Biscayne National Park, located in southern Florida near Miami, is unique among U.S. National Parks because 95% of its 172,971 acres is water. This "watery wonderland" protects a rare combination of turquoise bay waters, emerald islands, and the northernmost part of the Florida Reef—the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States. Because the park is almost entirely submerged, it is best explored by boat, kayak, or through snorkeling and diving. The park includes the mangrove-fringed shorelines of Biscayne Bay and several small keys, such as Elliott Key and Boca Chita Key. Beneath the surface, the park also preserves the Maritime Heritage Trail, which features six shipwrecks dating back to the 1800s. The 5% of land that does exist consists primarily of narrow mangrove forests and the aforementioned coral-rock islands. This high percentage of water makes the park a critical habitat for diverse marine life, including West Indian manatees, sea turtles, and over 600 species of fish.