Key Biscayne, Florida, USA cruise port
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Key Biscayne, Florida, USA

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.

⚓ Small ships / tender landing🕒 Typical call: 6–8 hrs💵 USD🗣️ English🌴 Beach & nature day
Docking
Tender or marina dock (American Cruise Lines; small vessels only)
Walk to center
Village shops & dining within 5–10 min of Crandon Park Marina
Best For
Beaches, cycling, nature parks, Miami skyline views
Don't Miss
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park & the 1825 lighthouse

Getting Ashore

Key Biscayne is served by small and expedition-class ships (notably American Cruise Lines); large ocean liners use PortMiami, roughly 11 miles away.

Getting Ashore at Key Biscayne

  • 1
    Tender or marina landingSmall ships anchor offshore and tender passengers to shore, or dock at Crandon Park Marina or a nearby small-craft facility. Check your ship's announcement for the exact landing point.
  • 2
    From PortMiami (large ships)If your itinerary lists Key Biscayne but you dock at PortMiami, take a rideshare (Uber/Lyft, ~$25–35 one way) across the Rickenbacker Causeway — about 20–30 min depending on traffic.
  • 3
    Getting around the islandThe village center is walkable. Rent bikes near Crandon Park ($20–30/day) to reach both state parks. Golf cart rentals are also available on the island.

💡 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.

Piers & Tendering by Cruise Line

Key Biscayne has no large cruise terminal; small vessels dock at marina facilities or anchor and tender.

Cruise LineTypical Berth / ArrivalDock or Tender
American Cruise Lines (catamarans)Crandon Park Marina or anchor/tender📍Docked
Other small / expedition shipsAnchor offshore, tender to shore📍Tendered

Top Excursions

From pristine reef-sheltered beaches to a National Register lighthouse, Key Biscayne rewards every type of shore-day traveler.

Nature

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

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.

⏱ Half day🚴 Bike or rideshare to reach🌊 Swimming & trails
Find Key Biscayne nature tours →
Iconic

Cape Florida Lighthouse

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.

⏱ 1–2 hrs🏛 Historic landmark🆓 Free tour (park entry fee applies)
Find lighthouse excursions →
Relax

Crandon Park Beach

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.

⏱ 2–4 hrs🏖 World-class beach🚣 Water sports
Find beach excursions →
Culture

Village of Key Biscayne

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.

⏱ 1–2 hrs🚶 Walkable☕ Great café scene
Find Key Biscayne walking tours →
Wildlife

Stiltsville & Biscayne Bay Views

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.

⏱ 30 min viewing🔭 Binoculars helpful🛶 Kayak tours available
Find Biscayne Bay kayak tours →

Self-Guided Walks & Hikes

Key Biscayne's paved paths and quiet roads make for easy cycling or walking between beaches, parks, and the village.

Village to Crandon Park Beach

1.5 miles each way · Flat · 25–30 min walk

An easy stroll or quick bike ride north from the village center along Crandon Boulevard to the beach entrance and nature center.

  1. StartVillage of Key Biscayne
  2. StopMarjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center
  3. EndCrandon Park Beach
🗺️ See full route in Maps →

Cape Florida Lighthouse Loop

~1 mile inside park · Easy · 45–60 min

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.

  1. StartBill Baggs Cape Florida State Park entrance
  2. StopCape Florida Lighthouse
  3. StopNo Name Harbor
  4. EndBoaters Grill
🗺️ See full route in Maps →

