Best beaches in Miami, Florida

South Pointe Beach

When you want to visit the best Miami beach that sports plenty of amenities on the sand as well as nearby, then South Pointe Beach is the ideal place for you to visit. Located on the southern tip of Miami Beach on Washington Avenue, South Pointe Beach is situated within the larger 17-acre South Pointe Park and boasts a great stretch of white sand beach that offers a plethora of onsite amenities. South Pointe Beach has a perfect family atmosphere with a wide stretch of white sands that are backed by dunes and superb grassy area. Swimming and other watersport activities is ideal with calm waters as well as vendors with kayaks, standup paddleboards and parasailing excursions. There are plenty of other attractions within South Pointe Park that will keep your family busy all day long such as paved walking paths that permit bicycle riding, skateboarding as well as joggers. There is a fishing pier, a playground and numerous water fountains for children as well as adults to help refresh people when they don't want to get in the ocean. Other facilities onsite include a dog park, restrooms, showers, concessions stands, picnic areas with barbeque grills and lifeguards are on duty 365 days a year.

Photo by Pietro & Silvia

Lummus Park Beach

When you are searching for the best Miami beach that is family-friendly within walking distance to many of South Beach's Art Deco hotels, then you must visit Lummus Park Beach. Located east of Ocean Drive between 5th Street and 15th Street, Lummus Park Beach is situated on a 74-acre urban wonderland that sports a beautiful white sand beach which is backed by huge swaying palm trees and an great grassy area. The beach is wide with plenty of space to lounge with calm waters that are excellent swimming, kayaking and standup paddleboarding. The grassy area of Lummus Park Beach is ideal for picnics and there are walking paths. Other facilities within the park include a playground with climbing features, a fitness area with equipment, volley courts as well as restrooms and showers. There are no concessions stands within Lummus Park Beach, so make sure you bring what you need for the day. An added bonus at this beach park is easy access to central South Beach where you can view the Art Deco Historic District.

Photo by inazakira

Bal Harbor Beach

When you are searching for the best Miami beach that sports a resort feel and attitude, then the place to visit is Bal Harbor Beach. Located on Collins Avenue between 96th Street and Haulover Inlet, the Bal Harbor Beach resides within the small luxury resort community of Bal Harbor Village and sports a beautiful stretch of white sands with plenty of opportunities for lounging in luxury. You can access the beach area but you need to bring your own gear and what you may need for the day. There are no facilities at Bal Harbor Beach except for those offered through the many luxury resorts and condominiums that line the coast. You can rent umbrellas and watersport equipment through one of the many resorts but expect to pay resort prices. The draw is the serene fell of the beach area which is not generally crowded. There is a Beach Walk which extends the length of Bal Harbor which is ideal for jogging and bikes as well as a seawall jetty which is popular with local fishermen.

Photo by Jimmy Baikovicius

Surfside Beach

When you are looking to experience on of the best beaches in Miami that is situated in a small community and overlooks the Atlantic Ocean, the Surfside Beach is the ideal place for you. Located along Collins Avenue between 88th Street and 96th Street, the Surfside Beach is situated within a community of less than 6,000 people in Miami Dade County and features a beautiful one mile stretch of white sands. Surfside Beach is a perfect place for people that are looking for a more laid back beach experience. The beach boasts great areas to relax and swimming conditions are perfect with the calm waters. Kite surfers as well as standup paddleboarders find Surfside Beach to have ideal space for them to enjoy these watersport activities. There are plenty of entry points including nine access points off of Collins Avenue as well as 17 catwalk beach entrances. If you like sunrises this place is superb and many joggers take advantage of the elevated dune path for morning runs. Facilities at Surfside Beach include a lifeguard station, numerous showers and restrooms. There are no concessions stands so bring what you need.

Photo by Ines Hegedus-Garcia

Crandon Park

When you are looking for one of the best beaches in Miami that has lots of attractions and amenities, then Crandon Park is a must to visit. Located along the northern portion of the Key Biscayne and is accessed off of Rickenbacker Causeway, Crandon Park is situated on 808-acres and contains a two-mile stretch of white sands beach area along the Atlantic Ocean. The beach area at Crandon Park is superb with pristine sands and the Crandon Sandbar offers protection for swimmers with calm waters. Kite boarders like this area and there are rentals as well as lessons to be found. There are several watersport rental centers which offer kayaks and standup paddleboards. Also just off the beach area is a family amusement center with arcade games and a carnival type atmosphere. Crandon Park has many other features which are ideal for families that include the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center and you can take a guided hike through the Bear Cut Preserve. The Tennis Center at Crandon Park hosts the Miami Open on a yearly basis and there is a golf course within the park. Other facilities include concession stands, picnic shelters, a marina, barbeque grills and there are lifeguards on duty 365 days of the year.

