Just a short drive from Miami, this tiny island paradise has unmissable sun-drenched beaches and not one but two major parks.
Key Biscayne might be only 11 kilometres long, but it packs an awful lot of attractions in one tiny salt water cove. The Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park attracts visitors thanks to its historic Cape Florida lighthouse, mangrove board walk and wildlife refuge, while nearby Crandon Park has a variety of nature trails and golf courses to enjoy.
While now the island is prized for its peace and tranquillity, Key Biscayne's past is filled with drama, with pirates and explorers calling the island home. One hundred years ago, the island was the largest coconut plantation in North America with 36,000 trees before becoming the in-demand resort for the well-heeled that it remains to this day.
Despite its popularity, the island retains much of its unspoilt nature thanks to its two major parks. The most popular is the Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, the perfect place to recharge after a few days in Miami. You can be as active or not as you like – choose from climbing the Cape Florida Lighthouse, the oldest standing structure in the county, or walking along the mangrove board walk and renting a bike or kayak. Or if that's all too much, unwind on the beach, rent a beach chair and enjoy the views.
At Crandon Park, the beach is the main attraction, thanks to its family-friendly facilities from public grills to cabanas for rent, but there's more to the park than the beach with dunes and mangroves to explore. At the Crandon Park Nature Centre, tours will show you the animals that call the region home.
Key Biscayne is about 18 kilometres from downtown Miami and is connected to the mainland via the Rickenbacker Causeway. You can also reach the island via public transport on the Metrobus.
