Boca Chita Key (Biscayne National Park) in Florida

Trip Overview

On day 2 of a 4 day camping trip at Elliott Key (in Biscayne National Park), we paddled to Boca Chita Key, 4 miles to the north. There is a lighthouse and other structures made of stone, leftover from the 1930s when the site was used for parties for the Honeywell family. We stayed 2 hours, picnicking, napping, and exploring. The channel on the north side of the island is deep blue and full of fish and birds. From Boca Chita, we paddled outside (in the Atlantic ) for 2 miles. It was a little rough, not bad. There is a cut at the south end of Boca Chita which leads back to Biscayne Bay and we rode the tide though the cut, then paddled inside back to Elliott Key.

This is all open water paddling

Accommodations:

Boca Chita Key has salt water toilets, picnic tables, campsites, a kayak launch, and a boat dock. No drinking water, no electricity

Outfitting:

sea kayaks and a sit-on-top Kayak

Fees:

campsite fee $15 per night

Directions:

From the Florida Turnpike: Take the Florida Turnpike south, to Exit 6 (Speedway Blvd.). Turn left from exit ramp and continue south to S.W. 328th Street (North Canal Drive). Turn left and continue to the end of the road. It is approximately five miles, and the entrance is on the left. We found Boca Chita Key by paddling from Elliott Key north

Resources:

see the NPS website for more information

www.nps.gov/bisc/index.htm