Biscayne National Park Jones Lagoon

When visiting Biscayne National Park Jones Lagoon looked like a good trip for the family. Some fun paddling and seeing some wildlife in nature. Read below to see the details of our trip and be sure to check out the Southeast Region for more ideas on where to visit.

*Last updated January 12, 2025

 

Biscayne National Park Jones Lagoon Tour

Table of Contents

  1. Biscayne National Park
  2. Dante Fascell Visitor Center
  3. Jones Lagoon Eco-Adventure Tour
  4. Kayaking vs Paddle boarding
  5. Paddling Through the Mangroves of Jones Lagoon
  6. Jones Lagoon Wildlife
  7. Biscayne Route to Jones Lagoon
  8. Other Biscayne Tours
  9. Conclusion

Biscayne National Park

Biscayne National Park is sometimes referred to as the “Underwater Park” as 95% of the park is water. A private company, Biscayne National Park Institute, operates through Biscayne National Park to offer numerous tours, including snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding and historic tours.

We chose the Jones Lagoon Eco-Adventure Tour since I didn’t think my youngest daughter (7) was quite up for snorkeling yet. However, they have combo tours iif you are interested in both snorkeling and paddling.

Additionally, be sure to leave time before or after your tour to see the area around the dock and visit Dante Fascell Visitor Center.

Dante Fascell Visitor Center

Dante Fascell Visitor Center is a great stop before or after your tour to get your passport book stamped, become a Jr Ranger and see the details of the park including some aquariums in the visitor center.

Also, directly next door to the visitor center is the office for the Biscayne National Park Institute, which is where you can check in for your tour. Be sure to hit the bathroom, apply sunscreen and fill up your water before heading out.

Jones Lagoon Eco-Adventure Tour

The boat route out to Jones Lagoon is a pleasant one. On the ride out, you’ll idle about 10 minutes through a no-wake zone with views of Dante Fascell behind you and the outline of Miami to the north.

However, the kids are sure to enjoy the wind in their hair once the boat can pick up speed. You’ll be to Jones Lagoon after about 30 minutes where your guide will get the boats ready.

The Jones Lagoon Eco-Adventure Tours only take 6 people, so you can join a tour. Be aware that the age limit for group tours is 12 and up. However, if you have younger children like we do, you can book a private tour. It really didn’t cost too much more since we had 5 people. Younger children will use a double/tandem kayak with an adult.

Kayaking vs Paddle boarding

The Jones Lagoon group tour is ages 12 and up and is set up to use paddle boards. However, you can request a double kayak if preferred. Additionally, you can bring children as young as 7 if you book a private tour (priced for 6 person) and have them in a 2 person tandem kayak.

How to decide between paddle boarding or kayaking? Paddle boarding has a lower profile to see into the water, you actually sit on the paddle board the majority of the trip, though you have the ability to stand up in open water. Plus, the paddle board just feels a little more free and adventurous. The kayak is a little harder to see into the water (but I didn’t think it was a problem) and it gives more back support for someone needing it. Either way, I don’t think you can go wrong.

Paddling through the mangroves of Jones Lagoon

The majority of the Jones Lagoon Eco-Tour is paddling through mangrove tunnels. I thought is was a really a fun experience. However, I know that my wife struggled a little navigating her kayak and paddle through the narrow openings. I don’t think it is a problem for someone with paddling experience.

According to our guide, the currents change primarily due to the moon phase. If the moon is full or new, the currents are stronger. If the moon phase is at a quarter phase, the currents are weaker. Our tour was right around the new moon phase, so he said the currents were stronger. The tour was set to paddle against the current for the first half, so that you are cruising back with the current for the second half return.

Also, the return had a bit more open water compared to paddling the mangroves.

Jones Lagoon Wildlife

When I looked into the Jones Lagoon tour, the thing that stuck out was all of the wildlife options you might see. However, wildlife encounters are rarely guaranteed and sometimes it comes down to luck.

On our tour we saw some fish, snails, upside down jelly fish (which use photosynthesis like corals) and a small nurse shark (about 3 feet long), which was the highlight (picture from GoPro). Also, on the return boat trip we saw a couple of dolphins in the distance. However, I will say that I expected we would see more. I’m not sure if that was because of the currents or just due to luck.

I know that there is a combination snorkel and paddle tour, which is longer and might give more opportunities to see various wildlife. However, our youngest daughter is only 7 so not quite ready for snorkeling yet.

Boat Route to Jones Lagoon

I had my cell phone on me, so I included the GPS tracking from Google maps. I’m not sure why there are 3 lines, but I suspect it is because there wasn’t a cell phone signal for sections of the trip. However, I think we took the more direct route on the return and we passed the pictured Adams Key sign.

You can also see how far into Jones Lagoon we paddled. After paddling part way, our guide asked us if we wanted to be a half way done or a quarter way done. Basically, he wanted to know how tired we were and if we wanted to keep going or turn back. In the end, we went a bit further, but not the entire way. I’m glad we did, since that is where we saw the nurse shark. However, the second half did have stronger currents as was more difficult paddling upstream.

Other Biscayne Tours

You can view the other tours at the Biscayne National Park Institute website. Additionally, depending on your overnight location, the tours can depart from Coconut Grove (near Miami), Deering Estate (south of Miami) or Homestead (furthest south and home to Dante Fascell Visitor Center). Also, there are paddle plus snorkel and paddle/snorkel/sailing options available depending on your interests. Finally, there are shorter historic tours to Boca Chita Key and Stiltsville if you are looking for a tour with less physical exertion.

Conclusion

Would I recommend the Jones Lagoon Eco-Adventure Tour? Absolutely! It is a bit pricey, as it was about $600 plus a tip for the private tour for 3.5 hours.  And the snorkel plus paddle combo is 6 hours and even more. So I think it really depends how into paddling and snorkeling as to whether or not it is worth it. I’ve included my recommendations based on the tours we did to help guide you in your decision. Be sure to double check the departure location before booking.