MIAMI, MIAMI BEACH, KEY BISCAYNE AND BISCAYNE NATIONAL PARK

Miami and Biscayne Bay: boating safety

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Miami sits on Biscayne Bay, a wide, shallow bay sheltered by Miami Beach and Key Biscayne, with PortMiami's busy cruise and cargo terminals at its centre. South of Key Biscayne the bay and its outer reefs form Biscayne National Park, a popular day-sailing, fishing and snorkelling area.

LIFE IN DANGER AT SEA
Call 911
Call Coast Guard Sector Miami on 911. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF 16, or DSC on channel 70.

United States: all rescue numbers → On the rescue map → Print an emergency card →

Harbour and marinas

The Coast Guard Captain of the Port Miami works through the Sector Miami Command Center, reachable on VHF channel 16 or by phone at 305-535-4472.

eCFR, 33 CFR 165 ▾
ecfr.gov (2026-10-14): “you may notify the COTP via the Coast Guard Sector Miami Command Center via VHF channel 16, by phone at 305-535-4472, or by email at SectorMiamiWaterways@uscg.mil”

Crandon Marina on Key Biscayne monitors VHF 16 and works on 68; call on 16 when approaching for a slip and docking help.

Miami-Dade County Parks ▾
miamidade.gov (2026-10-14): “Monitors VHF Channel 16/Working Channel 68. Call VHF Channel 16 when approaching this marina for slip assignment and assistance in docking.”

Weather

NWS Miami issues the coastal marine forecast, with separate zones for Biscayne Bay and for the coastal waters from Deerfield Beach to Ocean Reef.

National Weather Service Miami · National Weather Service Miami ▾
weather.gov (2026-10-14): “AMZ630: BISCAYNE BAY”
weather.gov (2026-10-14): “AMZ651: COASTAL WATERS FROM DEERFIELD BEACH TO OCEAN REEF FL OUT 20 NM”

Local rules

Boats under 50 m must go at slow speed through the Port of Miami regulated navigation area. Local manatee slow-speed zones also apply.

eCFR, 33 CFR 165 ▾
ecfr.gov (2026-10-14): “Vessels less than 50 meters entering and transiting through the regulated navigation area shall proceed at a slow speed. Nothing in this section alleviates vessels or operators from complying with all state and local laws in the area including manatee slow speed zones.”

A 100-yard security zone moves with every cruise ship and hazardous-cargo vessel entering or leaving PortMiami, and parts of the Main Channel can be closed. To enter, ask the Captain of the Port on VHF 16 first.

eCFR, 33 CFR 165 · eCFR, 33 CFR 165 ▾
ecfr.gov (2026-10-14): “Moving security zones are established 100 yards around all passenger vessels, vessels carrying cargoes of particular hazard, or vessels carrying liquefied hazardous gas (LHG) during transits entering or departing the Port of Palm Beach, Port Everglades, or Port of Miami.”
ecfr.gov (2026-10-14): “Persons and vessels desiring to enter or transit the fixed or moving security zones may contact the Captain of the Port Miami at (305) 535-4472 or on VHF Marine Band Radio Channel 16 (156.8 MHz) to seek permission to transit the area.”

In Biscayne National Park, use the white mooring buoys (boats up to 45 ft) where available. Otherwise anchor in sand, downwind of the reef, at least 300 ft from any buoy, and never on coral. Personal watercraft (jet skis) are banned in the park.

National Park Service, Biscayne National Park · National Park Service, Biscayne National Park · National Park Service, Biscayne National Park · National Park Service, Biscayne National Park ▾
nps.gov (2026-10-14): “Mooring balls are for vessels up to 45 feet, unless specifically authorized by the park.”
nps.gov (2026-10-14): “Anchor in sandy areas and downwind from the reef in order to keep the anchor line from dragging across the reef (which could cause damage to the reef and result in a substantial fine).”
nps.gov (2026-10-14): “Do not anchor within 300 feet of a mooring buoy.”
nps.gov (2026-10-14): “Personal watercraft are prohibited, including jet skis and waverunners”

Hazards

Biscayne National Park waters are shallow: check tide predictions, watch your depth and use NOAA chart 11451 to avoid running aground.

National Park Service, Biscayne National Park · National Park Service, Biscayne National Park ▾
nps.gov (2026-10-14): “Park waters are shallow, so tide predictions are important”
nps.gov (2026-10-14): “Use nautical charts for navigation (available in marine stores and online); NOAA 11451 covers park waters”

Hospital and medical

Jackson Memorial Hospital's emergency room is at 1026 N.W. 19th Street, Miami. Jackson's Ryder Trauma Center is a Level I verified trauma centre.

Jackson Health System · Jackson Health System (Ryder Trauma Center) ▾
jacksonhealth.org (2026-10-14): “1026 N.W. 19th Street, Miami, FL, 33136”
rydertraumacenter.jacksonhealth.org (2026-10-14): “Level I Verified Trauma Center”

Arriving from abroad

Boats arriving from abroad must report to CBP: face to face at a CBP office unless enrolled in an app or phone reporting programme. The Miami Seaport office (PortMiami Terminal D) is open 6:00 to 21:00 every day.

US Customs and Border Protection · US Customs and Border Protection ▾
cbp.gov (2026-10-14): “The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requires boaters returning to the U.S. from foreign to report to a designated CBP office for a face-to-face inspection, unless they are enrolled in an alternative inspection program allowing reporting by app or phone.”
cbp.gov (2026-10-14): “Miami Seaport Address: Port Miami, Terminal D, 1435 North Cruise Blvd., Miami, FL 33132 Hours of Operation: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Seven Days a Week”

Frequently asked

Who do I call in an emergency at sea near Miami and Biscayne Bay?

Call Coast Guard Sector Miami on 911. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.

How do I contact the harbour in Miami and Biscayne Bay?

The Coast Guard Captain of the Port Miami works through the Sector Miami Command Center, reachable on VHF channel 16 or by phone at 305-535-4472.

Where do I get the marine forecast for Miami and Biscayne Bay?

NWS Miami issues the coastal marine forecast, with separate zones for Biscayne Bay and for the coastal waters from Deerfield Beach to Ocean Reef.

Read before you sail

Thunderstorms, lightning and squalls on the water: what to doRan aground? What to doCold water shock and hypothermia: what to doPerson overboard: what to do

Nearby destinations

Florida Keys 112 nmNassau & the Exumas 159 nmCancún / Riviera Maya 453 nmAnnapolis and Chesapeake Bay 818 nmSt. George's, Bermuda 909 nmFajardo 925 nmSt. Thomas and St. John 963 nmTortola 971 nm

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