Biscayne National Park is a National Park in Florida. This guide combines the park's official information with computed sunrise, sunset and Milky Way times, satellite climate data and 9 photo locations inside or next to the park.
Best photo spots in Biscayne
We matched 9 named overlooks, waterfalls, peaks and other features to Biscayne. Each has its own page with sun directions and a monthly golden hour table.
Lighthouses (4)
Lighthouse
Lighthouse
Lighthouse
LighthouseBotanical Gardens (4)
Botanical Garden
Botanical Garden
Botanical Garden
Botanical GardenState Parks (1)
Sunrise, sunset & golden hour
At Biscayne the sunrise point swings a long way through the year: about 64° (ENE) at the June solstice and 116° (ESE) in late December. Sunset moves from 297° (WNW) in June to 244° (WSW) in December, and the midday sun climbs to 88° in summer but only 41° in winter.
| Month (15th) | Sunrise | Golden hour ends | Golden hour starts | Sunset | Sunset az. | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:09 AM | 7:43 AM | 5:19 PM | 5:52 PM | 247° | 10h 43m |
| February | 6:57 AM | 7:28 AM | 5:44 PM | 6:15 PM | 257° | 11h 18m |
| March | 7:31 AM | 8:01 AM | 7:00 PM | 7:30 PM | 268° | 11h 59m |
| April | 6:59 AM | 7:30 AM | 7:13 PM | 7:44 PM | 281° | 12h 45m |
| May | 6:37 AM | 7:09 AM | 7:27 PM | 8:00 PM | 292° | 13h 23m |
| June | 6:31 AM | 7:04 AM | 7:40 PM | 8:14 PM | 297° | 13h 43m |
| July | 6:40 AM | 7:13 AM | 7:42 PM | 8:15 PM | 294° | 13h 35m |
| August | 6:55 AM | 7:26 AM | 7:26 PM | 7:57 PM | 286° | 13h 02m |
| September | 7:08 AM | 7:38 AM | 6:56 PM | 7:26 PM | 274° | 12h 19m |
| October | 7:20 AM | 7:51 AM | 6:24 PM | 6:55 PM | 261° | 11h 35m |
| November | 6:39 AM | 7:12 AM | 5:01 PM | 5:34 PM | 250° | 10h 54m |
| December | 7:00 AM | 7:34 AM | 5:00 PM | 5:34 PM | 245° | 10h 34m |
Computed for the park's reference point (25.4906, -80.2102); large parks span several minutes of difference.
Milky Way & dark skies
From Biscayne, the Milky Way core is visible in a dark sky from February through October. June gives the longest window (about 7.2 hours on a moonless night), and the core peaks around 36° above the southern horizon. Our light-pollution model puts the sky at about Bortle 5 (suburban sky), so expect visible sky glow; drive away from towns for better results.
| Month | Core visible (15th) | Hours | Max altitude |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| February | 4:23 AM – 5:33 AM | 1.2 | 22° |
| March | 3:37 AM – 6:07 AM | 2.5 | 32° |
| April | 1:33 AM – 5:33 AM | 4.0 | 36° |
| May | 11:35 PM – 5:05 AM | 5.5 | 36° |
| June | 9:44 PM – 4:54 AM | 7.2 | 36° |
| July | 9:43 PM – 3:33 AM | 5.8 | 36° |
| August | 9:19 PM – 1:29 AM | 4.2 | 36° |
| September | 8:43 PM – 11:23 PM | 2.7 | 33° |
| October | 8:11 PM – 9:31 PM | 1.3 | 23° |
| November | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| December | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
5 Estimated Bortle 5 — Suburban sky. The Milky Way is weak near the horizon and washed out overhead; long exposures pick up a sky glow.
Weather & best time to visit
The park is situated in a subtropical climate, which ensures sunshine year-round. Winters are normally dry and mild, with occasional fronts bringing wind and little rain. Summer brings hot and humid weather with scattered thunderstorms in the afternoons. The average temperature in January is 68 degrees Fahrenheit and 82 in July. The average rainfall for the area is 2.17 inches in January and 3.95 inches in July. June to November is hurricane season.
Weather overview: National Park Service.
Long-term NASA satellite data for this area show November as the clearest month (about 46% average cloud cover) and June as the cloudiest (69%). August is the warmest month and January the coldest, which matters for gear, snow access and how long batteries last at night.
Average cloud cover (%)
Average high (°F)
Photography permits, drones & fees
Permits. Under federal law (54 U.S.C. 100905), still photography in National Park Service areas needs a permit only when it (1) takes place where members of the public are not allowed, (2) uses models, sets or props that are not part of the location's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities, or (3) would cause the park to incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity. Ordinary visitor and most landscape photography needs no permit. Commercial filming rules are separate and have changed in recent years — confirm current requirements with the park before a paid shoot.
Drones. Launching, landing or operating unmanned aircraft (drones) is prohibited in National Park Service units under a 2014 Superintendent's closure (36 CFR 1.5), except where a park has issued specific written approval. Flying from outside the boundary over park land can also violate park rules and disturb wildlife.
Getting there
The Dante Fascell Visitor Center may be reached from the Florida Turnpike by taking Exit 6 (Speedway Boulevard). Turn left from exit ramp and continue south to SW 328th Street (North Canal Drive). Turn left on 328th Street and continue for four miles to the end of the road. The park entrance is on the left just before the entrance to Homestead Bayfront Marina.
Directions: National Park Service.
Activities
- Boating
- Motorized Boating
- Sailing
- Boat Tour
- Camping
- Fishing
- Guided Tours
- Boat Tour
- Paddling
- Canoeing
- Kayaking
- Stand Up Paddleboarding
- Junior Ranger Program
- SCUBA Diving
- Snorkeling
- Swimming
- Saltwater Swimming
- Wildlife Watching
- Birdwatching
- Park Film
- Museum Exhibits
- Shopping
- Bookstore and Park Store
- Gift Shop and Souvenirs
