Biscayne

Biscayne Biscayne National Park Florida National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior ©MURRYH SILL The 65-foot lighthouse on Boca Chita Key provides outstanding views of Biscayne Bay. Biscayne National Park has the simple beauty of a child's drawing. Clear blue water. Bright yellow sun. Big sky. Dark green woodlands. Here and there a boat, a bird. It is a subtropical place where a mainland mangrove shoreline, a warm shallow bay, small islands or keys, and living coral reefs intermingle. Together they make up a vast, almost pristine wilderness and recreation area along the southeast edge of the Florida peninsula. The park, located 21 miles east of Everglades National Park, was established as a national monument in 1968. In 1980 it was enlarged to 173,000 acres and designated as a national park to protect a rare combination of terrestrial and undersea life, to preserve a scenic subtropical setting, and to provide an outstanding spot for recreation and relaxation. In most parks land dominates the picture. But Biscayne is not like most parks. Here water and sky overwhelm the scene in every direction, leaving the bits of lowlying land looking remote and insignificant. This is paradise for marine life, water birds, boaters, anglers, snorkelers, and divers alike. The water is refreshingly clean, extraordinarily clear. Only the maintenance of the natural interplay between the mainland, Biscayne Bay, keys, reefs, and the Florida Straits keeps it that way. The Caribbean-like climate saturates the park with year-round warmth, generous sunshine, and abundant rainfall. Tropical life thrives. The land is filled to overflowing with an unusual collection of trees, ferns, vines, flowers, and shrubs. Forests are lush, dark, humid, evergreen; many birds, butterflies, and other animals live in these woods. behavior are as exotic as their names— stoplight parrotfish, finger garlic sponge, goosehead scorpionfish, princess venus, peppermint goby. A reef explorer can spend hours drifting lazily in the waters above the reefs and watch a passing procession of some of the sea's most fascinating inhabitants. No less odd or diverse is Biscayne's underwater world. At its center are the coral reefs. Unlike the ocean depths, which are dark and nearly lifeless, the shallow water reefs are inundated with light and burgeoning with life. Brilliantly colorful tropical fish and other curious creatures populate the reefs. Their appearances and Whether on the reefs, the keys, the bay, or the mainland, you leave behind what is familiar and become acquainted with another world that is strange and wild. Biscayne is a different sort of national park. Expect the unexpected. Sea fan ©JOHN HALAS Mainland Bay In Biscayne the mainland mangrove shoreline has been preserved almost unbroken. For many years these trees of tropical and subtropical coasts were considered almost worthless. Some were cut for timber or used to make charcoal. As recently as the 1960s the mangrove wilderness was referred to as "a form of wasteland." Like thousands of other wetlands, it was cleared or filled t o make way for harbors and expanding cities. "The water of Biscayne Bay is exceedingly clear. In no part can one fail to clearly distinguish objects on the bottom . . .," biologist Hugh Smith w r o t e in 1895. Today the shallow waters of this tropical lagoon are still remarkably transparent. They serve as a blue-green tinted w i n d o w t o a world of starfish, sponges, sea urchins, crabs, fish of all sizes and kinds, and hundreds of other marine plants and animals. Now we understand that the mangroves are vital to the well-being of the park and surrounding areas. W i t h o u t them, there w o u l d be fewer fish for anglers and fewer birds for birdwatchers. Biscayne Bay would become murky. Areas inland would be exposed t o the full violence of hurricanes. Beyond the Darkness It is hard to see what lives in the brackish waters of the mangrove swamps because this water is stained brown by tannins f r o m the trees. Hidden among the maze of roots is a The bay is a reservoir of natural riches, teeming with unusual, valuable, and rare wildlife. It is home for many; a temporary refuge and feeding