Here’s a Saturday morning plan unlike any other: a sunrise cruise past three historic lighthouses, with dolphins and sea turtles along the way.
On Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 6:30 to 10:30 AM, Deering Estate’s Lighthouse Cruise sets sail from 16701 SW 72nd Avenue in Palmetto Bay. The four-hour journey aboard a 45-foot Corinthian catamaran is led by a Biscayne National Park Ranger, who narrates the voyage past some of South Florida’s most storied landmarks.
The route passes the Cape Florida Lighthouse on Key Biscayne, the Fowey Rocks Lighthouse, and the Boca Chita Lighthouse — where passengers can climb to the top for sweeping views of Biscayne Bay. The cruise also glides past Stiltsville, the famous cluster of stilt houses rising from the bay, with chances to spot dolphins, sea turtles, and shore birds throughout.
Tickets are $90 plus tax and fees, and advance reservations are required. The price includes same-day admission to the Deering Estate grounds, so you can explore the historic houses and bayfront trails after docking.
The cruise is a partnership between Biscayne National Park, the Florida National Parks Association, the Deering Estate, and Miami-Dade County Parks — a true community effort to share the natural beauty of the bay.
Photo: Deering Estate
