THE VENICE OF MIAMI: UNCOVERING THE HISTORY AND SECRETS OF THE VENETIAN ISLANDS
The Venetian Islands are a tranquil chain of six man-made islands connected by bridges across Biscayne Bay. As your Miami Sightseeing Cruise passes this picturesque stretch, you are viewing a living museum of architectural ambition—a true “Venice of America.”
This area offers more than just beautiful views; it holds one of Miami’s wildest development stories. Here are five facts about the Venetian Islands that explain why they are a defining feature of the Miami waterfront.
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Fact 1: It Was Once the World’s Longest Wooden Bridge
The foundation of the Venetian Islands project was a spectacular feat of engineering. The causeway did not begin as the concrete structure you see today, but as the Collins Bridge, which opened in 1913.
The Record: This original wooden bridge, spanning 2.5 miles from the mainland to Miami Beach, held the title of the longest wooden bridge in the world. It was the crucial link that opened up Miami Beach for development.
Fact 2: The Islands Are Almost Entirely Man-Made
The six islands—Biscayne, San Marco, San Marino, Di Lido, Rivo Alto, and Belle Isle—were constructed almost entirely from dredged sand pulled from the bottom of Biscayne Bay in the 1920s.
The Purpose: Visionary developers John S. Collins and Carl Fisher created these islands specifically to generate high-value waterfront property, adapting the Mediterranean Revival style popular in the 1920s for the exclusive homes seen there today.
Fact 3: Look Closely: You Can See a Failed Development Project
Cruising near the Venetian Islands offers a glimpse into a massive, failed ambition of the 1920s land boom. Developers originally planned for many more islands, but the dream was curtailed by the 1926 hurricane and economic crash.
The Secret Ruins: If you look closely in the central area of the bay (between Di Lido Island and the Julia Tuttle Causeway), you can still spot some of the submerged original foundation pilings. These remnants of the “Island of Lolando” now serve as unique sanctuaries for local seabirds and wildlife.
Fact 4: The Architecture is a Time Capsule
The Venetian Islands display a stunning evolution of Miami’s architectural history. While later additions are modern, the core homes feature the beautiful Mediterranean Revival style (stucco walls, red tile roofs) that was popular before the Art Deco era took over South Beach.
The Mix: The blend of these historic villas with ultra-modern, minimalist waterfront estates makes the cruise route a fascinating architectural journey across a century of Miami design.
Fact 5: The Islands Are a Top Spot for Water Activities
The causeway itself is a pedestrian hub. Today, the Venetian Causeway is renowned as one of the best places for exercise in Miami, attracting joggers, cyclists, and walkers who enjoy the panoramic views of the Miami Skyline as they cross the bay.
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Experience the Venetian Islands from the Best Vantage Point
You simply cannot appreciate the scale, architecture, and hidden history of these man-made islands from the road. The only way to see the waterfront homes and understand their place in Miami’s history is from the water.
Book your Miami Sightseeing Cruise with Miami on the Water® and let our guides share the full story of the Venetian Islands as you glide through Biscayne Bay.