ground for others; and a birthplace and nursery for still others. It is a benign powerhouse, designed to draw energy from the Sun and use it t o support a complex and farreaching web of life. The manatee is one unusual animal that depends on this web. This gentle blubbery giant visits the bay in winter to graze peacefully on turtle and manatee Red mangroves ©JOHN BROOKS productive nursery for all sorts of commercial, sport, and reef fish. Here the young find shelter and food. Fallen mangrove leaves feed bacteria and other microorganisms, and so begins a food web that supports not only underwater life but also birds that nest and roost in the tree tops. Defending the Coast The mangrove forest appears as a nearly impenetrable fortress. Perhaps a snake or mosquito can move through easily, but little else can. It makes an effective buffer between the mainland and Biscayne Bay. It guards the bay from being dirtied by eroded soil and pollutants washing from the land by trapping them in its tangle of roots. Mangroves also stand as a natural line of defense against the strong wind and waves of hurricanes. "Freaks" of Nature Mangroves have been called freaks, and a close look reveals why. Roots of the red mangrove arch stilt-like out of the water or grow down into the water from overhead branches. The roots of the black mangrove look like hundreds of cigars planted in the mud— they are the breathing organs necessary for survival in this waterlogged environment. grasses. It is the water's warmth and ample food supply that attracts this endangered marine mammal. Sanctuary for Birds Birds are drawn t o the bay year-round. Each follows its own instincts for survival. Brown pelicans patrol the surface of the bay, diving to catch their prey. White ibis meander across exposed mud flats, probing for small fish and crustaceans. Large colonies of little blue herons, snowy egrets, and other wading birds nest seasonally in the protected refuge of the Arsenicker Keys. The extremely shallow waters surrounding these mangrove islands in the south bay are especially well suited for foraging. History of Abundance The coastal wilderness of south Florida was the first spot in North America explored by Europeans. Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon sailed across Biscayne Bay in search of the mythical Fountain of Youth in 1513. Studying turtles NPyCOURTESY KODAK, PHOTO ©NEIL MONTANUS Keys Reef Later, travelers such as land surveyor Andrew Ellicott recorded the bounty of life in the region. "Fish are abundant," Ellicott w r o t e in 1799. "[Sea] Turtles are also to be had in plenty; those we took were of three kinds; the loggerhead, hawk-bill, and green." In the 1800s and early 1900s many settlers of the keys earned their living f r o m the bay. Among them were Key West fishermen w h o collected and sold the fast-growing, " f i n e quality" bay sponges. Underwater Crossroads Today commercial fishermen, anglers, snorkelers, and boaters still reap bountiful rewards from the bay. The bay's good health is reflected in the numbers of different kinds of fish—more than 250—that spend part of their lives in it. Many of the fish that dazzle snorkelers and divers on the coral reefs by day feed in the bay at night. Like the mangrove shoreline, the bay plays a critical role as a fish nursery. The young of many coral reef fish, such as parrot and butterfly fish, and sport fish, such as grunts, snappers, and the highly prized Spanish mackerel, find f o o d and shelter f r o m big hungry predators in the bay's thick jungle of marine grasses. Images of the Bay Peering into the crystal waters of Biscayne Bay, it is hard to imagine either its past or its future as clouded. The bay seems suspended in t i m e . While neighboring Miami-Dade County has mushroomed into a metropolis of more than 2.2 million people, the bay appears t o have captured the magic of the Fountain of Youth that eluded Ponce de Leon. It has remained beautiful and relatively unspoiled. Though thousands of years old, it is still vibrant w i t h life. But, this has not always been true. Early in the 20th century parts of the bay were dying. In some northern areas of the park pollutants poisoned the bay, and