Biscayne Bay, Miami

Miami's Marine Estuary & Coastal Sanctuaries

Biscayne Bay is a vast marine estuary covering 428 square miles of subtropical waters. The bay is a shallow basin bounded by the urban core of Miami on the west and by protective barrier islands on the east. Miami is bordered by a series of barrier islands that shield the bay from the open Atlantic Ocean. The waters are remarkably shallow, averaging only 6 to 10 feet in depth. This sensitive coastal environment contains three primary public park gateways: Biscayne National Park, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, and Crandon Park.

Accessing the bay is simple, but navigating the different park jurisdictions requires planning. General land access to the national park is free. The adjacent state and county parks on Key Biscayne require entrance and parking fees. The national park itself is almost entirely water, covering offshore islands, seagrass meadows, and coral reefs. Visitors need boats or guided cruises to experience the true wilderness of the bay.

The historic waters house Stiltsville, a cluster of wooden stilt houses built in the shallow mudflats during the early twentieth century. Stiltsville has stood through major hurricanes, and is managed as a historical resource. Further south, sandbars and keys form natural marine habitats for sea turtles, stingrays, and manatees. The bay is a protected ecosystem, and strict boating and fishing regulations keep the waters healthy.

Visual Postcards from the Estuary

Images capturing the diverse environments of the bay, from sandy beaches to historic lighthouses and mangrove wetlands.

Photo by joiseyshowaa / Flickr / CC BY-SA

Photo by joiseyshowaa / Flickr / CC BY-SA

Photo by Sarah O'Shea / Pexels

Current Weather Conditions

Live climate stats for Biscayne Bay. Summer months bring warm waters and brief afternoon showers, while winter offers crisp, sunny skies.