buoyaCruising GuideGet the app
National park dock

Boca Chita Key

An island harbor in Biscayne National Park: $60 a night to dock and camp, $25 for the day, and about four feet in the entrance at low tide.

Biscayne National ParkLast checked 21 Oct 2026
Open in buoya
Overnight camping and docking
$60 per night
Day use docking
$25, Friday – Monday and federal holidays
Harbor entrance at low tide
approximately four feet
Reservations
not accepted

Depths come from operators, the Coast Pilot, cruiser reports or a seabed model. This is not a nautical chart and does not tell you whether you will get through – use official charts and Local Notices to Mariners.

Overview

Boca Chita Key is one of the two island harbors in Biscayne National Park where a boat can tie up and a crew can camp. Docking slips and campsites are first come, first served, and reservations are not accepted. Overnight camping and docking is $60 per night, which includes the use of up to two tents and six people; day use docking is $25, Friday to Monday and federal holidays.

Getting in

The park gives the harbor entrance at low tide as approximately four feet. That is the park's own figure for the entrance, and the only one it publishes.

Paying

Fees must be paid through the recreation.gov app, and the app must be downloaded prior to arrival at the location. Scanable QR codes for day use docking and for overnight camping and docking are at the harbor kiosks on both islands. Fees are due daily upon arrival or no later than official sunset.

What is not here

Toilets are available. There are no showers, no sinks and no drinking water on the island, so everything a crew drinks comes aboard with it. Swimming is not permitted in boat harbors, and on Boca Chita Key fishing is allowed but not in the harbor, the creek or the western bulkhead area.

Facilities

  • Toiletsavailable
  • Showers and sinksnone
  • Drinking waternone

Good to know

  • What $60 covers: the night at the dock and the campsite, with up to two tents and six people.
  • Day use: $25, Friday to Monday and federal holidays.
  • QR codes: at the harbor kiosks on both islands.
  • No water: no drinking water, no sinks and no showers; toilets are available.

Rules that apply here

  • Reservations Docking slips and campsites are first come, first served, and reservations are not accepted.
  • Paying Fees must be paid through the recreation.gov app, which has to be downloaded before arrival, and are due daily upon arrival or no later than official sunset.
  • Swimming Not permitted in boat harbors.
  • Fishing Allowed on Boca Chita Key, but not in the harbor, the creek or the western bulkhead area.

Questions

Can I reserve a slip at Boca Chita Key?

No. Docking slips and campsites are first come, first served, and the park does not accept reservations.

What does a night at Boca Chita Key cost?

$60 per night for overnight camping and docking, which includes up to two tents and six people. Day use docking is $25, Friday to Monday and federal holidays.

How deep is the entrance to Boca Chita Key harbor?

The park gives approximately four feet at low tide. Depths change; check the current chart.

How do I pay the fee?

Through the recreation.gov app, which must be downloaded prior to arrival at the location. QR codes are at the harbor kiosks on both islands, and fees are due daily upon arrival or no later than official sunset.

Is there water or a shower on Boca Chita Key?

No. Toilets are available, but there are no showers, no sinks and no drinking water.

Sources & checks

Written by buoya editorial from the sources above. Every figure was checked against its source on 21 Oct 2026. Found something wrong? Report a correction.