construction runoff spilled suffocating amounts of sediments. Today after years of cleanup, the north bay is recovering and the rest of the bay remains nearly pristine. In 1895 biologist Hugh Smith declared that Biscayne Bay was "one of the finest bodies of water on the coast of Florida." In another hundred years—if wellprotected—it still could be. Dive into the undersea realm of the coral reefs, and you will discover a feast for the eyes. It is a living kaleidoscope of gaudy colors, bold patterns, intricate designs, and peculiar shapes. Alien, yet inviting, the life of the reefs excites and mystifies snorkelers and scientists alike. About 100,000 years ago the Florida Keys were under construction. The builders were billions of coral animals, each not much larger than a period or a dot on this page. Together these animals built a 150-mile-long chain of coral reefs. When these reefs later emerged from the sea, they became the islands of the Florida Keys. If you look closely, you can see fossil coral rock on the islands of Biscayne. Reef Builders Among the most puzzling creatures are the corals. Early biologists suspected they were plants. But each coral—each brain, finger, or staghorn coral— is actually a colony of thousands of tiny, softbodied animals. These animals called polyps are relatives of the sea anemone and jellyfish. Rarely seen in the day, the polyps emerge from their hard, stony skele- suming animals are the mighty master reef builders. The creation of one reef requires the effort of billions of individuals. Each extracts building material—calcium—from the sea and uses it to make itself a protective tubeshaped skeleton. Hundreds of these skeletons make a coral. Many corals, growing side by side and one on t o p of the other, form a reef. Coral polyps. Corals are very particular about where they build reefs. Like the offshore seas of Biscayne, the water must be the right temperature (no lower than ©JOHN BROOKS tons at night to feed, catching drifting plankton in their outstretched tentacles. These primitive, unas- Undersea Metropolis Reefs are the cities of the sea. In and around t h e m lives a huge, diverse population of fish and other marine creatures. Every hole, every crack is a home for something. Some inhabitants, such as the Christmas tree worm, live anchored to the coral. There is food to satisfy all tastes. Fish and flamingo tongues (snail-like mollusks) eat coral. Fish are f o o d for other fish and, quite often, for seafood gourmets. Vase sponge in a bed of seagrass. ©JOHN BROOKS 68°F), the right depth (no deeper than 200 feet), and be clean and well-lit. Such conditions exist all along the Flori- da Keys in and south of Biscayne and in the Caribbean, and in other tropical oceans. Sailing on Biscayne Bay NPyCOURTESY KODAK. PHOTO ©NEIL MONTANUS Tropical Paradise Gumbo limbo. Jamaican dogwood. Strangler fig. Devil's-potato. Satinleaf. Torchwood. Mahogany. Only tiny pockets in South Florida contain this mixture of tropical trees and shrubs common in the West Indies. North-flowing air, ocean currents, and storms delivered the pioneer seeds and plants that eventually grew into the islands' lush, jungle-like forests. Brown pelican NPS Walking along a trail in these hardwood hammocks, you may see other tropical natives. Zebra longwing butterflies and endangered Schaus swallowtails find refuge in the tangle of leaves and vines. Golden orb weavers betray their presence w i t h large yellow spider webs. Birds and a f e w mammals share these isolated, mangrove-fringed keys. American Indians to Millionaires Over the years the keys attracted people willing to risk the chance of a hurricane and the certainty of pesky bugs. American Indians were first. Tree-cutters from the Bahamas came later and felled massive mahoganies for ships. Early settlers on Elliott Key cleared forests and planted key limes and pineapples. Subtropical forests throughout the keys were destroyed. Biscayne preserves some of the finest left today. The islands abound with legends of pirates and buried treasure. Shipwrecks, victims of high seas, and treacherous reefs lie offshore. Fortune hunters, bootleggers, artists, gamblers, millionaires, and four United States Presidents