Weather & Best Time to Visit

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.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainy DaysSunriseSunset
Jan75°F / 24°C63°F / 17°C117:08 AM5:51 PM
Feb77°F / 25°C67°F / 19°C116:55 AM6:14 PM
Mar79°F / 26°C68°F / 20°C97:29 AM7:29 PM
Apr82°F / 28°C72°F / 22°C126:57 AM7:43 PM
May83°F / 28°C74°F / 23°C166:35 AM7:59 PM
Jun85°F / 29°C77°F / 25°C226:29 AM8:13 PM
Jul87°F / 31°C78°F / 26°C226:39 AM8:13 PM
Aug87°F / 31°C79°F / 26°C246:54 AM7:55 PM
Sep86°F / 30°C77°F / 25°C247:06 AM7:24 PM
Oct83°F / 28°C75°F / 24°C187:19 AM6:52 PM
Nov80°F / 27°C70°F / 21°C136:38 AM5:31 PM
Dec77°F / 25°C67°F / 19°C106:59 AM5:32 PM

Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)

Insider Tips

  • One road off the island. The Rickenbacker Causeway is the only exit — a single accident can stop all traffic. Build in at least 90 minutes before all-aboard if you're at the state parks.
  • 🚴
    Rent a bike. The island is flat and has dedicated bike lanes. A rental ($20–30/day) lets you cover both state parks and the village without waiting for rideshares.
  • 🐛
    Bug spray is essential in the mangrove-heavy state parks, especially around sunrise and sunset when no-see-ums and mosquitoes are most active.
  • 💵
    Cash or card for park entry: Bill Baggs is $8/vehicle or $2/pedestrian; Crandon Park is $2–9. Most island restaurants accept cards.
  • 🌅
    Best Miami skyline views are from the Rusty Pelican on Virginia Key (on the causeway before the island) — great for a celebratory lunch with an unobstructed cityscape backdrop.

Cruises Calling Here

Upcoming cruises that call at Key Biscayne, Florida, USA. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.

