Among Monroe County's saltwater launches, Everglades National Park - Flamingo Marina - Bay Side Boat Ramp stands out for its convenient location on Florida Bay. Regulars appreciate how quickly it drops you into the fishable stretches nearby. With 5 launch lanes, it can handle a busy weekend crowd without the usual bottleneck. As of the last FWC inventory update, a launch fee applies here.
Boater’s note
You'll pay the park entrance fee at the gate (America the Beautiful pass works). Bay-side ramp is the calmer choice for most boats — Florida Bay flats are shallow and unforgiving at low tide, so run the marked channels. Cell service dies about 20 miles before Flamingo, so pull tides and weather before you leave Homestead. Crocodiles hang around the docks at dawn — keep an eye on lines and gear.
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At a glance
- County
- Monroe
- City
- Homestead
- Waterbody
- Florida Bay
- Water type
- Salt or Brackish Water
- Ramp type
- Boat Ramp Within Marina
- Launch lanes
- 5
- Ramp surface
- Concrete
- Dock
- Both Launch and Staging Dock
- Parking surface
- Paved - Asphalt or Concrete
- Trailer parking
- 100
- Restroom
- Flush Toilet
- Fee required
- Yes
- Managed by
- United States National Park Service
- Status
- Open for Business
- Hours
- Daytime Use Only
Address: Main Park Road - 37 Miles Past Entrance, Homestead, FL, 33034 · Coordinates: 25.142425, -80.923605
Get directions on Google Maps →
Where it is
Live NEXRAD radar from Iowa State Mesonet — past ~65 minutes animated. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Ramp location from the FWC boat ramp inventory. Not for navigation.
On-water restrictions nearby
No mapped state manatee-protection or boating-safety zones were found within 500 m of this ramp in the current FWC dataset. This does not mean the area is unrestricted — posted signs and other local, state, or federal rules may still apply.
Restriction zones: For general awareness only — not for navigation or legal determination. Florida Administrative Code and posted on-water signs prevail. Other local, state, or federal restricted zones may exist that are not shown here. Source: FWC manatee protection & boating-safety GIS layers. Zone data as of .
What to know before you launch
- Rinse your trailer and engine with fresh water after launching in salt — corrosion is the enemy on Florida's coast.
- Even with multiple lanes, prep in the staging area first so you're not tying up a lane while loading gear.
- Always check current tides, wind, and marine forecasts before you launch — Florida afternoons can turn stormy fast.
Tides at the nearest station
The closest NOAA tide station is Vaca Key, USCG Station, Florida Bay, about 32 miles away. Here are today's predicted highs and lows (referenced to MLLW):
Boater discussion
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