have spent time on the keys of Biscayne. Snorkelers view elkhorn coral. Brain coral and Christmas tree worm ©JOHN BROOKS Tunicate ©JOHN BROOKS ©JOHN BROOKS Fishes of the Reef "In variety, in brilliance of color, in elegance of movement, the fishes may well compare with the most beautiful assemblage of birds in tropical climates," Louis Agassiz, 19th-century French naturalist, wrote after visiting the Florida reefs. Reefs host the world's most spectacular fish. Along Biscayne's reefs are more than 200 types of fish. Some are impressive in size, others in color. Some seem grotesque, others dangerous—or are they? Many behave in bizarre, unexplainable ways, at least to humans. Few places on Earth match the diversity of life in the reefs' underwater wilderness. A Sea of Color Imagine the most colorful scene you have ever seen—a field of wildflowers, glittering lights of a city at night, a desert sunset. Whatever it is, the dazzling spectrum displayed by reef fish will equal or surpass it. The range extends from the flamboyant— angelfish, wrasses, par- rotfish, and neon gobies—to fish that seem drab and ordinary. There is much speculation about what role the colors play. The answer differs for each fish. An eye-grabbing wardrobe may serve as a kind of billboard, advertising a fish's presence. Vividly colored wrasses attract other fish in this way so they can clean them of parasites and dead tissue, getting a meal in return. Multicolored bars, stripes, and splotches blur the outline of other fish, making it difficult for predators t o see them against the reef's complex background. Some fish are masters of disguise. Many turn different colors at night, presumably t o hide from nocturnal predators. The camouflaged moray eel biends in w i t h its surroundings. Unsuspecting fish that swim too close often get caught between the eel's powerful jaws and needle-sharp teeth. Trumpetfish Queen angelfish Foureye butterflyfish Parrotfish ©JOHN BROOKS ©JOHN BROOKS ©JOHN BROOKS ©STEVE SIMONSEN A Montage of Motion Morays are sedentary creatures, but most fish swim freely about the reefs. Some, such as the solitary angelfish, move w i t h deliberate grace. Others dart about in schools of thousands, moving w i t h the precision of choreographed dancers. Each closeknit group offers protection to its members. Reef fish are noted for their eccentric behavior. One is the sharp-beaked parrotfish. It can be seen, and even heard, munching on coral. Odd meal for a fish? Not really. Along w i t h rock, the parrotfish is devouring algae and coral polyps. Southern stingray ©JOHN BROOKS Exploring Biscayne General Information On the Mainland Convoy Point Park h e a d q u a r t e r s a n d D a n t e Fascell A c c o m m o d a t i o n s a n d Services V i s i t o r C e n t e r are a t C o n v o y P o i n t . T h e visitor c e n t e r M i a m i , a n d t h e F l o r i d a Keys h a v e h o t e l s a n d has e x h i b i t s , t h e a t e r / g a l l e r y , a b o o k s t o r e , a n d s c h e d - motels; reservations are r e c o m m e n d e d . They Homestead, Climate Biscayne has w a r m , w e t Getting to the Park summers d e s i g n a t e d g r i l l s . • Be c a r e f u l w a d i n g ; c o r a l r o c k The main north-south (May t h r o u g h October) and mild, dry winters is s h a r p . • T h e r e a r e n o l i f e g u a r d s ; d o n o t s w i m highways approaching ( N o v e m b e r t h r o u g h April). Expect sunshine a n d alone. Biscayne are Florida's • M o s q u i t o e s a n d b i t i n g insects a r e h e r e ules o f activities. C o n v o y P o i n t has a picnic area w i t h also h a v e restaurants, service stations, groceries, high humidity year-round. High temperatures y e a r - r o u n d b u t a r e f e w e s t J a n u a r y t o A p r i l . Use T u r n p i k e a n d U.S.1. t a b l e s , f i r e grills, r e s t r o o m s , a n d a s h o r t t r a i l w i t h a n d o t h e r stores. N e a r b y public marinas have a v e r a g e i n t h e h i g h 8 0 s t o l o w 90s°F i n s u m m e r i n s e c t r e p e l l e n t . If c a m p i n g , b e s u r e y o u r t e n t The most direct route v i e w s o f birds a n d m a r i n e l i f e . Call 305-230-7275. boat launch ramps and