Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

At the southern tip of Key Biscayne, Bill Baggs has a mile and a quarter of natural Atlantic beach open to swimming, with the 1825 Cape Florida Lighthouse at its end. There are no lifeguards, so swim with a partner and know your limits. The park opens at 8 a.m. and closes to all entry once it fills on busy weekends, so arrive early.

Directions

Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0

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Latest reading · SwimScore 89/100 (Get in) for a typical swimmer: air 26°C, wind 5 km/h, waves 0.5 m, UV 3. Updated 23 Sept, 20:00 UTC.

Know before you go

Best conditions: Weekday mornings, before weekend crowds trigger capacity closures.
Getting in: State park at 1200 S. Crandon Blvd., open 8 a.m. to sunset, 365 days a year; $8 per vehicle. On busy weekends and holidays the park closes to vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists once capacity is reached and stays closed for at least two hours. Beach access points are in Areas A, B and C.
Parking & transport: In-park lots covered by the vehicle entry fee; the park says parking fills quickly on weekends.
Lifeguards: None; the park states swimming is at your own risk.
Water quality: Florida Department of Health Healthy Beaches Program samples the 'Cape Florida Park' site for enterococci bacteria every 1–2 weeks depending on county (Good 0–35, Moderate 36–70, Poor 71+ per 100 mL); an advisory is issued when a sample and its resample both exceed 70.
Season: Year-round.
Watch for: No lifeguards
Paddlecraft may launch and land only inside the V-shaped float lane at Beach Access No. 1
Facilities: Restrooms (Restroom #2 closed for renovation since June 2025) · Shower stations · Lighthouse Café with food and equipment rentals · Picnic pavilions · Free beach and swimming wheelchairs · Mobi-Mat at Beach Access No. 6 · Beach chair rentals