Here Are The Most Beautiful Beaches In Miami To Visit

Not all beaches are made equal. That is painfully evident when you live near one of the world’s best and then attempt to leave.  In Miami, it’s difficult to find a beach you don’t enjoy. Still, we all have our favorites, and various situations require different beaches. Yes, we have that many.

Looking to relax in nature? Perhaps visit a beach on Key Biscayne. Do you want to strip down to your birthday suit? Your destination is Haulover (the naked part). Are you ready to party? We probably don’t need to tell you which beach is ideal for that. Our selections for the greatest beaches in Miami range from sunbathing hotspots to shaded picnic areas.

1. Lummus Park Beach

If you’re not sure where to begin with Miami’s many beach attractions, start here. Lummus Park is your go-to for stunning vistas, pure water, and a lively atmosphere, and your friends will be impressed that you visited there. Lummus Park is famous. It has served as the backdrop for a number of films and television shows, and it exudes a particular ’90s nostalgia.

2. Haulover Beach

Haulover Beach is ideal for families due to its miles of pristine sand and waves. It’s one of South Florida’s best places to fly a kite (which can be rented from Skyward Kites), and it has a cutting-edge skate park and pump track. There is also a bark park and a dog beach between lifeguard stations #2 and #3.

But perhaps what stands out most about Haulover Beach is what you can’t see: clothes! One of the world’s most famous nude beaches is located between lifeguard towers #12 and #16. Rent a chair, get some refreshments, and enjoy the show.

3. South Pointe Park Pier

This beach, located at the very bottom of Miami Beach, is ideal for families. There is a picnic area, a playground, and plenty of crabbing places, in addition to the 450-foot-long pier. When you and the kids are hungry, stop by the legendary Joe’s Take Away for the finest seafood for your beach picnic. Also, be sure to stop by Nikki Beach next door for the softest day beds and potential celebrity sightings.

4. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

Nature enthusiasts and energetic individuals. A quick trip across the Key Biscayne Bridge feels like a universe (and century) away from modern-day Miami. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is home to Miami-Dade’s oldest structure, the historic Cape Florida Lighthouse.

Climb all 109 steps of this 1825 building for a panoramic view of Biscayne Bay, then visit the lighthouse keeper’s cabin to learn about Florida’s history. Stick around for sunset at The Cleat, a laid-back beachside grill where you can eat a fresh catch with your toes in the sand.

5. Mid-Beach (21st–45th Street)

You want the ocean but aren’t attempting to do it. Locals know to go to Mid-Beach between 21st and 45th Streets. You may take a romantic stroll down the Miami Beach boardwalk, which is ideal for people watching and peeking into all of the luxury resort and condominium pool decks.

6. Crandon Park

 Crandon Park is a magnificent beach with postcard-worthy vistas of Key Biscayne. This is purely a locals’ park, a popular spot for sandy barbecues and family reunions. But there’s so much to do here, especially for nature lovers.

The Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center offers hands-on learning for children, while a light hike through Bear Cut Preserve allows you to observe the ecosystem. You may also walk through the remnants of the abandoned Crandon Park Zoo. Crandon Park North offers kiteboard and paddleboard rentals, while Crandon Park South has a skatepark and carousel. If you want to relax all day, Crandon offers umbrella, chair, and oceanside cabana rentals, as well as two great beachside eateries where you can have a plate of paella delivered to you on the sand.

7. Surfside

Small-town vibes. Everyone knows each other in this sleepy residential enclave that’s less than a mile long. Summer Fridays are a real thing here, as residents gather on the sand to listen to music, feast and participate in kid-friendly activities on the first Friday of every month from June through August.

8. Bal Harbour

Feeling bougie. There are said to be more millionaires per capita in Bal Harbour than in any other city in the U.S., which explains why the beaches are so impeccable, exclusive and pristine. It’s mostly metered parking here, though you could valet at one of the resorts (i.e. the St. Regis Bal Harbour) to upgrade your entire experience. Spend an afternoon seeing how the other half lives, and maybe duck into the famous Bal Harbour Shops for a different kind of therapy.

9. Matheson Hammock Park Beach

This peaceful, circular swimming area is great for those who don’t have the energy or ability to trudge through beach surf.  Tucked behind the lush mangroves and banyan trees of Old Cutler is a man-made atoll pool flushed by the tidal action of Biscayne Bay. When you get hungry as the sun sets, make your way over to the (finally!) reopened Red Fish Grill for fresh seafood, great wine and the kind of ambiance that will solidify your love for this city.

10. Historic Virginia Key Beach Park

a unique beach day. You can head to Virginia Key for more than festivals and special events. Once Miami’s “Colored Only” beach, it holds a special place in this city’s history. Reopened in 2008, Virginia Key boasts serene ocean views plus some other fun features, like a mini train through wetlands, biking trails, kayaking, paddleboarding and adorable beachside cabins you can rent in all the colorful hues of the Caribbean.

11. Hobie Beach

Want to hit the beach quickly, without a long trek to the sand? Hobie Beach is your answer. This slim, narrow, and teeny tiny beach is a paradise for local windsurfers, and rentals for these as well as jet skis and sailboats are all available onsite. It’s also one of Miami’s few dog-friendly beaches, so expect lots of canines splashing around in the shallow waters.

12. Fort Lauderdale Beach

On days when the Miami throng refuse to leave, take the journey north to this postcard-perfect beach. While not technically a Miami beach, our northern neighbor’s beachfront is worth mentioning for its large and attractive sandy strip and brick promenade, which is perfect for skaters, runners, and cyclists.

It has bronzed lifeguards and coconut trees and attracts a much more relaxed population than Miami’s beaches (unless around Spring Break). Simply looking to cruise? Fort Lauderdale Beach offers direct water views from the street, similar to driving down the Pacific Coast Highway but without the cliffs.