fuel, and o f t e n charter a n d m i d - 7 0 s t o l o w 80s°F i n w i n t e r . A n n u a l r a i n - has b u g p r o o f n e t t i n g . t o C o n v o y P o i n t is v i a o r r e n t sail a n d m o t o r b o a t s (see map f a l l f l u c t u a t e s , b u t 8 5 i n c h e s o r m o r e is c o m - screen. below). • E m e r g e n c i e s call 9 1 1 Camping There are no c a m p g r o u n d s o n the n o o n t h u n d e r s t o r m s . S u m m e r a n d fall are seasons f o r h u r r i c a n e s a n d t r o p i c a l s t o r m s . SW 328th Street, w h i c h i n t e r s e c t s w i t h U.S.1 i n m o n . M o s t rain falls in s u m m e r in b r i e f a f t e r - B o a t Tours A c o n c e s s i o n e r o f f e r s g l a s s - b o t t o m b o a t tours, s n o r k e l i n g a n d scuba d i v i n g trips t o t h e • Wear w a t e r p r o o f sun- Homestead. Driving For M o r e I n f o r m a t i o n south on the turnpike, reefs, a n d occasional island excursions f o r picnick- p a r k ' s m a i n l a n d . See " O n t h e K e y s " ing a n d h i k i n g . All t o u r s leave f r o m C o n v o y Point. right) T h e concessioner rents s n o r k e l i n g a n d scuba e q u i p - these campsites are reached only by boat. Safety and Regulations m e n t , k a y a k s , a n d c a n o e s . For i n f o r m a t i o n a n d Nearby private mainland campgrounds and trail- a n d historical preserve-—do n o t disturb or r e m o v e 305-230-7275 (SW 137th A v e n u e ) , reservations contact: e r p a r k s i n H o m e s t e a d , F l o r i d a City, a n d S o u t h natural or historical objects. www.nps.gov/bisc/ t h e n f o l l o w signs. The (below f o r i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t island c a m p i n g ; Biscayne N a t i o n a l Park y o u can reach SW 9700 SW 328th Street • T h e p a r k is a w i l d l i f e • Loaded firearms, 3 2 8 t h Street by t a k i n g H o m e s t e a d , FL 3 3 0 3 3 - 5 6 3 4 S p e e d w a y Blvd. south Biscayne N a t i o n a l U n d e r w a t e r Park M i a m i h a v e spaces f o r t e n t s , m o b i l e h o m e s , a n d explosives, a n d o t h e r w e a p o n s are p r o h i b i t e d . 9710 SW 328th Street trailers. Everglades N a t i o n a l Park, J o h n P e n n e - • P e t s m u s t b e o n a l e a s h n o l o n g e r t h a n six Informacion en Espahol H o m e s t e a d , FL 3 3 0 3 3 k a m p Coral Reef State Park, a n d o t h e r area f e e t a n d are restricted t o certain areas o f t h e r e q u i r e n m a r c a r el c o d i c o d e a r e a (305) m a s el See m a p f o r 305-230-1100 parks have c a m p g r o u n d s , o p e n year-round. park. 230-7275. launches. • Fires a r e a l l o w e d o n l y i n c a m p s t o v e s o r r e s t o f t h e p a r k is Las l l a m a d a s l o c a l e s accessible o n l y by b o a t . boat D o N o t Use This M a p For N a v i g a t i o n For safe boating. National Ocean Survey charts are indispensable. Use chart 11451 (purchase at visitor center) or charts 11462, 11463, and 11465. Biscayne National Park is o n e o f m o r e t h a n 380 parks in t h e N a t i o n a l Park System. The National Park Service cares f o r these special places so t h a t all m a y experience o u r h e r i t a g e . To learn m o r e a b o u t n a t i o n a l parks visit w w w . n p s . g o v . M a p Key t o Facilities fWi Ranger station pajj Boat launch Self-guiding trail Km Restrooms •J*!! Gas dock Primitive campground CSsr) Picnic area n Popular anchorage Marina M a p Key t o W a t e r Features a n d L a n d m a r k s Water Depths ""| 0-6 feet ~"| 6-12 feet I I (0-1.8 meters) I 1 (1.8-3.6 meters) I Shallows and Reefs n Shoal or spoil area I Coral reefs also lie deeper below water surface. I I 77 FT I Coral reef near I water surface Channel Markers (entering from seaward) 7 | Red starboard ~*r I Starboard buoy I I daymarker I—FT 1 (even numbered) ~j j Green port daymarker I Tir I P o r t buoy L_ 1 (odd numbered) I—— 1 Other Aids and Landmarks "i I Light 7 I Danger Shoal Light color: R Red G Green ' 77jc — I Wreck ' W White Y Yellow i I 7757 i Mooring buoy I ~] Over 12 feet 1 (Over 3.6 meters) J-r I—FT I Other buoy 1 Q I Daymarker 1 A I Lighthouse a I Tower ' I ' B o a t i n g Markers a n d Flags