| Biscayne Bay | |
|---|---|
 Northern Biscayne Bay with the Downtown Miami skyline in the background in November 2014 | |
  Biscayne Bay Location of Biscayne Bay in Florida | |
| Coordinates | 25°33′57″N 80°12′59″W / 25.56583°N 80.21639°W |
| Ocean/sea sources | Atlantic Ocean |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 60 miles (97 km) |
| Max. width | 8 miles (13 km) |
| Surface area | 271 square miles (700 km2) |
| Settlements | Miami Miami Beach, Florida |
| References | Length & width:[1] Area:[2] |
Biscayne Bay is a lagoon with characteristics of an estuary located on the Atlantic coast of South Florida. The northern end of the lagoon is surrounded by the densely developed heart of the Miami metropolitan area while the southern end is largely undeveloped with a large portion of the lagoon included in Biscayne National Park.
The part of the lagoon that is traditionally called "Biscayne Bay" is approximately 35 miles (56 km) long and up to 8 miles (13 km) wide, with a surface area of 221 square miles (570 km2). Various definitions may include Dumfoundling Bay, Card Sound, and Barnes Sound in a larger "Biscayne Bay", which is 60 miles (97 km) long with a surface area of about 271 square miles (700 km2).
- ^ Brown et al. 2003, pp. 1–2.
- ^ Smith 2001, p. 224.