Elliott Key Day Trip

Elliott Key is the secret weapon of our voyage catalog. Twenty-five miles south of Miami inside Biscayne National Park, Elliott is a long narrow island with deserted coves on the bay side and reef snorkeling on the ocean side. You almost never see another boat. The water gets bluer the farther south you go. The morning starts with the run south. Captain transitions to park speed once you cross the boundary. First anchor is Boca Chita Key, where you climb the 1937 ornamental lighthouse for a panoramic view of the entire upper Keys chain. From the top you can see Cape Florida to the north and Caesar Creek to the south. Reposition to Elliott Key for lunch in a secluded cove, then snorkel Caesar Creek and the surrounding patch reefs. Visibility is regularly 30 to 50 feet, the coral is alive and protected, and the fish life is dense in a way the bay simply does not offer. Bring an underwater camera or rent one through the photographer add-on. This is the right voyage for guests who want quiet, blue water, and a sense of being somewhere remote without leaving Florida. Pair with chef service onboard for a proper lunch. The full-day format is required, the southbound transit is too long for a half-day window to make sense.

Destinations

• Elliott Key
• Boca Chita Key
• Caesar Creek snorkel spots

Itinerary

1. 09:00 AMDepart marina southbound.
2. 10:00 AMCruise into Biscayne National Park. Captain transitions to slow speed in the park boundary.
3. 10:30 AMFirst anchor at Boca Chita Key. Climb the historic lighthouse for an aerial view.
4. 12:30 PMReposition to Elliott Key. Lunch anchor in a secluded cove.
5. 01:30 PMSnorkeling at Caesar Creek and the surrounding patch reefs.
6. 03:30 PMSlow swim time. Paddleboards out.
7. 04:30 PMCast off, cruise north along the Biscayne Bay shoreline.
8. 05:00 PMReturn to marina.

Eligible Vessels

Pricing

Full-day 8-hour charter. Standard hourly tier scaling, plus a small fuel surcharge for the southbound run into Biscayne National Park (~$300 to $500 depending on vessel).

Recommended Add-Ons

Frequently Asked

• Where exactly is Elliott Key?

  About 25 miles south of Miami, inside Biscayne National Park. It is a long narrow island with secluded coves on its bay side and reef snorkeling on its ocean side.

• Is it worth the run?

  Yes if you want the remote, quiet, blue-water version of a Miami charter. The farther south you go in Biscayne Bay the clearer the water gets.

• Are there facilities on the island?

  Limited. National Park Service operates a small dock at Elliott Key with restrooms but no food or fresh water for purchase.

• Is the snorkeling good?

  Yes. Caesar Creek and the surrounding patch reefs are protected park waters with healthy coral and abundant fish. Bring underwater cameras.

• Can we land on the beach?

  Yes. The Boca Chita harbor and Elliott Key dock both allow landing. Captain handles tender drops if you want to walk the shoreline.

• Can this be done as a half-day instead?

  Not really. The southbound transit eats most of a 4-hour window. Full-day is the right format for this voyage.

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