Boca Chita Key Walk – Biscayne

Distance: 1.0 miles Elevation Gain: 0 ft Difficulty: Easy Type: Loop Surface: dirt and coral gravel Activity: Hiking Best Season: Year-round Typical Time: 30–45 min Fee: Free (boat access) Dogs: No Permit: No

Boca Chita Key is the most visited island in Biscayne National Park, reached by private boat or the park ferry from Convoy Point. The short loop trail circles the island, passing the historic ornamental lighthouse built in 1937 by industrialist Mark Honeywell as a private retreat, and offering views of Miami's skyline to the north and the open Atlantic to the east. The lighthouse is not functional but its 65-foot tower can be climbed for panoramic bay views.

The island is lined with Australian pine trees and buttonwood mangroves, and the calm waters inside the harbor are ideal for snorkeling directly off the seawall. The coral rubble shoreline harbors interesting intertidal life, and osprey nest on the light tower structure. Boca Chita has a small campground, restrooms, picnic tables, and a mooring field — making it a popular overnight stop for boaters. The walk itself is brief, but the setting is extraordinary: the sensation of being on a tiny island with Miami's skyline visible on one side and open ocean on the other captures the unique character of Biscayne as an urban wilderness. The best time to visit is weekday mornings when the harbor is quiet.