Key Biscayne & Virginia Key

Key Biscayne is a small, quiet island village southeast of downtown Miami, reached by the Rickenbacker Causeway from Brickell, with two large beach parks, a historic lighthouse and some of the calmest swimming water in the Miami area. It is well worth a day trip, especially for families, cyclists and anyone who wants a natural beach with a skyline view instead of a party scene.

What is Key Biscayne, and how is it different from Virginia Key?

Key Biscayne is a barrier island a few miles across Biscayne Bay from Brickell, home to the Village of Key Biscayne in the middle and large parks at both ends. Virginia Key is the smaller, mostly undeveloped island you cross first on the causeway, with beaches, trails and research campuses but very few homes.

Both make a good half or full day out. Virginia Key is better for paddling, mountain biking and history, while Key Biscayne has the longer swimming beaches and the lighthouse.

How do you get to Key Biscayne?

The only road in is the Rickenbacker Causeway, which starts off Brickell Avenue near the I-95 ramps. From Brickell, the drive to Crandon Park usually takes 15 to 25 minutes, longer on sunny weekends when beach traffic backs up.

• Causeway toll: $3.25 with SunPass or $6.50 with Toll-by-Plate, rates in effect since October 1, 2025. If you rent a car, check how your rental company bills tolls; our car rental guide explains the options.
• Bus: Metrobus Route 26 runs from Brickell station over the causeway and through the village. The fare is $2.25 until December 31, 2026 and $2.75 from January 1, 2027.
• Bike: The causeway is a popular cycling route with painted and protected lanes, but it is exposed, hot and busy with fast riders.

What are the best things to do on Key Biscayne?

The best things to do are swimming at Crandon Park, exploring Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park and its lighthouse, and stopping at Virginia Key's beaches and trails on the way. Plan on beach time first; there are no big attractions to queue for. Our Key Biscayne beaches guide compares each stretch of sand.

Crandon Park

Crandon Park is a county park with a two-mile beach where an offshore sandbar keeps the water shallow and calm, which makes it a favorite with families. Parking is $7 plus tax Monday to Thursday and $10 plus tax Friday to Sunday, according to Miami-Dade Parks, with just under 3,000 spaces.

Beyond the beach, Crandon has picnic shelters, cabana rentals, a golf course, a marina, a 27-court tennis center and a Visitor and Nature Center (open daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) with a mangrove boardwalk and seagrass exhibits.

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

At the island's southern tip, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park has a quieter beach, sea grape shade, trails and bike paths. Entry is $8 per vehicle, and the park opens at 8 a.m. and closes at sundown every day.

The Cape Florida Lighthouse, built in 1825, is the oldest standing structure in Miami-Dade County. Normally, guided climbs of its 109 steps run at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. five days a week (not Tuesday or Wednesday). When we checked in October 2026, the state parks site listed the lighthouse as temporarily closed for renovations, so confirm before you plan around a climb. The park's fishing piers are also closed for repairs.

Virginia Key

Historic Virginia Key Beach Park opened in 1945 as the beach for Black residents during segregation and is now a county park with a quiet shoreline and history markers. Along the causeway, Hobie Beach is a shallow, breezy spot popular for windsurfing and paddleboarding, and our kayaking and paddleboarding guide lists rental options.

The graffiti-covered Miami Marine Stadium, a 1963 concrete grandstand closed since Hurricane Andrew, is visible from the basin road. Note that the Miami Seaquarium closed permanently on October 12, 2025, so it is no longer a stop.

Where should you eat on Key Biscayne?

Food options are limited compared with the mainland, so many visitors bring a picnic. A few reliable choices:

• Rusty Pelican on Virginia Key, a large waterfront restaurant known for its skyline view, best for sunset drinks or brunch. Reserve on weekends.
• Lightkeepers at The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, an upscale seafood restaurant facing the ocean.
• Lighthouse Café inside Bill Baggs, a casual counter for sandwiches and drinks near the beach.

The village center along Crandon Boulevard also has cafes, bakeries and a supermarket for beach supplies.

Where should you stay on Key Biscayne?

Key Biscayne has only a handful of hotels, led by The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, plus vacation rentals in the village. It suits travelers who want a calm resort base and do not mind the causeway drive into the city each day. See current options in our Key Biscayne hotels list.

Practical tips for a Key Biscayne day trip

• On busy weekends and holidays, Bill Baggs closes its gate once it reaches capacity and stays closed for at least two hours. Arrive by mid-morning.
• Swim only when lifeguards are on duty at Crandon, and watch the flags.
• Shade is limited on the open beaches. Bring an umbrella, water and reef-safe sunscreen.
• Budget for the toll plus park fees: a car visiting Crandon on a Saturday pays the causeway toll plus $10 plus tax to park.

When is the best time to visit Key Biscayne?

November through April brings the most comfortable weather, lower humidity and fewer storms. Summer water is warm and usually calm, but afternoons are hot with frequent thunderstorms, and hurricane season runs June through November. Weekday mornings are the quietest time year-round.

Key Biscayne quick facts