Biscayne National Park: 95% Water

The most unusual national park in the system and the one most visitors have never heard of. It starts at the Dante Fascell Visitor Center in Homestead — thirty minutes south of Key Biscayne — and extends across Biscayne Bay to the northernmost coral reef in the US. 173,000 acres of mangrove, seagrass, and living reef.

The snorkel trip to the reef is the signature — boat to the offshore keys, guided snorkel over brain coral, sea fans, and tropical fish so neon-bright they look like someone shattered stained glass underwater. The paddle trail through the mangrove shoreline is the land alternative �� kayak through channels so narrow the roots form a tunnel overhead. Manatees in winter. Dolphins in the channels.

Visitor center is free. Snorkel and boat trips by concessioners, reservation required. Bring reef-safe sunscreen. No entrance fee — one of the few in the system. The isolation means snorkeling is better than any resort beach.