Today at Matheson Hammock
Surf
The NWS surf-zone forecast covers the ocean beaches; this beach is on a tidal lagoon off Biscayne Bay. Lightning, UV and water quality still apply.
Water · Biscayne Bay (Virginia Key)
Warm · typical for November (typical 74–81°F)
NOAA reading Sun 1 Nov, 5:00 PM
UV Index · Key Biscayne
Protect your skin: shade at midday, SPF 15+, hat and sunglasses (EPA).
EPA forecast for Nov/01/2026
Tides today · Dinner Key Marina, Biscayne Bay
- High 1:53 AM 2.3 ft
- Low 8:47 AM 0.4 ft
- High 2:40 PM 2.4 ft
- Low 9:29 PM 0.7 ft
NOAA predictions (MLLW datum)
Rip Current Statement until Tue 3 Nov, 7:00 PM (NWS Miami)
Coastal Flood Advisory until Mon 2 Nov, 7:00 PM (NWS Miami)
About Matheson Hammock
The county's first park wraps a man-made "atoll pool" in palms and tropical hammock on the edge of Biscayne Bay. The lagoon is refilled by the tide but sheltered from waves, so the water is still, shallow at the edges and warm: the place to take toddlers, and a favourite with photographers at sunrise.
Lifeguards work weekends and holidays only. A restaurant in the historic coral-rock building overlooks the beach, there's a snack bar, and a self-service kiosk rents kayaks and paddleboards. Tents and grills aren't allowed in the beach area.
Facts, checked on the official page
- Atoll pool hours
- Summer: weekdays 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m., weekends 9 a.m.–6:30 p.m. Winter: weekdays 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m., weekends 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Hours can change for wildlife, storms or water quality. [1]
- Parking
- $7 plus tax on weekdays, $10 plus tax on weekends and holidays; pay by app or at the park office. [1]
- Lifeguards
- Weekends and holidays only. [1]
- Food
- A restaurant in the historic coral-rock building (open Wednesday to Sunday) and The Grill snack bar. [1]
- Rentals
- A self-service kiosk for kayaks and paddleboards. [1]
- Rules
- No pets. No tents, barbecue grills or open flames in the beach area, and no flotation devices. [1]
Not stated on the official pages we read (so we don't claim them): restrooms and showers; public transit to the park; beach wheelchairs (the county's wheelchair programme names only Crandon and Haulover).
Tides near Matheson Hammock
NOAA predictions for Dinner Key Marina, Biscayne Bay, the nearest tide station. All tide stations.
Nearby
- Matheson Hammock Marina: The county's second-largest marina, about 330 boats (county page).
- West Matheson natural area: About 109 acres, most of it protected forest (county page).
Worth knowing
- The county calls Matheson Hammock its first park. [1]
Photos
Sources
- Miami-Dade Parks: Matheson Hammock Park, checked 2026-10-26
Fees, hours and rules change. If something here is out of date, the official page wins.