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park (access to bathroom facilities, water, etc.), ride north across the Rickenbacker Causeway bridge, and ride back to the state park. This “loop” is between 14 and 20 miles, depending on how far past the bridge you ride.
Enjoy the ride! Don’t forget to take in the scenic views of the bay and downtown Miami!
Enjoy the view from the Rickenbacker Causeway
Whether you cycle or walk, the causeway is a great place to get some good exercise and a scenic view. You’ll be huffing and puffing your way up but we promise it’s worth it!
Spend your day at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
This State Park is #1 in our hearts and minds. Quite possibly our favorite in all of Florida, actually. It has it all: beautiful beaches, mangrove forests, hiking trails, fishing, two restaurants, picnic tables and grills, a boat launch, plenty of history, and a 19th century lighthouse!
We’ll spend our entire Sunday here finding new things to see and do each time.
Fun Fact: We had our first unofficially official date here! Be sure to ask Laura how it went in the comments below!
Climb the Lighthouse!
Built in 1825, this place takes my breath away every time. If this is the only thing you do on Key Biscayne, the trip is worth it. Take in a 360 aerial view of downtown Miami, sprawling beaches, the Atlantic Ocean, Stiltsville (houses off in the distance in the water), and Biscayne Bay.
NOTE: the hours to climb the lighthouse vary. So check with the ranger station to make sure you don’t get closed out!
Hit up happy hour at the Rusty Pelican
The day is winding down and that sun burn is starting to set in. Best cool it off watching the sunset over a cold drink.
The Rusty Pelican is the place to be. It’s a pricey joint…unless you show up during happy hour that is! Monday through Friday, from 5 – 7 (at the time of this writing) you can enjoy discounted drinks and appetizers as you watch the sun set over downtown Miami.
A perfect ending to a perfect day.
Other Locations on Key Biscayne
You may have noticed a few other distinctive structures during your visit, what were they?
- Miami Seaquarium: a large visitor attraction specializing in marine mammal shows. *We chose not to highlight this establishment as they are not known to treat their animals ethically* It’s long been known the intelligence and consciousness of marine mammals and yet they are still made to perform for our entertainment. But that’s a topic for another day. We encourage you to do the research yourself to see!
- Miami Marine Stadium: Oh that weird bleacher looking thing? Yea, that thing. Pretty cool, actually. It was originally built in 1963 for speed boat racing! Today, it’s rarely used and as far as we know, only used for the Miami International Boat Show.
- University of Miami Oceans and Human Health Center: the epicenter for marine science education in Miami! In fact, this is the facility that employs our favorite marine scientist, Laura!
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): the mothership of marine science in the United States. This building on Virginia Key is a satellite branch of the federal organization.
Traveling to Miami and Key Biscayne?
Use these resources to ease the pain of travel planning!
Travel Planning Resources for Miami
Book Your Flight: Book cheap flights on Skyscanner, one of the best tools to find good deals. Flights can be booked to Miami (MIA) or Fort Lauderdale (FLL).
Rent a Car: Discover Cars compares prices all over the globe – finding you the best deal on a car rental.
Book a Place to Stay: Booking.com is a great resource to compare hotels and guesthouses.
To find a budget hostel, our favorite site is Hostelworld. Their reviews are strikingly accurate!
Or book a local apartment on AirBnB (get up to $55 off your first adventure when you go through this link!)
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Read More About Traveling in South Florida
We hope you enjoyed our post on Key Biscayne. Hopefully you’ll find it useful on your next adventure! Here are a few more ocean-loving articles we think you should read next:
Have you been to the lighthouse before? What other activities can you do on Key Biscayne? What did we miss? Leave a comment below!