ACL American Maverick
American Cruise Lines Cruises
Amelia Island Florida → St Petersburg FL
⚓ Calls 28 Oct 202613 nights13 portsDeparts 2026 Oct 21
View itinerary · 13 ports
13 days, one-way from Amelia Island Florida to St Petersburg FL
  1. 21 OctDeparting from Amelia Island Florida, Fernandina Beach
  2. 21 OctAmelia Island Florida, Fernandina Beach
  3. 21 Octcoastal cruising
  4. 22 OctGreen Cove Springs FL, Florida
  5. 23 OctSt Augustine FL, Florida
  6. 25 OctPort Canaveral, Orlando, Florida
  7. 26 Octcoastal cruising
  8. 27 OctWest Palm Beach, Florida
  9. 28 OctKey Biscayne FL, Florida
  10. 29 Oct - 30 OctKey West, Florida
  11. 01 NovMarco Island Florida
  12. 02 NovPunta Gorda Florida, Fishermen's Village
  13. 03 NovArriving in St Petersburg FL, Florida
Find this cruise to book →
$12360from / pp
ACL American Ranger
American Cruise Lines Cruises
Amelia Island Florida → St Petersburg FL
⚓ Calls 30 Nov 202613 nights13 portsDeparts 2026 Nov 23
View itinerary · 13 ports
13 days, one-way from Amelia Island Florida to St Petersburg FL
  1. 23 NovDeparting from Amelia Island Florida, Fernandina Beach
  2. 23 NovAmelia Island Florida, Fernandina Beach
  3. 23 Novcoastal cruising
  4. 24 NovGreen Cove Springs FL, Florida
  5. 25 NovSt Augustine FL, Florida
  6. 27 NovPort Canaveral, Orlando, Florida
  7. 28 Novcoastal cruising
  8. 29 NovWest Palm Beach, Florida
  9. 30 NovKey Biscayne FL, Florida
  10. 01 Dec - 02 DecKey West, Florida
  11. 04 DecMarco Island Florida
  12. 05 DecPunta Gorda Florida, Fishermen's Village
  13. 06 DecArriving in St Petersburg FL, Florida
Find this cruise to book →
$12360from / pp
ACL American Maverick
American Cruise Lines Cruises
Amelia Island Florida → St Petersburg FL
⚓ Calls 24 Feb 202713 nights11 portsDeparts 2027 Feb 17
View itinerary · 11 ports
13 days, one-way from Amelia Island Florida to St Petersburg FL
  1. 17 FebDeparting from Amelia Island Florida, Fernandina Beach
  2. 17 Feb - 18 FebAmelia Island Florida, Fernandina Beach
  3. 20 FebSt Augustine FL, Florida
  4. 21 Febcoastal cruising
  5. 22 FebPort Canaveral, Orlando, Florida
  6. 23 FebWest Palm Beach, Florida
  7. 24 FebKey Biscayne FL, Florida
  8. 25 Feb - 26 FebKey West, Florida
  9. 28 FebMarco Island Florida
  10. 01 MarPunta Gorda Florida, Fishermen's Village
  11. 02 MarArriving in St Petersburg FL, Florida
Find this cruise to book →
Price on request
ACL American Maverick
American Cruise Lines Cruises
Tampa → Amelia Island Florida
⚓ Calls 27 Apr 202713 nights11 portsDeparts 2027 Apr 21
View itinerary · 11 ports
13 days, one-way from Tampa to Amelia Island Florida
  1. 21 AprDeparting from Tampa, Florida
  2. 21 AprSt Petersburg FL, Florida
  3. 22 AprPunta Gorda Florida, Fishermen's Village
  4. 23 AprMarco Island Florida
  5. 25 Apr - 26 AprKey West, Florida
  6. 27 AprKey Biscayne FL, Florida
  7. 28 AprWest Palm Beach, Florida
  8. 29 AprPort Canaveral, Orlando, Florida
  9. 01 MayGreen Cove Springs FL, Florida
  10. 02 MaySt Augustine FL, Florida
  11. 04 MayArriving in Amelia Island Florida, Fernandina Beach
Find this cruise to book →
$13150from / pp
ACL American Maverick
American Cruise Lines Cruises
Amelia Island Florida → St Petersburg FL
⚓ Calls 15 Nov 202713 nights13 portsDeparts 2027 Nov 08
View itinerary · 13 ports
13 days, one-way from Amelia Island Florida to St Petersburg FL
  1. 08 NovDeparting from Amelia Island Florida, Fernandina Beach
  2. 08 NovAmelia Island Florida, Fernandina Beach
  3. 08 Novcoastal cruising
  4. 09 NovGreen Cove Springs FL, Florida
  5. 10 NovSt Augustine FL, Florida
  6. 12 NovPort Canaveral, Orlando, Florida
  7. 13 Novcoastal cruising
  8. 14 NovWest Palm Beach, Florida
  9. 15 NovKey Biscayne FL, Florida
  10. 16 Nov - 17 NovKey West, Florida
  11. 19 NovMarco Island Florida
  12. 20 NovPunta Gorda Florida, Fishermen's Village
  13. 21 NovArriving in St Petersburg FL, Florida
Find this cruise to book →
$12360from / pp
ACL American Maverick
American Cruise Lines Cruises
Tampa → Amelia Island Florida
⚓ Calls 07 May 202813 nights11 portsDeparts 2028 May 01
View itinerary · 11 ports
13 days, one-way from Tampa to Amelia Island Florida
  1. 01 MayDeparting from Tampa, Florida
  2. 01 MaySt Petersburg FL, Florida
  3. 02 MayPunta Gorda Florida, Fishermen's Village
  4. 03 MayMarco Island Florida
  5. 05 May - 06 MayKey West, Florida
  6. 07 MayKey Biscayne FL, Florida
  7. 08 MayWest Palm Beach, Florida
  8. 09 MayPort Canaveral, Orlando, Florida
  9. 11 MayGreen Cove Springs FL, Florida
  10. 12 MaySt Augustine FL, Florida
  11. 14 MayArriving in Amelia Island Florida, Fernandina Beach
Find this cruise to book →
$13150from / pp
See more cruises visiting Key Biscayne →

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.