A lush barrier island just off Miami, Key Biscayne delivers world-class beaches, a 200-year-old lighthouse, and the famous Stiltsville silhouette — without the South Beach crowds.
Key Biscayne is served by small and expedition-class ships (notably American Cruise Lines); large ocean liners use PortMiami, roughly 11 miles away.
💡 Pro move: The Rickenbacker Causeway is the only road on/off the island. Allow 90 min buffer before all-aboard — a single accident can freeze traffic completely.
Key Biscayne has no large cruise terminal; small vessels dock at marina facilities or anchor and tender.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| American Cruise Lines (catamarans) | Crandon Park Marina or anchor/tender📍 | Docked |
| Other small / expedition ships | Anchor offshore, tender to shore📍 | Tendered |
From pristine reef-sheltered beaches to a National Register lighthouse, Key Biscayne rewards every type of shore-day traveler.
Consistently ranked among America's top beaches, this wild southern-tip park wraps around the 1825 Cape Florida Lighthouse with nature trails, a No Name Harbor anchorage, and the Boaters Grill for Cuban lunch.
Find Key Biscayne nature tours →Florida's oldest standing structure (1825), the lighthouse offers free guided tours Thu–Mon at 10 AM and 1 PM inside Bill Baggs park. Climb for 360° views across Biscayne Bay.
Find lighthouse excursions →Two miles of powder-white sand with a sheltered sandbar that creates shallow, calm water ideal for families. Kayak and paddleboard rentals, cabanas, and picnic areas line the strand.
Find beach excursions →Stroll the compact village for Cuban pastries at Donut Gallery Diner (a local institution since 1971), boutique shops, and café terraces — all within easy walking distance of the marina.
Find Key Biscayne walking tours →From the southern tip of Bill Baggs, spot the ghostly cluster of 1930s-era wooden homes perched on stilts in Biscayne Bay. Bring binoculars. Kayaking tours venture closer for a unique vantage point.
Find Biscayne Bay kayak tours →Key Biscayne's paved paths and quiet roads make for easy cycling or walking between beaches, parks, and the village.
An easy stroll or quick bike ride north from the village center along Crandon Boulevard to the beach entrance and nature center.
From the Bill Baggs State Park entrance, follow the trail past the keeper's cottage to the lighthouse, then loop back along the Atlantic-facing beach to No Name Harbor and the Boaters Grill.
Climate normals for Key Biscayne, Florida, USA (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 75°F / 24°C | 63°F / 17°C | 11 | 7:08 AM | 5:51 PM |
| Feb | 77°F / 25°C | 67°F / 19°C | 11 | 6:55 AM | 6:14 PM |
| Mar | 79°F / 26°C | 68°F / 20°C | 9 | 7:29 AM | 7:29 PM |
| Apr | 82°F / 28°C | 72°F / 22°C | 12 | 6:57 AM | 7:43 PM |
| May | 83°F / 28°C | 74°F / 23°C | 16 | 6:35 AM | 7:59 PM |
| Jun | 85°F / 29°C | 77°F / 25°C | 22 | 6:29 AM | 8:13 PM |
| Jul | 87°F / 31°C | 78°F / 26°C | 22 | 6:39 AM | 8:13 PM |
| Aug | 87°F / 31°C | 79°F / 26°C | 24 | 6:54 AM | 7:55 PM |
| Sep | 86°F / 30°C | 77°F / 25°C | 24 | 7:06 AM | 7:24 PM |
| Oct | 83°F / 28°C | 75°F / 24°C | 18 | 7:19 AM | 6:52 PM |
| Nov | 80°F / 27°C | 70°F / 21°C | 13 | 6:38 AM | 5:31 PM |
| Dec | 77°F / 25°C | 67°F / 19°C | 10 | 6:59 AM | 5:32 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Taxis are available near the dock and along Crandon Boulevard. Expect $30–$45 for a ride to Downtown Miami or Brickell; the Rickenbacker Causeway tolls are included.
Uber and Lyft both serve Key Biscayne reliably. Surge pricing can apply during peak hours on the single causeway in/out of the island.
Miami-Dade Metrobus Route 26 connects Key Biscayne to Brickell Metrorail Station (~21 min). From Brickell you can reach Downtown Miami or MIA by rail.
Key Biscayne has dedicated bike paths. Citi Bike docks and rental shops near Crandon Park let you explore the island's beaches and Bill Baggs State Park without a car.
Most of Key Biscayne's highlights — Bill Baggs State Park, the Cape Florida Lighthouse, and Crandon Park Beach — are within walking or cycling distance of the dock. No transport needed for a beach day.
Upcoming cruises that call at Key Biscayne, Florida, USA. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.