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Paddling
Explore the park's mangrove shorelines and beyond in a canoe or kayak, or on a stand-up paddleboard.
Guide Sections
Use Paddling's guide sections to understand how this stop fits into the larger park plan.
Paddling Details
Difficulty
Open
Distance
N/A
Estimated time
N/A
Region
Activities
The shallow waters found in Biscayne National Park are easily navigated by canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard, and give paddlers the chance to get into spots larger boats cannot. There are plenty of lagoons and creeks to explore, like Jones Lagoon, where sharks, rays, upside-down jellyfish, schools of fish, and wading birds can be seen. A bird rookery is also in the lagoon, but paddlers must stay at least 300 feet away to avoid disturbing the birds. You can launch your canoe or kayak from the Dante Fascell Vistor Center or go via boat to one of the many keys and paddle around the islands. Alternatively, there are four nearby marinas that provide boat access: Black Point Park and Marina, Crandon Park Marina, Herbert Hoover Marina at Homestead Bayfront Park, and Matheson Hammock Park Marina. All four marinas are outside the Biscayne National Park. More experienced paddlers can cross the seven-mile-wide Biscayne Bay to Elliott Key or Boca Chita Key. Paddling trail maps are available on the park's [website](https://www.nps.gov/bisc/planyourvisit/canoeing-and-kayaking.htm).
