Discover the Secrets: Top 11 Fun and Surprising Facts About Biscayne National Park

1. 95% Underwater Wonderland

Knock knock, who's there? Underwater! Underwater who? Underwater bliss at Biscayne National Park: This massive park, covering over 172,000 acres, is 95% underwater, making it one of America's largest marine parks. Dive or snorkel amidst vibrant corals, 500+ species of fish, loggerhead sea turtles, and even nurse sharks for a jaw-some experience any aquatic adventurer would flip(per) for.
Source => nps.gov

2. Schaus' Swallowtail Butterfly Elegance

They might not be the life of the "butterfly party," but Schaus' swallowtail butterfly sure knows how to dress to impress – with blacks and whites that would leave even a zebra feeling underdressed! But don't let their flashy wardrobe mislead you: at up to 2.3 inches wide, the wings of this critically imperiled butterfly species form a canvas for an extraordinary splash of yellow, painting the tropical hardwood hammocks of Key Largo and surrounding islands with fluttering elegance — a beauty under siege by the ever-looming threats of habitat loss, inbreeding, and environmental disasters.
Source => myfwc.com

Ahoy mateys! Discover the thrilling adventure of Dry Tortugas National Park, a scallywag hotspot accessible only by sea or air! Will you choose the seaplane or the ferry? Find out more!

=> Fun Facts about Dry-Tortugas-National-Park

3. Nautical Nancy Drew Adventures

Ahoy there, nautical Nancy Drews and Hardy Boys! Have you ever felt the urge to plunge into the deep blue and unravel some underwater whodunits? Well, Biscayne National Park is the place to take the plunge: This aquatic wonderland boasts a Maritime Heritage Trail featuring six shipwrecks that date back to the 19th and early-20th centuries, perfect for snorkel-detective work! And if you're craving a bonus mystery, Fowey Rocks Lighthouse is the newest addition to the trail with a submerged base that's great for exploring, although its towering structure remains cheekily off-limits to the public.
Source => nps.gov

4. African-American Pirate Legends

Did you know that Biscayne National Park spun an even earlier version of Pirates of the Caribbean, complete with an African-American Jack Sparrow?: Rich in black history, the park boasts legends of a pirate named Black Caesar and tales of runaway slaves using the area as a road to freedom. Israel Lafayette Jones, a black pioneer and the park's biggest benefactor, became the first black landowner in the Keys, owning Porgy Key, Totten Key, and Old Rhodes Key – all eventually sold to the federal government for the creation of Biscayne National Park.
Source => strangersguide.com

5. Neon Tropical Fish Fashion

Biscayne National Park isn't just your average under-the-sea soiree: hosting over 600 species of fish dressed in hues that put Miami's neon nightlife to shame. Dive into the scene: explore 25 miles of coral reef catwalk and shipwreck show-stoppers, where snorkelers and divers mingle with marine communities sporting the latest in tropical fish fashion.
Source => nps.gov

6. Coral Matchmaking Cupids

You might have heard of reefurbishments and coral estates, but did you know that Biscayne National Park is the place where corals swipe right and find their perfect match?: In a valiant effort to combat historically low coral populations, the park is playing cupid by restoring its coral reef ecosystem through repairing damaged reefs, propagating attractive coral fragments in in-water nurseries, and transplanting them onto the park's reefs. Not stopping there, they're also reattaching around 2,000 loose corals collected from park reefs to multiple locations, essentially building Tinder for corals to help increase population size, density, and diversity.
Source => floridanationalparks.org

7. Honeywell's Island Lighthouse

If an ostentatious industrialist from the 1930s and a lighthouse walked into a bar, they'd probably order a Key West cocktail with an unusual twist: Mark Honeywell built a 65-foot lighthouse on Boca Chita Key in Biscayne National Park during the 1930s, now serving as a popular attraction with its observation deck offering stunning views of the surrounding islands, bay, and Miami skyline – just don't expect a drink, as there's no water, electricity, or amenities on the island!
Source => nps.gov

8. The Ancient Tequesta Tribe

Back before Atlantis even had underwater property deals: Biscayne Bay was once a sprawling, dry savannah, home to Paleo-Indians more than 10,000 years ago and eventually bustling with the Tequesta tribe. However, the Europeans came along with their unwanted guests – diseases, leading to the decimation of Florida's native population by the 1700s. Today, Biscayne National Park safeguards their rich legacy and allows us to marvel at this lesser-known chapter of prehistory.
Source => nps.gov

9. Biscayne Park's Historical Mashup

From pineapple plantations to Cuban spy training grounds, it's as if Biscayne National Park moonlights as the Forrest Gump of national parks, continually finding itself in the thick of historical events: For a quick taste of its ludicrous past, Biscayne was once home to a thriving pineapple plantation, played host to a prestigious fishing club that welcomed Herbert Hoover and John F. Kennedy, and later served as a training ground for Cuban exiles during the Cold War. Nowadays, you'll find boaters enjoying the tropical forest and marine life, but beware of the Columbus Day havoc unleashed by an unruly regatta!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

10. Underwater Met Gala

Whoever said sea life isn't a party clearly hasn't visited Biscayne National Park's coral reefs, where the underwater landscape is basically all dressed up like it's going to the Met Gala of the sea: In reality, this coastal gem boasts one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth, hosting vibrant and uniquely shaped corals, sponges, fish, and sea turtles. South Florida's magical reefs delight millions of Miami visitors but are under threat from human activities, so keeping a watchful eye on our fins and using proper nautical gear goes a long way in preserving this exquisitely costumed natural wonder.
Source => nps.gov

11. Channel Your Inner Russell

If you ever wanted to become a real-life birdwatcher from the famous Pixar movie Up, Biscayne National Park is the place for you to channel your inner Russell: Home to yellow-crowned night herons, mangrove cuckoos, and white ibis, the park offers sightings of various bird species, including black and turkey vultures around Mowry Canal, royal terns at Boca Chita Key, and brown pelicans and petrels soaring around Fowey Rocks Light and Pacific Reef Light.
Source => nps.gov