The Boca Chita Lighthouse has become one of the most recognizable landmarks in South Florida’s National Parks. Rising above the harbor, the white tower topped with its bright red dome is often the first thing visitors notice when they arrive at Boca Chita Key — a postcard-perfect landmark framed by palm trees and the turquoise waters of Biscayne National Park.
At first glance, it looks like a traditional lighthouse charged with guiding boats through Biscayne Bay. But the real story behind the tower is far more surprising. Did you know it was never actually used as a lighthouse at all?
A Vision for Boca Chita Key
In the 1930s, Biscayne Bay was becoming an increasingly popular playground for boating enthusiasts and South Florida residents looking for tropical escapes beyond mainland Miami. Among them was wealthy industrialist Mark C. Honeywell.
Mark C. Honeywell, an inventor from Wabash, Indiana, built his fortune developing an electric heat regulator — a technology that helped advance the modern thermostat found in many homes today and led to the global company now known as Honeywell International, Inc.
Like many wealthy Americans in the early 20th century, Honeywell began traveling to South Florida as a winter escape. He was particularly drawn to boating and island life in Biscayne Bay, so he purchased Boca Chita Key in 1937 to build a private retreat. He saw it as a place where friends and guests could gather, relax, and enjoy the beauty of the bay.
To bring that vision to life, Honeywell improved the harbor, and constructed picnic areas, and several distinctive stone buildings that still stand today. He even built a small chapel-like structure and landscaped most of the island to create a welcoming atmosphere for visitors. His crown jewel? A dramatic centerpiece for the island to welcome guests and nod to the island’s role as a gathering place: the lighthouse.
The Lighthouse That Wasn’t a Lighthouse
Honeywell built the 65-foot tower primarily as a decorative landmark — a dramatic architectural feature that could be seen from across Biscayne Bay. A popular story claimed the lighthouse was shut down by the U.S. Coast Guard after one lighting because it was not an approved navigational aid. In reality, there are no fixtures or hardware in the lantern dome for a light suggesting it was never intended toguide ships through the bay.
Instead, the lighthouse served as a symbol of Honeywell’s vision for Boca Chita Key. During Honeywell’s ownership, Boca Chita Key became known as a lively gathering place. Friends, business associates, and guests would often arrive aboard one of the Honeywell’s three yachts to enjoy picnics, music, and social events on the island. One of the biggest events at Boca Chita was the extravagant Miami Beach Committee of One Hundred annual charity party. Honeywell was president of the club for many years and made it one of the richest, most elite clubs on Miami Beach. During the annual galas, captains of industry and finance would join celebrities, politicians, and the media for elephant rides, speed boat races, and serious networking.
Honeywell sold the property in 1945, the island gradually faded from the Miami social scene. Ownership passed through his estate and other private owners, and was eventually purchased by the U.S. government in the 1960s as part of a land acquisition plan to protect the natural resources of Biscayne Bay.
In 1968, Congress established Biscayne National Monument, which did not included Boca Chita Key. The Biscayne National Monument was expanded and redesignated as Biscayne National Park in 1980 to include Boca Chita and the Ragged Keys Boca Chita Key and its iconic lighthouse have been managed by the National Park Service.
Exploring Boca Chita Key Today
Today, Boca Chita Key is one of the most popular destinations in Biscayne National Park. The lighthouse remains one of the most photogenic features in Biscayne National Park, offering sweeping views of Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline.
Visitors can reach the island by private boat or guided tour to experience:
• The historic Boca Chita Lighthouse
• The island’s scenic harbor and seawall
• Picnic areas and shaded gathering spaces
• 1/2 mile hiking trail around the island
When conditions allow, the National Park Service opens the lighthouse tower for visitors to climb. Biscayne National Park Institute offers trips to Boca Chita twice a day and opens the lighthouse whenever on the island. From the top, guests can take in panoramic views of Biscayne Bay and the surrounding islands.
Even for visitors who come primarily to enjoy the water or explore the park’s coral reefs, a stop at Boca Chita Key offers a glimpse into a fascinating chapter of South Florida history.
Protecting the Stories of Florida’s National Parks
Biscayne National Park is famous for its vibrant marine ecosystems, but places like the Boca Chita Lighthouse highlight an important truth: national parks protect cultural history as well as natural landscapes. Preserving the structures on Boca Chita Key helps visitors understand how people have experienced and shaped Biscayne Bay over time.
Through education, exploration, and conservation, The Alliance for Florida’s National Parks helps support the programs that allow visitors to discover stories like this across Big Cypress National Preserve and Biscayne, Dry Tortugas, and Everglades National Parks. Learn more about how you can support Florida’s national parks at FloridaNationalParks.org.
By Margarita Kruyff
