Key Biscayne, Florida is a charming laid-back town located on one of Miami’s barrier islands. It is a short 15-minute drive from downtown Miami but feels like it’s a world away. Cross over the Rickenbacker Bridge and spend a day exploring the best things to do in Key Biscayne!
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Best Things to do in Key Biscayne, Florida
Table of Contents
- 1. Rent a boat and explore the bay
- 2. Eat breakfast at the Donut Gallery Diner
- 3. Relax on the beach at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
- 4. Take a tour of Stiltsville
- Other things to do in Key Biscayne:
1. Rent a boat and explore the bay
If you’re looking for a unique way to explore Key Biscayne, I would highly recommend renting a boat.
You can rent a boat through GetMyBoat and pick it up at the Rickenbacker Marina in Key Biscayne.
Click the link for pricing and availability:
The Marina is centrally located in Biscayne Bay with plenty to see in the area. The boats are listed by private owners so the type of boat and pricing will vary.
We rented an 8-seater Bayliner for 3 hours. The cost was $100 per hour plus service fees and gas.
You don’t need to have boating experience to rent a boat. The bay is mostly calm with quite a few wakeless zones so you can take it slow.
The owner will also meet you at the marina to give you instructions and a safety briefing.
If you were born before 1988, you only need a valid driver’s license. If you were born after 1988 then Florida law requires that you take a boater education course.
Instead of renting a boat, you can also take a guided tour of the bay on a vintage yacht, or take a millionaire home tour for only $30!
Star Island Miami
Once you head out into the bay, I would recommend checking out Star Island.
This artificial island is home to some of Miami’s wealthiest residents. J. Lo, P. Diddy, and Lisa Hochstein from Real Housewives are just a few celebrities who have houses here.
Here is a map of the different celebrity homes on Star Island and around Miami.
Visitors are allowed to drive to Star Island, but it is so much better to see it from the water.
From the street, most of the homes are shrouded in trees and security gates, so you get a much better view from the water of the ostentatious mansions and yachts.
Chance are you’ll even see some real Miami dolphins playing in the bay!
Miami River
The Miami skyline is also spectacular from the water.
From this vantage point, you’ll be able to soak in the unobstructed views of the city.
And did you know that Miami has a river that runs right through downtown? The Miami River flows for 5.5 miles from the Everglades all the way to Biscayne Bay!
You can follow the river upstream where the banks are lined with towering buildings and fancy yachts.
And if you’re looking for more things to do in Miami, check out our guide How to Spend 48 Hours in Miami!
Sand bars
There are several sandbars in Biscayne Bay that attract party-goers on the weekends.
On any given weekend during low tide, you will find hundreds of boats anchored near the sandbar. It’s quite a party with music, swimming, drinking, and even floating food stands and delivery boats.
One of the most popular sandbars is Nixon Beach Sandbar, named for its location near Pres. Nixon’s former south Florida home.
You can find the sandbar just off the west coast of Key Biscayne near Hurricane Harbor.
Bear Cut Sandbar is a little quieter and better suited for families. It is located on the northern tip of Key Biscayne in a protected reserve.
For years, the Haulover Sandbar has been the most popular sandbar in Miami. However, in 2021 the city announced plans to dredge the sandbar later that year.
Boat-in restaurants
If you’re getting hungry while you’re on the water, you can dock your boat at the Boater’s Grill right on the waterfront.
Their specialty dish is a freshly caught snapper that is fried whole.
The Rusty Pelican is also located on the water at Rickenbacker Marina with beautiful views over the bay.
For another fun water activity, try kayaking to the Emerald Cut at King’s Landing near Orlando!
2. Eat breakfast at the Donut Gallery Diner
The Donut Gallery Diner has been a beloved Key Biscayne landmark for the past 50 years.
It was first opened in 1972 by the Zambrano family when they immigrated from Cuba. It is still run by the same family today.
The unassuming diner is tucked into the corner of a strip mall.
At first glance, it may not seem like much. However, this small family-owned diner is a neighborhood favorite among locals and tourists alike.
The walls are lined with photos of happy customers over the years. A few repeat customers even include Andy Garcia and Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer.
The no-nonsense diner serves up hearty homecooked breakfast and lunch dishes every day from 6 am to 3 pm.
You can find classic favorites on their menu like french toast, pancakes, omelets, sandwiches, and burgers. But one thing you won’t find is donuts, which can be a bit misleading given the name.
But the one thing that you should order is the famous Ted Special. lt consists of a toasted English muffin topped with bacon, ham, tomato, fried egg, and melted cheese.
Ted’s Special even made Thrillist’s list of ’50 Things You Need to Eat in Miami Before You Die’.