Photo by Brandon Trentler

12th Street Beach

If you are searching for the best Miami beach that is ideal for the LGBT crowd, then you must visit 12th Street Beach. Located on 12th Street and Ocean Drive, the 12th Street Beach is situated directly in the center of South Beach and is the premier place for the LGBT to congregate. This stretch of white sand offers ideal sunbathing conditions as well as swimming and other watersport activities. You will find a variety of vendors with rainbow colored umbrellas, sun loungers and anything else to help you show your pride. The 12th Street Beach tends to attract more gay males but there are lots of lesbians that visit this stretch of white sand too. There are lifeguards onsite as well as restrooms and showers. No alcohol is allowed on beaches in Miami but you can stop at the Palace Restaurant and Bar which is one of Miami's friendliest places for LGBT's when you get thirsty or hungry.

Photo by Ted Eytan

Historic Virginia Key Beach Park

If you want to take the family to one of the best beaches in Miami that includes several historic onsite attractions, then the ideal place to go is Historic Virginia Key Beach Park. Located just off of Rickenbacker Causeway on Key Biscayne, Historic Virginia Beach Park is situated on an 82-acre barrier island named Virginia Key. This one mile stretch of white sand boasts more than just swimming, sun bathing and playing along the Atlantic Ocean shoreline. Families will enjoy the free amenities they will find at Historic Virginia Beach Park which include an antique carousel, mini train that runs along the beautiful coastline of the Atlantic Ocean as well as two separate playgrounds for children to play. In addition to these amenities you will be pleased to find 4.1-miles of bike trails and a 15-acre hammock area which is ideal for relaxation. If you are looking for watersport activities there is a rental shop onsite with kayaks and standup paddleboards as well as other equipment. There is a concession stand that serves basic food as well as several picnic areas for to use. Other facilities include bathrooms and there are lifeguards on duty 365 days of the year.

Photo by ImageMD

North Shore Open Space Park

North Shore Open Space Park is the best Miami beach if you are looking for a less developed area that still offers basic facilities. Located along Collins Avenue between 78th Street and 87th Street, the North Shore Open Space Park is situated on the far north end of Miami Beach with a great stretch of white sand for you to relax and great water to swim. This beach does not have the high rise development that you will find on beaches to the south which leads to a sense of seclusion. The beach area is backed by a nice open green space and tends to be occupied by more locals than tourists. There are lifeguards on duty for safety but if you want to try a watersport activity you need to bring your own equipment. The North Shore Open Space Park has a separate dog park as well as hiking and biking trails throughout the open space. On the northern end of the park you will find a water fountain and playground that is includes a rock climbing wall which is ideal for children. Facilities include restrooms, showers, picnic tables and barbeque grills. There is no cession stands onsite so bring what you need for the day.

Hobie Island Beach Park

If you are either a windsurfer or like to take your dog to the beach, then the best Miami beach for you to visit is Hobie Island Beach Park. Located off the Rickenbacker Causeway as you drive to Key Biscayne, Hobie Island Beach Park is situated on a narrow strip of white sands with beautiful views of the Miami skyline as well as Biscayne Bay. Often referred to as Windsurfer Beach, Hobie Island Beach Park is a bay beach which means the water is calm, shallow and heats up very quickly during the day. Windsurfers have been known to be coming to this beach for over twenty years to experience the calm waters in honing their tricks. If you are interested in learning how to windsurf there are rentals and you can take a lesson whether you are novice or more advanced at this watersport. Dog lovers like the beach because of the shallow water and no restrictions of pets. This is an open beach where you can drive to a spot and tailgate right next to the shoreline. There are facilities such as a concession stand and bathrooms but most people come fully supplied with everything needed for the day.

Haulover Beach Park (clothing optional)

More About Haulover Beach Park

When you are interested in visiting the best Miami beach that has a clothing optional policy, then the only place to spend the day is at Haulover Beach Park. Located on Collins Avenue between Sunny Isles and Bal Harbour Beaches, Haulover Beach Park is situated on a 1.5-mile stretch of pure white sand and boasts plenty of space to be yourself. Haulover Beach Park is perfect for swimming and also attracts many surfers from the area as well as nudist that want a comfortable and none threatening place to sun bath nude. The beach area is backed by a large grassy area that has a paved path which is popular with bicyclist as well as rollerbladers. You will find plenty of picnic tables, barbeque grills and trees for shade when you are tired of the sun. Haulover Beach Park boasts numerous concessions stands as well as vendors with watersport equipment rentals and there restrooms with showers. Other facilities within the Haulover Miami beach include a marina, tennis courts and dog park as well as lifeguards on duty 365 days a year.

map of beaches in Miami