Know these common buoys, signs, and flags. They are essential to safe navigation. Channel Markers (entering from seaward) Port (odd numbered) A Starboard (even num- • Lights flash green ihuV bered) Lights flash red | ? j | Diver's Flag ^ ^ Regulatory Markers i , Keep out Storm Warning Flags For up-to-date weather forecasts, phone (305) 229-4522 or monitor marine radio reports on VHF channels 1, 2, or 3. Channel 16 broadcasts special weather warnings. Danger Speed Limit (No wake-5mph) Small craft advisory (20-38 mph winds) Gale (39-54 mph winds) Storm or whole gale (55-73 mph winds) Hurricane (74 mph winds or higher) Rules a n d Safety Tips Caution: navigating t h e s h a l l o w w a t e r s o f Biscayne can be tricky. W a t e r depths on nautical charts r e p r e s e n t t h e average d e p t h at l o w t i d e — levels m a y b e l o w e r o r h i g h e r . In Biscayne Bay l o w a n d h i g h t i d e s occur later t h a n t h e t i m e s listed in t h e t i d e t a b l e s f o r Miami harbor entrance. In t h e s o u t h e r n p a r t o f t h e bay, l o w t i d e occurs as m u c h as 3'A h o u r s l a t e r a n d h i g h t i d e as m u c h as 2]i h o u r s later. Safety A f l o a t Stay a l e r t ! W a t c h w e a t h e r closely. Storms m o v e quickly, b r i n g i n g r o u g h seas a n d the danger of lightning. Monitor marine weather r a d i o broadcasts. If a s t o r m breaks seek t h e n e a r e s t safe h a r b o r . Presailing Checklist Y o u m u s t t a k e this g e a r w h e n b o a t i n g : U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal f l o t a t i o n device (PFD) f o r each passenger, f i r e e x t i n guisher, a n d s i g n a l i n g e q u i p m e n t . Take e n o u g h f u e l f o r a r o u n d t r i p . Tell s o m e o n e w h e r e y o u are going and when you expect t o return. Before l e a v i n g shore, check w e a t h e r forecasts, sea conditions, a n d tides. • Look out for manatees; p r o p e l l e r s cause i n j u r y a n d d e a t h t o these endangered mammals. On the Water T h e Florida Straits a n d Biscayne Bay o f f e r g r e a t year-round recreation. Y o u can e n j o y s a l t w a t e r f i s h i n g in all seasons. M a r l i n a n d sailfish a r e p o p u l a r catches in t h e ocean. Snapper a n d g r o u p e r are c a u g h t in t h e bay; Florida f i s h i n g licenses r e q u i r e d . Y o u m u s t o b e y r e g u l a t i o n s o n size, n u m b e r , season, a n d m e t h o d o f t a k e . Y o u can t a k e s t o n e crabs in season a n d b l u e crabs yearr o u n d . Lobsters a r e p r o t e c t e d in t h e b a y a n d t i d a l creeks b u t m a y be taken on t h e seaward side o f t h e keys in lobster season. W a t e r s k i i n g is a l lowed; avoid m o o r i n g sites a n d w a t c h f o r s w i m mers a n d divers. Closed A r e a — L e g a r e Anchorage No stopping, s w i m m i n g , diving, or s n o r k e l i n g is a l l o w e d . U n d e r w a t e r v i e w i n g devices, such as cameras a n d glass b o t t o m buckets, a r e p r o hibited. Do not anchor vessels. D r i f t f i s h i n g a n d t r o l l i n g are a l l o w e d . Caution S h a l l o w W a t e r • Use c a u t i o n if b o a t i n g n e a r s h a l l o w areas o r reefs. S t r i k i n g t h e b o t t o m w i t h y o u r p r o p e l l e r can k i l l corals o r grassbeds and may damage your propeller or engine cooli n g system o r h u l l . • Watch for swimmers a n d divers n e a r m o o r e d b o a t s o r in a n area w h e r e t h e y m i g h t be expected. Stay 300 f e e t a w a y f r o m a diver's f l a g . If y o u leave your boat t o swim, a n c h o r it securely. D o n ' t let c u r r e n t s , w h i c h a r e strongest o n t h e outer reefs a n d i n cuts b e t w e e n t h e keys, carry y o u o r your boat away. On the Keys T h e keys can b e r e a c h e d o n l y by b o a t . D e v e l o p e d r e c r e a t i o n areas a n d services are l i m i t e d t o a f e w islands. B o a t f u e l , s u p plies, a n d f o o d a r e n o t sold o n any island, b u t t h e y are available a t m a i n l a n d marinas. Only E l l i o t t Key has d r i n k i n g water. Elliott K e y B o a t d o c k s are l o c a t e d a t E l l i o