Boating

Clarence Higgs Memorial Beach is an over 16 acre beach park located in Monroe County at the end of the Florida Overseas Heritage Trail.  It is just west of Smathers Beach and adjacent to the Key West Wildlife Center in downtown Key West. This beach is more than just a gorgeous place to spend the day under the South Florida sun, it is also a historical site with significant features that date back to the post-Civil War era.

Bahia Honda State Park is located on Bahia Honda Key in the city of Big Pine Key found in central Monroe county. Bahia Honda is renowned for its picturesque beaches with clear water and soft sands. Lay on the shore and watch the spectacular sunsets that frame the old railroad bridge. The shallow waters (4-6 feet) make it a nice place to snorkel or for beginner scuba divers. Snorkel gear can be rented from the park's concession as well as kayaks.

The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary NOAA is impossible to miss if you've ever gone into the water in the Keys.

Smathers Beach is the largest publc beach in Key West.  This municipal beach stretches about a half mile long and features a volleyball area, picnic tables, and restrooms.  Visitors can wash away the salt and sand with fresh water showers.  This beach is a popular destination for Spring Breakers.  If you'd like a little adventure on the water, you can rent jetskis from Smathers Beach or bring out your boat since Smathers does have a boat ramp.

Biscayne National Park is located south of the city of Miami and borders John Pennekamp State Park, Key Largo, and the Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary. The park was formed in 1980 after being expanded from a National Monument (1968) into a much larger National Park.  It's goal is to preserve the natural habitats and wildlife of Biscayne Bay, its offshore barrier reefs, and the upper keys (Boca Chita Key, Elliott Key, Adams Key and more).

So much to do that you can plan to spend the entire day!

Matheson Hammock Park & Beach is a large, 130 acre water-side area east of Kendall and Pinecrest, just south of Coconut Grove.  The park is adjacent to the beautiful Fairchild Gardens. This park was created back in the 1930s and developed by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps).  The sparkling jewel of the park is the manmade tidal pool filled and flushed naturally with water from Biscayne Bay.  It is a wonderful place for young children or beginning swimmers.

Everglades National Park spans more than 1.5 million acres with multiple entrances and visitor centers.  The main entrance is located in the city of Homestead in Miami-Dade county.  The park was created in 1947 in an effort to protect the area from further damage to this extremely important environmental area.  The Everglades, or "River of Grass",  consists of wetlands and forests fed by water flowing out of Lake Okeechobee  located to the north of the park.

Oleta River State Park is located in North Miami on eastern 163rd street.  This area was once inhabited by the ancient Tequesta people almost 3,000 years ago.  Today, this protected area is home to a large preserve of mangrove forest, native wildlife and plants.  This state park consists of about 1,000 acres and is the largest state park in Florida located in an urban area.  

Tropical Park is an almost 300-acre park in southwest Miami-Dade county that once served as a horse track.  It was transformed into a county park back in 1979.  This huge, diverse park offers everything from football games, world class equestrian shows, community center, a boxing program to the unique Santa's Enchanted Forest carnival.  Tropical Park has the standard leisure amenities like bicycling, walking or running on the miles of paved pathways.