Some of the most stunning beaches in Florida can be found near Miami. It is a fantastic city to add to your bucket list with its miles of immaculate coastlines, fancy shops, delectable restaurants, and dynamic art scene.
There are several locations to pick from, whether you’re looking for crowded, packed beaches or want to venture off the main track and find an undiscovered sandy shoreline. And we will help you to choose the right one.
This article lists the top locations for tanning, swimming, shell-collecting, picnicking, riding jet skis, and fishing in Miami, Florida.
Sunny Isles Beach
Sunny Isles Beach has gorgeous piers and immaculate white-sand beaches away from the bustle of other Miami-based beaches. Due to its less crowded beaches and crystal-clear waters, Sunny Isles Beach is the ideal spot for a day of diving, snorkeling, and other water activities.
Several restaurants, cafés, and other eateries, including the Newport Beach Bar, are situated on the pier and serve everything from sushi and sandwiches to scallops and steak. It’s a terrific area to spend a day or a weekend.
If your small ones grow weary of making sand castles, there is also a public park for kids beside the ocean. The ideal beach for relaxing and unwinding is Sunny Isles.
There are ten spotless public parks in Sunny Isles Beach. The well-known Samson Oceanfront Park offers a Wednesday Outdoor Concert Series and Yoga Under the Moon.
Children can explore the butterfly garden at Gateway Park, while dogs may have a great time in the Bone Zone in Senator Gwen Margolis Park.
South Beach
Given that so many celebrities choose South Beach as their favorite, it is one of Miami’s busiest beaches and a spot to be seen. It is situated near Ocean Drive, directly across from some of Miami’s most well-known nightclubs.
In Miami, South Beach has somewhat of a legendary reputation. The beach, sometimes referred to as SoBe by locals, is one of Miami’s most popular tourist attractions.
The waves at the beach are a brilliant turquoise color, lapping against the shore. There is a jumble of seats and umbrellas for tourists, too.
Practically everything is accessible right on the sand. Have a craving for ice cream? Want to order a cocktail while relaxing in your chair? Get it from one of the many kiosks nearby.
Additionally, South Beach is where elegant Art Deco architecture meets modern design. The city’s best hotels, restaurants, art galleries, and nightlife are located around the beach.
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
Set just outside of Miami on the southern edge of Key Biscayne, Bill Baggs is undoubtedly one of the most popular weekend getaways.
Right next to Cape Florida Lighthouse, there is a quiet stretch of sand called Cape Florida Beach. The waters there are shallow and warm and therefore perfect for families with kids.
Climb the 109 steps to the top of the lighthouse and enjoy some scenic views of the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay. Other popular activities include cycling, windsurfing, kayaking, and fishing.
The park also features ample parking, picnic areas, a fishing pier, and a birding trail. If you get hungry, you can grab a bite in Lighthouse Café which features delicious seafood, or enjoy a barbie at Boater’s Grill.
South Pointe Park
Miami benefits from the best of all worlds thanks to South Pointe Park. The beach is renowned for its verdant vegetation that contrasts with expanses of sand to provide tourists with an unforgettable experience.
The beach offers magnificent walking paths, luxuriant vegetation, and expansive views of the Atlantic.
What’s more, it offers breathtaking vistas of cruise ships leaving the Port of Miami. However, the attraction of South Pointe Park and Pier to anglers is its most striking characteristic.
The 450-foot-long pier was rebuilt in 2014 and has designated stations for cleaning fish and cutting bait.
Given that it is a family-friendly beach, one may bring their family for a picnic and relax on one of the many grassy knolls to take in their meals while enjoying the sunshine.
You may take a dip in the ocean, lounge on the beach, browse the boardwalk, or unwind on the fishing pier. For the smallest beachgoers, there is also a playground that they will surely enjoy.
Crandon Beach
Outsiders’ perceptions of the ideal Miami Beach are embodied by Crandon Beach, which is long and broad, has fine white sand, and is lined with hundreds of palm trees.
Beach volleyball matches are constantly in progress, and the fragrance of barbecue emanates from one of the many on-site grills.
Walking along the shore, you can view seagrass beds, mangroves, and other coastal vegetation.
Visit the Crandon Park Nature Center, a park section, to observe some rare fish, unique flora, and wildlife. Additionally, there is a Family Amusement Center, an Environment Study Area, and the Bear Cut Preserve.
