Miami's Best Beaches

From soft, sun-warmed sand to gentle, translucent waves, Greater Miami & Miami Beach has earned its legendary allure as Florida’s best beach vacation. You can people-watch at a world-famous beach, relax in hidden-gem nature preserves and socialize along family-friendly swaths of sand. Check out this guide to the best beaches in Miami and find your perfect spot.

Exploring Iconic South Beach

It’s hard to imagine Miami without visions of  South Beach swirling in your head. This legendary stretch of beach runs from the southern tip of Miami Beach to 23rd Street. Turquoise-blue waves lap against white-sand beaches and  Art Deco hotels flank the coastline. The beach itself is a colorful patchwork of lounge chairs, towels and umbrellas. The most popular stretch of sand runs from 5th to 15th streets along lively Ocean Drive, but you’ll find a more-relaxed atmosphere to the north and south, and it’s great for families too. Lummus Park, from 5th Street to 14th Place on Ocean Drive, has playgrounds and bike rentals, and you can rent a beach chaise and umbrella from Boucher Brothers, which has locations all along the beach. Take a walk, run or bike on the Beachwalk, with the ocean on one side and Ocean Drive on the other. At the southern tip of South Beach, South Pointe Park offers beach access, a water playground and jungle gym, picnic and barbecue areas, and panoramic views any time of day.

Recreation, Relaxation and Family Fun at North Beach

With chilled-out beaches, historic Art Deco architecture and inviting green spaces,  North Beach  makes for a mellow, family-friendly beach destination. A beautiful oceanfront park with ample shade trees,  North Beach Oceanside Park  is an ideal spot to access the beach for a relaxing afternoon. You’ll find shaded walking trails, a bike path, a dog park and a playground for the little ones. There are also picnic pavilions with barbecue grills if you feel like packing a feast to share with friends and family. Best of all, the white sands and aquamarine waters of the Atlantic Ocean are right there for your enjoyment.

Retro Charm and Serenity in Surfside

Surfside  is known as Miami’s Uptown Beach Town. Nestled between North Beach and Bal Harbour, the retro-styled community boasts a quiet, luxurious vibe. From the sherbet colors of sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean to the kaleidoscopic golds and fuchsias of sunset behind the skyline, this pristine stretch of coastline attracts families and anyone else seeking a tranquil day in the sun. With the white-sand beach to the east and lush sand dunes to the west, you can use Surfside’s paved paths for an oceanfront stroll, run or bike ride. Listen to the waves lapping and birds chirping as you break a healthy sweat. You’ll find joggers on the elevated dune path and paddleboarders and kite surfers zipping across the waves. Pack a picnic and beach blanket or simply recline on a cushy lounge chair for an idyllic day spent outside.

Hidden Gem Haulover Park Beach

Just north of Bal Harbour, Haulover Park Beach  is home to the only public clothing-optional stretch of beach in Miami. A day in the sun at this oasis means you can bare it all and never get a tan line. Tucked between the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway, Haulover’s tranquil stretch of sand attracts all types of visitors. Surfers flock to the spot when conditions are right, thanks to Haulover Inlet’s strong current. The adjacent oceanfront park is popular for flying kites and picnicking, thanks to tables and outdoor grills. And a marina full of fishing and diving charters faces the Intracoastal Waterway.

Discover Florida’s Riviera at Sunny Isles Beach

Sunny Isles Beach – a clean, uncrowded two-mile-long stretch of sand just north of Haulover Park Beach – is lined with towering residential condominiums. Nicknamed Florida’s Riviera, this family-friendly spot with a lifeguard tower is perfect for a peaceful day on the sand. On your way to the beach, head along Samson Oceanfront Park's  well-manicured paths and let the little ones enjoy some time on the playground. Stroll the massive Newport Fishing Pier, which stretches more than 700 feet into the waves, for vast ocean panoramas. It’s the perfect spot for a snack.

Uncover History and Nature at Historic Virginia Key Beach Park 

Historic Virginia Key Beach Park  offers visitors a tucked-away, scenic stretch of beach surrounded by swaying palms and one of the largest mangrove wetlands in Florida. It’s located just off the Rickenbacker Causeway, which connects mainland Miami to  Key Biscayne.

Its history is as fascinating as the beach is beautiful. This picture-perfect spot was a welcoming beach for African Americans during segregation and was a cherished getaway for all people of color at the time. Today, the park is on the National Register of Historic Places and features sandy shores, coastal hammock trails and an antique carousel.

Crandon Park Beach: An Oceanfront Playground

Crandon Park Beach, at the northern end of Key Biscayne, is the place to be active. Vendors offer lessons and rentals for kiteboarding, stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking. There are trails across a mangrove boardwalk to a fossilized coral reef and naturalist-led tours provided by the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center.

The beach itself is two miles of soft sand along the barrier island, with a famous sand bar that constantly changes due to the wind and tides. Park and beach amenities include picnic tables, cabanas, volleyball nets, a marina, a golf course and a tennis center.

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park's Natural Splendor

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, at the tip of Key Biscayne, is a treasure. With rugged sand dunes leading to an immaculate white-sand beach and unlimited ocean views, it's a piece of unspoiled and natural Old Florida.

The water is typically calm here, thanks to a barrier reef located six miles offshore. In addition to the beach, you can follow nature trails that wind through the park. For refreshments, Boater’s Grill and the Lighthouse Cafe offer fresh seafood and authentic Cuban fare in rustic settings. There are also shaded picnic pavilions if you bring your own food.

Nature, Adventure and Tranquility at Matheson Hammock Park

The 630-acre  Matheson Hammock Park, located on Biscayne Bay in the southern part of  Coral Gables, opened in 1930 as a gift to the county from conservationist William J. Matheson “to preserve the wild and natural beauty” of Miami. Wondering what a hammock is? In Miami, it refers to a unique ecosystem featuring a dense strand of broad-leafed trees set only a few inches above sea level and surrounded by tropical wetlands.

At the park, you can hike along trails through the hammock, rent kayaks and canoes at the shore, go kiteboarding, and swim in the tranquil, protected waters of a man-made atoll pool surrounded by a sandy beach.

Whatever your beach day plans, Miami has the perfect beach for you.