Black Point Marina and More: Things to Do Near Cutler Bay

"Black Point Marina is a Miami-Dade County park on Biscayne Bay in south Miami-Dade. The county's own page lists boat ramps, a marina, a picnic pavilion, bike and jogging paths, and a long jetty for shore fishing. It is an easy outing to plan if you live in Cutler Bay. This guide starts there, then covers other parks, gardens, and sights around Capistrano, so you can picture your weekends.

What Black Point Marina offers

Black Point Park and Marina is run by Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces. Here is what the county's park page lists:

• Boat ramps, listed as open 24 hours

• A marina with dockside depth of 5.5 feet

• A restaurant and bar called Black Point Ocean Grill

• A large picnic pavilion with a grill

• Bikeways and jogging trails

• A jetty that reaches 1.5 miles into Biscayne Bay, used for shore fishing

The page also says the park is close to Biscayne National Park. That makes it a handy starting point if you like being on the water.

A quick note on terms. A boat ramp is a sloped path where you slide a boat into the water from a trailer. A jetty is a long wall of rock or concrete that reaches out into the water. Anglers walk on it to fish from the edge.

Hours and services can change. The county page lists office hours, but call the park or check the county site before you go.

The county's park page is here: Black Point Park and Marina.

Parks inside Cutler Bay

You do not have to leave town for green space. The Town of Cutler Bay runs its own parks. The town's parks and recreation page lists Bel-Aire, Blue Heron, Coastal Ridge Preserve, Cutler Ridge Park and Pool, Dothan, Franjo, Lakes by the Bay, Lincoln City, Saga Bay, Saga Lake, Veterans, and Whispering Pines.

You can see the full list on the Town of Cutler Bay parks page.

One of the biggest is Lakes by the Bay Park at 8551 SW 216th Street. According to the town, it covers 45 acres. It has:

• Three lighted ball fields

• Two lighted soccer and football fields

• A .6-mile exercise path with fitness stations

• A covered playground

• A canoe and kayak launch

Details about this park are on the town's Lakes by the Bay Park page. Check the town's site for field schedules and any park rules before you go.

If you have kids, a park like this becomes a routine. Practice on a Tuesday, a game on Saturday, a walk on the exercise path on Sunday.

Biscayne National Park

Biscayne National Park is run by the National Park Service. Its visitor access point is at 9700 SW 328th Street in Homestead.

The National Park Service gives this route from the north: take the Florida Turnpike to exit 6 at Speedway Boulevard, turn left and go south to SW 328th Street, then turn left and follow that road to the park entrance. You can read the full directions on the National Park Service directions page.

Programs, boat tours, and schedules change. Check the park's site before you plan a day around it.

Coral Castle

Coral Castle is a museum and sculpture garden at 28655 S. Dixie Highway in Homestead. It was built by one man, Edward Leedskalnin, between 1923 and 1951. He moved and carved huge limestone blocks with basic tools. The site's own page describes a famous balanced 9-ton gate.

It is a good half-day outing for a family with older kids, or for guests visiting from out of town. Learn more on the Coral Castle website, and confirm hours before you go.

Deering Estate

Deering Estate is a county-run preserve along Biscayne Bay at 16701 SW 72nd Avenue in Palmetto Bay. It describes itself as a house museum, a cultural and ecological field station, and a national landmark on the National Register of Historic Places. Its site lists eight distinct habitats, nature preserve tours, kayaking, and wildlife viewing.

The Deering Estate website lists tours and events. Book ahead where needed, and confirm hours first.

Fruit and Spice Park

Fruit & Spice Park is a county park at 24801 SW 187th Avenue in Homestead. The county calls it the only tropical botanical garden of its kind in the United States. It has over 500 varieties of fruits, vegetables, spices, herbs, nuts, and other plants from around the world.

The park also offers classes and seasonal tasting tours. See the county's Fruit & Spice Park page and confirm hours before you go.

Zoo Miami and Monkey Jungle

Zoo Miami is at 12400 SW 152nd Street. Its own site calls it the largest zoo in Florida. It has about 750 acres, 4 miles of walkways, and more than 2,000 animals. There is also a botanical garden. Start with the Zoo Miami website.

Monkey Jungle is at 14805 SW 216th Street. It describes itself as a wildlife eco-show park and discovery center, opened in 1935 in a natural subtropical forest. See the Monkey Jungle website.

Both places change their shows, programs, and hours. Check before you go.

A simple plan for your first month

Here is a way to try the area without a big plan:

1. Week one: Walk or bike at a Cutler Bay town park.

2. Week two: Visit Black Point Marina and walk out on the jetty.

3. Week three: Pick one big outing, such as Coral Castle or Zoo Miami.

4. Week four: Try Fruit & Spice Park or Deering Estate.

That gives you a feel for the place before you decide it fits your life.

Where Capistrano fits

Capistrano is a community of one-story homes on Bahama Drive and Bahia Drive in Cutler Bay, 33189. Both plans, the Destin and the Fraser, have four bedrooms, three baths, and a three-car garage. The Fraser has a bigger primary bedroom and a bigger lanai. Read the full comparison in our Destin vs Fraser breakdown.

If you fish or boat, a three-car garage is the kind of space that helps with gear. Check the Destin's garage at 20 feet by 27 feet 4 inches, and the Fraser's at 28 feet 8 inches by 20 feet, in person before you plan around a specific boat or trailer.

After a day out, you come home to the great room. It is the big open room where the kitchen, dining, and living areas meet. Our post on the great room in the Destin and Fraser shows how each one is laid out. The Destin great room is 21 feet 3 inches by 18 feet 11 inches. The Fraser's is 18 feet by 23 feet.

Want the wider picture of town life? Start with living in Cutler Bay. For places to eat and shop, read dining and shopping in Cutler Bay. For roads, see getting around Cutler Bay.

The Destin has recently started in the low $900,000s, and the Fraser has recently started in the high $900,000s, so the Fraser runs roughly forty thousand dollars more. Call 561-704-0091 for today's numbers, and ask what incentives are available today.

Tour the Destin and Fraser near Cutler Bay parks and the water - Schedule a Visit. Call 561-704-0091 or use this scheduling link for a Capistrano tour to see the homes in person.

Common Questions

Ready to walk it in person? Call 561-704-0091 or see Capistrano - schedule a visit."