At the southern tip of Key Biscayne, where the Atlantic meets Biscayne Bay, a 130-year-old lighthouse marks the point where Miami's urban sprawl finally concedes to nature. The beach here is consistently rated among the best in the United States, and the absence of high-rises, clubs, and commerce creates a quality of silence that South Beach cannot imagine. The Cape Florida Lighthouse, built in 1825 and the oldest standing structure in Miami-Dade County, survived Seminole attacks and hurricanes and now stands as a monument to the particular stubbornness of things that refuse to fall down.
Location
Key Biscayne, Miami
Map
Insider Intel
The lighthouse tour provides the historical context and the view from the top. The beach stretches along the Atlantic side — walk south toward the point where the ocean meets the bay for the most pristine section. The nature trails through the mangrove and hardwood hammock offer shade and wildlife. The rental kayaks allow you to explore the bay side and the mangrove channels. The picnic pavilions near the beach are the most civilized way to spend a full day.
Weekday mornings year-round for the emptiest beach and the best swimming conditions. Weekend mornings before 10am are manageable. The park fills by midday on weekends and holidays, and the parking lot reaches capacity — arrive early. The late afternoon light on the lighthouse is the photographic moment. Winter months offer the most comfortable temperatures for the nature trails.
Located at the southern tip of Key Biscayne, accessible via the Rickenbacker Causeway from Brickell (toll road). Park entrance fee per vehicle. Parking fills on weekends — arrive before 10am to guarantee entry. The beach has lifeguards and restroom facilities. The lighthouse tours are scheduled at specific times; check the park website. There are two small restaurants in the park (the Boater's Grill and the Lighthouse Cafe) that serve decent, simple food. Bring snorkelling gear if you have it — the reef just offshore is accessible from the beach. No pets on the beach.