The cozy cafe has bar stools at the grill where you can watch each dish being cooked fresh to order. The food is delicious and affordable, and the service is fast and friendly!
*Related post: And if you’re planning to visit Harry Potter World while in Florida, then check out our guide The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Photos & Tips!
3. Relax on the beach at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
Bill Baggs State Park is a bit of a hidden gem. Escape the crowds at Miami’s South Beach, and head to the white sand beaches and warm crystalline waters of Key Biscayne.
This state park features a one-mile-long pristine beach that often ranks as one of the top 10 beaches in the US.
You’ll also find a historic 1800s lighthouse.
The Cape Florida Lighthouse was constructed in 1825 and is considered the oldest structure in Miami-Dade.
It has survived dozens of hurricanes and natural erosion over the past 200 years and still stands today.
Guided tours of the lighthouse and keeper’s cottage are available Thursday thru Monday at 10 am and 1 pm. The tours are free with your $8 park entrance fee.
The beach at the base of the lighthouse is lined with bright blue umbrellas and chairs that can be rented for $30 cash only for the duration of your visit.
4. Take a tour of Stiltsville
Did you know that there is an abandoned ghost town that appears to be floating about a mile off the shore of Key Biscayne?
Stiltsville was a renegade village on stilts back in the 1930s towards the end of the Prohibition Era. Gambling and Liquor flowed freely in this floating village of sorts.
Stiltsville can be found about a mile south of the southern tip of Key Biscayne. The structures are built on a sandbar where the water is only a few feet deep.
At its peak, there were 27 structures, including some of Miami’s most popular social clubs. Particularly, the Bikini Club.
It became a playground for Miami’s rich and famous and was even rumored to be a favorite hangout of Al Capone’s.
Over the years, hurricanes and fires destroyed most of the structures. In fact, a fire destroyed a structure just last year resulting in only 6 vacant houses remaining.
Stiltsville is protected and preserved as part of Biscayne National Park.
While you can’t go inside the buildings, you can take a narrated boat tour to cruise around the abandoned structures and hear some interesting stories.
Or consider a sunset sail that takes you around the bay to see the lighthouse and Stiltsville. You can also book a tour through the National Park Institute, but they are only offered on the weekends.
If you would like to visit Stiltsville on your own via a boat or kayak, you’ll need to request a permit in advance.
It really is one of the most unique ghost towns we’ve ever seen!
Other things to do in Key Biscayne:
If you have extra time, here are a few more things to do in Key Biscayne, Florida
- Rent a bike: One of the best ways to explore Key Biscayne is by bike. There are almost 9 miles of bike lanes and developed biking trails around the island. Depending on how much time you have, you can rent a bike near Crandon Park and ride all the way down to the lighthouse, or bike around the Bear Cut Preserve.
- Snorkel around a sunken ship: The Half Moon Archeological Site is located northeast of Key Biscayne. It is the site of a submerged racing yacht. It is located only 3-4 feet below the surface and the artificial reef makes for a great place to snorkel. This underwater archaeological preserve is a Florida Heritage Site open to the public. A few options to visit include a guided jet ski tour, a snorkel tour, or you can rent your own jet skis.
- Explore an abandoned zoo: The remains of Miami’s first zoo can be found at the Crandon Park Zoo Ruins. It is rumored that a traveling circus broke down here in Miami in 1948 and the animals were purchased by the city. A small zoo was created but unfortunately, many of the animals died during Hurricane Betsy. Today, visitors can walk around the overgrown gardens to see abandoned animal enclosures and wandering peacocks and iguanas.
- Farmer’s Market: If you’re visiting on a Saturday, stop by the Key Biscayne Farmer’s Market from 9 am to 2 pm where you can pick up ingredients for a beach picnic. You’ll find more than 40 vendors selling food and goods from around the world.
- Stay at the Ritz Carlton: The Ritz Carlton is the best place to stay in Key Biscayne. The luxurious resort sits right on the shore of the sugary white beach. If you plan to spend a few days in Key Biscayne, the location and amenities are top-notch. Or, you can just stop by and grab a bite to eat at their beachfront restaurant, Cantina Beach, or the 1940s Havana-style RUMBAR in the lobby.
- Vizcaya Museum & Gardens: Tour this incredible villa that once belonged to business tycoon James Deering. This 1916 waterfront estate has 32 decorated rooms, 10 acres of manicured gardens, and an incredible pool and grotto. Scenes from several blockbuster movies were even filmed here including Ace Ventura, Godfather II, Scarface, Iron Man3, and more.
I hope this guide has helped you discover the best things to do in Key Biscayne, Florida!
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