Ten Best Beaches In Miami, Florida

Miami is a slice of paradise with not only beautiful people to look at but sunny beaches and crystal clear waters. This city is known as one of the best taken care of in the United States. Miami is lively, vibrant, and culturally diverse that attracts high-end tourism every year. The beaches rank among the top stretches of shoreline in the world. Whether you want to sunbathe, swim, or socialize, here is a list of Miami, Florida’s top ten beaches that can’t be missed.

1. Lummus Park Beach

Considered the mother of all beaches, Lummus Park Beach has a charm that can’t be denied. New Time readers voted it the Best Beach in 2017. Located in the Art Deco Historic District, out-of-towners flock here for that postcard-perfect photography. You can partake in beach volleyball, jogging, and cycling down the palm tree-lined streets to the bright blue waters. Lummus Park Beach is conveniently located within walking distance of 4-star restaurants, cafe’s, and specialty shops.

2. Haulover Beach Park

Another Miami winner in 2018, Haulover Beach Park is a 1.4 mile stretch of pristine white sand where you can swim or sunbathe in the nude. There are also dog-friendly areas where your pup can frolic in the surf. Haulover Beach Park has a significant number of picnic areas, a tennis court, and a nine-hole golf course. The beach hosts kite-making workshops that you can fly in a grassy area overlooking Biscayne Bay. There are wheelchairs available on the beach for rent and pedestrian tunnels that connect the park to the marina.

3. North Beach

North Beach is immaculately clean, laid-back, and low-key. You can expect a day of relaxation at its most luxurious. The only downside is there is a lack of variety when it comes to dining. At night time, you can head over to North Beach Bandshell to listen to live music under the stars. Shuckers is a favorite among locals on the water for appetizers, beer, and watching live sports. It’s a hot spot to meet up with friends and take in the Miami experience. North Beach is so quiet and serene you will feel like you’re on another planet. The boardwalk winds its way up to Surfside giving you plenty of space to spread out.

4. South Pointe Park

The recently renovated pier at South Pointe Park offers stunning views of the shoreline. There is a sidewalk for lounging, jogging, or people watching, and a children’s playground with water features. South Pointe Park has a pier for fishing and easy access to the beach. This 17-acre park went through a $5 million renovation and now offers stations for washing fish, recycling fishing line, and cutting bait. At the end of your day, enjoy USDA prime dry-aged steaks and premium seafood at Smith and Wollensky’s.

5. Historic Virginia Key Beach Park

This is the perfect beach when you need to get-away during a weekday for complete seclusion. There are plenty of picnic tables and tiki umbrellas to lounge like a celebrity. The Virginia Key Outdoor Center has paddleboards, bikes, and kayaks available for rental. Historic Virginia Beach Park has vending machines on site, concession stands for food and beverages, and barbeque grills throughout for parties and picnics.

6. Surfside Beach

Surfside is considered Miami’s upscale beach scene. High-rise condos and 5-star hotels surround it. Surfside is a small town with only 6,000 residents and is full of character. Its vision is community focused on tourism, local businesses, and residents. The sprawling beach draws in people from all over the world who want to experience Miami without the crowds.

7. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

Known to the locals as “El Farito,” Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. Here you can catch a glimpse of Miami’s oldest standing structure the historic Cape Florida Lighthouse. This hidden oasis provides a lot of fun and relaxation for the whole family. You can ride through the park on quad bikes, fish along the seawalls, hike through the mangrove wetlands, and grab a bite at the Lighthouse Café.

8. Hobie Beach

Hobie Beach is Miami’s favorite dog-friendly stretches. Its shallow waters make it safe and secure for pets to have their own fun. Many love to lounge under the palm trees while sipping fresh lemonade from the concession stands. There are catamaran rentals available where you can take in fantastic views of the Rickenbacker Causeway. Hobie Beach is a favorite spot for windsurfing and hosts a locally run windsurfing rental stand for over twenty years. Two-hour lessons or all-day group lessons will help you become a pro in no time.

9. Crandon Park

Crandon Park is a well-known destination for family parties and special gatherings. Those who love to grill enjoy hosting cookouts at the beachfront picnic areas. You can smell the food for miles from this family-friendly vacation spot. Adjacent to the park are cabana rentals, kayak rentals, a golf course, picnic shelters, an amusement center, and nature tours. Visitors can explore the various ecosystems including the seagrass beds, dunes, coastal hammock, and mangroves. You will experience rare and beautiful plants, herons, ospreys, sea turtles, and hawks. The seagrass beds are home to parrotfish, shrimp, mangrove snapper, puffer fish, and sea stars.

10. Matheson Hammock Park

Another family-friendly beach that is a great place to relax under the palms. The Tenerife Reflecting Point offers stunning views of the Biscayne Bay. Matheson Hammock Park is an excellent spot for picnicking, kiteboarding, kayaking, and fishing. It is home to a man-made atoll pool which flushes naturally with the tidal action of Biscayne Bay. Matheson Hammock Park is ideal for families who want to enjoy safe waters, excellent views, and light breezes. The park has a full-service marina that includes a snack bar, nature trails, sailing and powerboat school, and picnic pavilions. At the end of your adventure, enjoy a romantic dinner on site at the Red Fish Grill. This first-class restaurant is located in the historic coral rock building and serves pasta, seafood, steak, and chicken nightly.