Stairs to nowhere

This photo is from a trip a few years ago to Vizcaya. These stairs are behind the mansion and lead into Biscayne Bay. I wonder if they lead to a platform or something that is now covered by the water...

Vizcaya was built almost 100 years ago (in 1916) by James Deerling. It is a HUGE estate with the Villa and gardens. It's now 80 acres but during Deerling's residence it was well over 100. He had an eye for conservation and very much enjoyed the coastal hammock, natural to the area. If you are ever in Miami, it is definitely worth a trip on a nice day. The day we went there were lots of girls doing photographs for their quinceanera. It was quite a sight!