Pace Picnic Island

Pace Picnic Island (often listed as “Pace Picnic Islands”) is a small, uninhabited spoil island in Biscayne Bay near Miami’s Edgewater/Upper Eastside. It’s best known as a simple, low-key boating destination: drop anchor, hop in the shallows, and set up a quick beach-style picnic with the city skyline as your backdrop.

There’s no dock, no facilities, and no road access—visiting is all about self-sufficient day boating. Plan to anchor nearby and get to shore by dinghy, paddleboard, or by wading/swimming when conditions and tides allow.

Because Miami’s spoil islands have faced periodic closures and renewed enforcement, it’s smart to confirm current rules before you go and practice strict pack-in/pack-out etiquette.

Pace Picnic Island is typically visited by anchoring off in shallow water and heading in by dinghy, paddleboard, or wading/swimming (conditions vary with tide and wind). Expect a small natural shoreline with limited shade, shallow flats, and nearby channel traffic—approach at idle speed, use charts, and keep a sharp lookout. On busy days you’ll see other boats staged nearby for swimming, lounging, and casual picnics.

Pace Picnic Island is part of Miami’s “Picnic Islands,” a cluster of small bay islands known for casual beach stops and quick escapes from the mainland. The island is named for the nearby Margaret Pace Park area along the mainland. While it feels like a mini getaway, it’s still close enough to keep the Miami skyline front-and-center—one of the main reasons boaters love it.