Quick Stats
Creation Date
June 28, 1980
Time Zone
Eastern (GMT-4 Daylight, GMT-5 Standard)
Lowest Elevation
0 feet at Atlantic Ocean
Highest Elevation
9 feet on Totten Key
Lowest Average Temp
63°F in January
Record Low Temp
32°F in multiple years
Highest Average Temp
87°F in July
Record High Temp
98°F in multiple years
Our Last Visit
December 2007
Park Creation Timeline
1968
On October 18, 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the bill creating Biscayne National Monument.
1980
On June 28, 1980, legislation is passed redesignating the monument a national park.
Animals and Plants

Since almost all of the park is underwater, it is focused on marine species. Bottlenose dolphins and a number of whale species inhabit the waters, along with the endangered West Indian manatee.

Reptile species include both American alligators and crocodiles, leatherback and loggerhead sea turtles, along with several land-dwelling snakes and turtles.

A large variety of birds can be found in the small land portion of the park and along the coastline. One of note is the brown pelican, which is quite common in the park but endangered elsewhere.

Underwater plants include sea grasses and algaes. Above water, mangroves, palms, and even rare cacti are found.