Surfside Beach
Between the communities of Bal Harbour and Miami Beach is Surfside. This relatively tranquil seaside community is one of South Florida’s best-kept secrets and much more than simply a place most people rush by on their route to and from the upscale stores of Bal Harbour. It is located on a narrow strip of land across Biscayne Bay from Miami.
While still maintaining part of its glitzy, vintage ambiance, Surfside now strongly emphasizes providing a good standard of living for both visitors and locals.
Anyone can take advantage of free access to swimming pools and more than 90 health and wellness programs at its beachside community center. In Surfside, classes like aqua zumba, beach yoga, and pilates are frequently offered.
The Carrot, an organic restaurant with a large selection of vegan, vegetarian, and kosher options on its menu, is just one example of the many healthy food options available in this area.
Enjoy loaded sweet potatoes, gourmet wraps, soups, salads, smoothies, and freshly squeezed juices, among other dishes. You may pamper yourself with various spa services at The Spa at Four Seasons Surfside, which features a marble hammam.
Haulover Beach
Clothing is not required. Due to this fact, Haulover Beach receives more than 7,000 visitors daily. According to polls between the Atlantic and Intercoastal Waterways, one of the best nudist beaches in the world spans nearly half a mile and features fine white sand, lovely manicured dunes, picnic sites, and open surf.
It is a fantastic swimming and surfing beach. Although it sits on only a tiny fraction of the much larger Haulover Park, the beach is where most visitors congregate. Even though you are not required to be nude to visit the beach, being dressed will likely make you feel worse than others who are skinny dipping.
You’ll see a highly rocky section of shoreline that appears too sharp to be natural at Haulover Beach’s southern end. This is the northern entrance to Biscayne Bay from the Atlantic Ocean, provided by the artificial Haulover Inlet.
Visitors to Haulover Beach shouldn’t think about going swimming in the inlet. In addition to boat traffic, it has powerful currents. Even seasoned boat captains believe it’s a bit dangerous.
Oleta River State Park
Florida is known for its marshes and mangrove forests but did you know that you can explore one even when you’re in Miami? Oleta River State Park is situated just 30 minutes from downtown and is considered to be the largest urban park in the whole of Florida. It features more than 1,000 acres of lush nature as well as a number of secluded beaches. Also, it offers a number of watersports.
Explore the forest on a kayak or paddle board – long-distance paddlers will appreciate the 1.5-mile-long Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail. The area is also popular among anglers and swimmers.
If you prefer to stay on the ground, you can bike the 15 miles of off-road trails. On a lazy afternoon, you can enjoy a picnic with scenic views of Biscayne Bay.
Wanna stay overnight? That’s no problem at Oleta River State Park. There are fourteen little cabins available for rent.
Why visit Miami?
Miami is a crossroads of cultures that celebrates its diversity via food, art, and entertainment. Travelers learn this quality the instant they enter Miami International Airport, even though it is only one city, as it represents destinations worldwide.
The variety of languages may draw notice, but what draws the eye is the air of wealth. Top-notch food, lodging, and spas that appeal to people with a taste for the finer things in life may be found in its relocated cultures.
All of this is in addition to stunning beaches and diverse wildlife — visit Miami for its culture, countless services, entertainment options, and accessibility to nature.
What are the less crowded beaches around Miami?
- Crandon Park Beach – Located on Key Biscayne, this beach is less crowded and offers beautiful views of the Miami skyline.
- Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park – Also located on Key Biscayne, this park has a lighthouse and a beautiful beach with fewer crowds.
- Haulover Beach Park – Located in North Miami Beach, this beach is known for its clothing-optional section, but it also has a quieter section with fewer crowds.
- Surfside Beach – Located north of Miami Beach, this beach is a hidden gem with fewer crowds and a more relaxed atmosphere.
- Virginia Key Beach Park – Located on Virginia Key, this beach offers beautiful views of the Miami skyline and is less crowded than other popular Miami beaches.
- South Pointe Park Beach – Located at the southernmost tip of Miami Beach, this beach is less crowded than other beaches in the area and offers great views of the ocean and the Miami skyline.
These are just a few of the less crowded beaches around Miami that you can explore. Keep in mind that some of these beaches may still get crowded during peak tourist season, so it’s best to visit them during off-peak times for a quieter experience.