t t Key H a r b o r a n d a t University Dock. A c a m p g r o u n d w i t h picnic t a b l e s a n d grills o p e r a t e s o n a f i r s t c o m e , f i r s t - s e r v e d basis. D r i n k i n g w a t e r , restr o o m s , a n d s h o w e r s are nearby. P o p u l a r o v e r n i g h t a n c h o r a g e sites are o f f s h o r e . T h e island has a self-guiding nature trail. A d a m s Key A f r e e b o a t d o c k , a picnic a r e a , restrooms, a n d a trail are a v a i l a b l e f o r d a y use. Boca Chita Key A c l e a t e d s e a w a l l , picnic a r e a , h i k ing trail, a n d restrooms are available. A campg r o u n d w i t h grills a n d tables operates o n a firstc o m e , first-served basis. A n ornamental lighth o u s e is o p e n i n t e r m i t tently. Sands Key O v e r n i g h t a n c h o r a g e sites a r e located offshore. Rules a n d Safety Tips T h e e n t i r e p a r k is a w i l d life r e f u g e . D O N O T FEED WILDLIFE. Raccoons b e c o m e pests w h e n h u m a n s feed t h e m . Arsenicker Keys a r e p a r t i c u l a r l y i m p o r t a n t as a b i r d nest- ing area; d o n o t disturb t h e s e keys. W e s t Arsenicker Key, A r s e n i c k e r Key, a n d t h e islands in Sandw i c h Cove a r e closed t o t h e p u b l i c . Pack o u t all t r a s h o n t h e keys. S o m e p r i v a t e p r o p e r t y still exists o n t h e keys; please respect o w n e r s ' rights. A f e w t r o p i c a l p l a n t s can cause p a i n f u l i t c h i n g ; d o n o t t o u c h any plants t h a t y o u d o n ' t r e c o g n i z e as harmless. Fees T h e r e is a $15 per night overnight dockage f e e a t Boca Chita Key a n d E l l i o t t Key h a r b o r s , w h i c h includes a $10 c a m p i n g f e e . G r o u p campsites a r e $25. Pets L e a s h e d p e t s a r e p e r m i t t e d o n l y in t h e d e v e l o p e d areas o f E l l i o t t Key a n d C o n v o y P o i n t . On the Reefs Reef e x p l o r i n g is best o n c a l m , s u n n y days. B o t h t h e o u t e r reefs, a l o n g t h e park's e a s t e r n b o u n d a r y , a n d t h e p a t c h reefs, closer t o shore, o f f e r g o o d snorkeling and diving. S t r o n g c u r r e n t s can occur o n t h e o u t e r reefs. Unless y o u are experienced, w e r e c o m m e n d t h a t y o u stay o n c a l m e r p a t c h reefs. Reef g u i d e b o o k s a r e sold a t D a n t e Fascell V i s i t o r Center. M o o r i n g b u o y s are available o n some o f t h e p a t c h reefs. Check w i t h a ranger for buoy locations a n d f o r information. Protecting Yourself a n d Safety Tips Use c a u t i o n w h e n y o u visit t h e reefs. A l l s n o r k e l e r s a n d divers m u s t display t h e s t a n d a r d diver's f l a g t o w a r n b o a t ers o f t h e i r presence. Be aware of o t h e r boats in y o u r area; propellers have injured divers. Never s w i m a l o n e — always have another p e r s o n stay o n b o a r d . Reef a n i m a l s g e n e r a l l y w i l l n o t h a r m y o u if y o u leave t h e m a l o n e . It is g o o d practice n o t t o t o u c h a n y t h i n g , e v e n if it looks harmless. Coral can cause d e e p , s l o w - h e a l i n g cuts. A t t a c k s by b a r r a c u d a o r sharks rarely occur, b u t b o t h are c o n s i d e r e d dangerous a n d should be w a t c h e d carefully. Ask a ranger a b o u t hazards before you venture out. Protecting t h e Reef A coral reef is a l i v e . If y o u r b o a t hits a reef, it w i l l d a m a g e y o u r b o a t , scar t h e reef, a n d kill coral a n i m a l s . Y o u are subject t o a fine and may be l i a b l e f o r t h e cost o f restoring t h e damaged resource. W a t c h f o r coral heads n e a r t h e surface if b o a t i n g n e a r p a t c h reefs. A n c h o r s can d a m a g e reefs; a n c h o r in a sandy b o t t o m o r use a m o o r i n g buoy. Standing or sitting o n coral o r g r a s p i n g it can cause injury. D o n o t d i s t u r b reef i n h a b i t a n t s . Resist t h e t e m p t a t i o n t o take home a souvenir— t h i s is i l l e g a l a n d d i m i n ishes t h e b e a u t y o f t h e reef. C u l t u r a l a r t i f a c t s a r e also p r o t e c t e d ; d o n o t remove t h e m .