<p>On this accessible, self-guided tour, you can discover a unique national park with four ecosystems, 600 species of fish and other kinds of fauna, including sea turtles and manatees. Biscayne National Park is unlike any other American national park, as the park is 95% water. The park is located within sight of downtown Miami but feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It encompasses areas of mangroves, as well as a coral reef, the Florida Keys and the expanse of Biscayne Bay. Visitors to the park can also discover over 10,000 years of human history, as evidence has been found of Paleo-Indians along the shoreline. The area was also home to a group of people called the Tequesta, who lived in the area for approximately 2000 years, developing complex social structures and devoting time to creating art and following religious practices. As much of Florida’s coastline has been built upon, Biscayne National Park is the best and most well-preserved place to discover the history of the Tequesta people. As the park extends more over sea than land, many visitors come here to boat or to do water sports such as kiteboarding, sailing, kayaking and fishing. On the shore, the park has been adapted for visitors with disabilities and the visitor center is wheelchair-accessible, with captions provided for audiovisual programs. The area around the visitor center has boardwalks so wheelchair users can navigate independently. The park’s islands, reefs, and other natural attractions of the park are only accessible by boat, however if there is a user willing to drive there he or she can drive to Dante Fascell Visitor Center and from there, take the boat to visit the national park. It is possible to rent a boat onsite to explore at your own pace. Visitors to the islands will find accessible restroom facilities; however, not all buildings on the islands are wheelchair-accessible and Elliott Key and Adams Key do not have sidewalks. Boca Chita Key has smooth paved pathways around the harbor and to the restrooms, but the rest of the island is unpaved, with grassy and uneven surfaces.</p>

A close-up of a sea turtle at Biscayne National Park, swimming underwater next to a stretch of coral reef.

The harbor of Boca Chita Key seen from above, with downtown Miami visible in the distance.

The Dante Fascell Visitor Center, set on the waterfront with a boat moored in front.

The Fowey Rocks Lighthouse, out at sea.

A kayaker at Biscayne National Park, seen from a distance with islands in the background.

Available for wheelchair users: Biscayne National Park

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