Boca Chita Key (not to be confused with Boca Chica Key) is located just south of the Ragged Keys in the upper area of Biscayne National Park. It is part of Miami-Dade County, Florida and the famous Florida Keys. It is one of the most popular of the Florida Keys and has camping and picnic facilities for visitors. You can reach it by a short 25-mile boat trip from Miami and its general vicinity.
Points of Interest on the Island
One of the first structures you will notice when arriving at Boca Chita Key is the beautiful lighthouse. There is a wall encompassing the lighthouse where you can tie your boat and immediately begin enjoying the island’s serenity and charm. The lighthouse on the island was built by one of its previous owners, Mark Honeywell. There is also an old canon that was rescued from one of the many sunken ships that rest on the bottom of Biscayne Bay. You can go up on the observation deck when there are park staff present on the island. Standing on the deck, you can view the Metropolitan Miami and surrounding area skylines, Biscayne Bay, other islands, and the Atlantic Ocean.
What You Can Do on Boca Chita Key
One of the popular things to do on this island is camping and there are facilities available for it. It also has picnic tables, barbeque grills, and a hiking trail. Keep in mind that there is no fresh water or electricity on the island so you truly have to rough it and do without the shower. There is also no trash pickup so do your part to protect the natural beauty of this island and take refuse with you when you leave. For $20 U.S Dollars, you will be able to park your boat overnight and camp on the island. There is an automated kiosk where you can purchase your camping pass/boat parking ticket.
Many people who have enjoyed camping at Boca Chita Key recommend taking a chartered boat there because the captains know how to navigate the waters that oftentimes have very shallow points. However, people who have navigated say the channels are well-marked. If you have your own boat, you’ll find that as long as it is no longer than 38 feet and can run depths of up to 5 feet then it will be well-suited for this island. There is a small harbor wedged in the island with access to the docking wall and a depth of around 6 to 7 feet.
Some campers have reported that it’s a good idea to use bug spray as the mosquitoes and ticks can be quite annoying at times. There are no sales facilities on the island so you will need to bring your own spray. Recommendations are to also arrive just before dusk if you are going to camp as many of the day visitors have left.
You can also go fishing everywhere in the area except the harbor. You can see a variety of wildlife, marine life, birds, and plant life. Don’t cut anything from the plants or take any coral because they are all protected as part of the Biscayne National Park. Don’t miss a visit to Boca Chita Key.