On the bay-side of the island, I’m wild about the sandbar that gets its name from the president, whose now demolished compound was located close by on Bay Lane.įrom above the sandbar shows up as a lighter patch of clear, shallow water at the entrance to Hurricane Harbor. One famous winter visitor to Key Biscayne was the 37th president of the United States, Richard Nixon (1913-1994). If you’re up for lighter you can also join a snorkeling expedition to discover the natural wonders of the reef, or a mangrove island. Meanwhile, with dozens of wrecks and the world’s barrier reef system, this can be your gateway to a world of unforgettable diving experiences. The center offers classes for keen divers working towards certifications. If you’re here just to relax, there’s a narrow sweep of white sand, edged by palms and mangroves.Īs there’s a bay-like feel to this spot, my common sense advice is bring mosquito repellent.īased at the Crandon Park Marina is a dive center with a reputation that goes well beyond Miami’s borders.ĭiver’s Paradise has a pair of Newton dive boats that are used by visiting film crews as well as the University of Miami when conducting vital research. Less of an ocean beach, this stretch of shore is ideal for activities like paddleboarding, windsurfing, kiteboarding, and kayaking. The park fell into decline later in the century, until a multimillion-dollar project helped restore the idyllic shoreline. Later, another protest helped put an end to segregation on Miami-Dade Beaches. Following a protest at the ‘whites only’ Haulover Beach in the 1940s, this park was set aside for the Black community. This spot has an intriguing past, founded in segregation. Despite being minutes from a bustling urban center, the beach at Virginia Key can feel secluded. Historic Virginia Key Beach Parkīetween Key Biscayne and downtown Miami is another barrier island at Virginia Key. These include a variety of mangrove and saltwater aquariums, as well as a touch tank containing tidepool species. Meanwhile, I was astonished by the indoor exhibits. This can be done on self-guided visits, or on a naturalist-led program. For kids the center is an excellent place to learn about the Miami area’s ecosystems. Though it’s possible to see the Miami skyline from the center, in many ways, it’s worlds away. This is the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Bay Nature Center, named for an environmentalist who dedicated much of her life to preserving south Florida’s wild areas. The north end of Crandon Park is a natural haven, with more than 160 acres of mangroves, dunes, uplands, and fossilized rock reef. Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Bay Nature Center Source: Biscayne Nature Center / Facebook Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Bay Nature Center Here you can scan the water for manatees, and bask in sunsets that need to be seen to be believed.ĥ. Some of the paths lead to the western, bay side of the cape. The best way to navigate the park, and its tangle of paved trails is by bike, with rentals available from the concession. In addition to its awe-inspiring shoreline and amazing ocean vistas, the state park is home to the iconic lighthouse, which I’ll describe later in this list. On the eastern, ocean side, the beach at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is one of a couple on Key Biscayne to be rated among the best in the country. If you’re looking for a natural-style beach without leaving Miami, this is the place to come. This spellbinding landscape encompasses Cape Florida on the south end of Key Biscayne. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park Source: Felix Mizioznikov / shutterstock Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park Crandon Beach is shielded by a sandbar, while a profusion of reefs is ready to be explored on diving trips. When you’re here everything feels gentler than that. The first place to be evacuated in hurricanes, Key Biscayne may appear to be at the mercy of the ocean. In the north is Crandon Park, rolling together a sublime beach, natural habitats and a month’s worth of recreation possibilities. To the south is Cape Florida, commanded by a lighthouse that has stood here for 200 years. Bookended by a state park and sprawling county park, Key Biscayne feels a lot more secluded than it really is. Visiting this upscale island paradise, I had to remind myself that I was 15 minutes from downtown Miami.
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