buoyaCruising GuideGet the app
National park dock

Elliott Key

An island harbor in Biscayne National Park with 33 boat slips, water and cold showers: $60 a night to dock and camp, and about 2½ feet at low tide.

Biscayne National ParkLast checked 21 Oct 2026
Open in buoya
Boat slips in the harbor
33
Overnight camping and docking
$60 per night
Day use docking
$25, Friday – Monday and federal holidays
Harbor at low tide
approximately 2½ feet

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

Elliott Key is one of the two island harbors in Biscayne National Park where a boat can tie up and a crew can camp, and the park counts 33 boat slips here. Slips and campsites are first come, first served, and reservations are not accepted. Overnight camping and docking is $60 per night, including up to two tents and six people; day use docking is $25, Friday to Monday and federal holidays.

Getting in

The park gives Elliott Key harbor as approximately 2½ feet at low tide. That is the park's own figure, and the only one it publishes. Swimming is not permitted in boat harbors.

Water, and what to bring anyway

Drinking water is available here, and the park's own advice is to bring water as a precaution if the system goes down. There are restrooms with sinks and cold water showers, and picnic tables and grills.

Paying

Fees must be paid through the recreation.gov app, and scanable QR codes are at the harbor kiosks on both islands. Fees are due daily upon arrival or no later than official sunset.

Facilities

  • Drinking wateravailable, but bring water as a precaution if the system goes down
  • Restroomswith sinks and cold water showers
  • Picnic tables and grillsavailable

Good to know

  • Slips: the park counts 33.
  • First come, first served: slips and campsites both, with no reservations taken.
  • Water: available, but bring water as a precaution if the system goes down.
  • Showers: cold water, in the restrooms.
  • Day use: $25, Friday to Monday and federal holidays.

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 and are due daily upon arrival or no later than official sunset.
  • Swimming Not permitted in boat harbors.

Questions

How many slips are there at Elliott Key?

The park counts 33 boat slips. They are first come, first served, and reservations are not accepted.

How deep is Elliott Key harbor?

The park gives approximately 2½ feet at low tide. Depths change; check the current chart.

What does a night at Elliott Key cost?

$60 per night for overnight camping and docking, including up to two tents and six people, paid through the recreation.gov app. Day use docking is $25, Friday to Monday and federal holidays.

Is there drinking water on Elliott Key?

Yes, and the restrooms have sinks and cold water showers. The park still advises bringing water as a precaution if the system goes down.

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.