The endless beaches of Miami have earned the city in the state of Florida a reputation as a great resort. Here, one can choose a place to relax to their liking. Some spots are better for sunbathing and swimming with children – they are quiet and not crowded. Others are popular with young people looking to socialize, and some places are frequently visited by celebrities. Everywhere, there is well-developed infrastructure: showers, changing cabins, and toilets are available. Lifeguards are on duty not only to assist vacationers if necessary but also to warn when swimming is dangerous due to waves or marine predators. Cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops are present at every Miami beach.
Crandon Park
Crandon Park resembles a lagoon. It has everything one associates with serene relaxation: sandy spit, sprawling palm trees, and picturesque dunes. The shallow water near the shore is perfectly safe for swimming. This is especially important as other beaches sometimes display a red flag for high waves or a purple flag for dangerous marine life.
Crandon Park is ideal for families with children. There are playgrounds and attractions for young tourists, while adults can enjoy pavilions for relaxation, tennis courts, and golf courses. It’s worth noting that this place is on an island, and a fee is required to drive here by car. However, you can book a stay at the luxurious The Ritz-Carlton 5* hotel and enjoy a worry-free vacation.
South Beach
South Beach has many advantages and perhaps only one disadvantage. First, the positives: the sand is clean and white, and the water is warm year-round. The infrastructure is well-developed, and facilities for beach sports are available. Entry is free. Prestigious Ocean Drive is nearby, with famous clubs, well-known shops, cafes, restaurants, and beauty salons at your service.
This is where movies about the luxurious lives of characters are filmed. South Beach is not only for sunbathing and swimming; there is a high chance of spotting celebrities – movie stars, popular musicians, artists, and models. Even if you don’t meet any famous people, there is always something to do. The place is lively, including at night, with plenty of young people, making it easy to find company and even organize car races.
You can also take a helicopter ride to see the beautiful area from above. Despite the crowd, there are many birds, most of which are almost tame, and children will enjoy feeding them. Experienced tourists note that the more cultured the country, the more trusting the birds. Persistent vendors and touts are not present here. The only downside: if you love tranquility and silence, this is not the place for you.
Sunny Isles
Sunny Isles is very popular with Russian tourists, and you will always find compatriots here. It is a place for “vacation connoisseurs,” and paying a couple of dollars for entry is worth it. The sand is clean, the strip stretches for 3 km, and the infrastructure is well-developed. The coastline is adjacent to a luxurious area where modern skyscrapers alternate with houses of national character.
Of course, there are shops – big and small, cafes, restaurants, spas, and clubs. Despite this, there aren’t many people, allowing for comfortable relaxation and swimming in clean, warm waves. It is best suited for demanding tourists who love sunbathing while enjoying luxurious conditions. The sunsets are stunning, so bring a camera.
Lummus Park
Lummus Park is best for family vacations, with entertainment for both young and old. There is a children’s town where kids can find peers and playmates. Adults and teenagers can play volleyball, rent bicycles, and engage in beach sports. The atmosphere is calm and family-friendly. It is picturesque enough to be a movie set, with white sand and turquoise water creating a beautiful contrast. It opens at 5 AM and operates until midnight.
It should be noted that rental points – including umbrellas and sunbeds – provide services until 5 PM. After that, you will have to sunbathe on a mat that you brought or directly on the sand. The cafes offer light snacks and refreshing drinks. Alcohol is prohibited, as most water-related accidents involve people swimming while intoxicated. So, it’s best to avoid strong alcohol, or you risk a fine.
Bal Harbour
Bal Harbour is one of Miami’s elite areas, and the beaches are accordingly upscale. There is a public beach, but most are private, belonging to hotels and residential complexes. It is quiet, calm, and not crowded. Cleanliness is maintained everywhere. Even on the public beach, you can enjoy all the benefits of the developed infrastructure – yacht rides, scuba diving, windsurfing lessons. There is even an open-air cinema and a jogging track. If you walk to the northern part of the recreation area and climb the bridge, you will get a magnificent view of the ocean. There is also a well-known shopping center with the same name as the beach, popular with both tourists and locals.
South Pointe
South Pointe is a pleasant place where the beach is practically combined with a park. It features beautiful colors – the usual white sand of Miami, emerald-green lawns, and vibrant turquoise water. You will see unusual modern sculptures and even a small water park. You can sunbathe on a lounger or take air baths under sprawling palm trees. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants nearby for meals, ice cream, and refreshing drinks. This recreation area was recently developed in Miami.
Walking here, you can see large ocean liners and beautiful yachts. There is a special bay where you can observe coral growth in the water. The park also has sandy dunes that not only decorate the landscape but also prevent coastal erosion. From certain points, you get panoramic views of the city or the ocean. There is a playground for children, a special pavilion with a conference room, and a fishing spot on the shore. The park is most impressive in the evening when illuminated by special light towers.
Surfside
Surfside is a well-established recreation area with miles of clean sand, clear Atlantic waters, beachfront hotels, restaurants with national dishes, and signature shops. This part of the city began development in the mid-1930s, as evidenced by the architecture of that time.
There are luxurious hotels and a public center with pools, jogging tracks, and event spaces. The coastal line is interestingly themed around sea turtle protection, with turtle sculptures and sometimes events like “Turtle Release.”
Mid-Beach
Mid-Beach is perfect for family vacations, with the smallest waves compared to other Miami beaches and shallow waters. If you like swimming in deep water, you need to go far from the shore. The white sand has plenty of shells, which children will enjoy collecting. There are seaweeds in the water and many beautiful small fish. Palm trees grow on the shore, giving the beach a true southern charm. There are enough sunbeds and umbrellas. The sun is scorching, so avoid staying out between 11 AM and 5 PM to prevent severe sunburn, even with protection.
Haulover
Haulover is one of the best beaches in the USA. It stretches for almost 2.5 km, with about 600 meters designated as a nudist area, fenced off for privacy. Like other Miami beaches, Haulover is lined with palm trees. There are many young people, but also families with children. The water is clean, with order maintained by both lifeguards and police.
Besides shallow areas, there is a section with waves for surfing enthusiasts. All necessary amenities are available, including changing rooms, showers, and toilets. You can rent umbrellas and sunbeds, and everything needed for water sports. The beach even has exercise equipment and yacht rentals. Entry is free, with only parking fees.
Matheson Hammock Park
Matheson Hammock Park is an excellent option located in Miami’s oldest park. Here, you can admire mangrove groves. Children will enjoy swimming in the pool, cleaned using natural tidal water. Another plus is the constant breeze, making the heat more bearable. There are designated picnic areas.
Facilities for water sports are available, including paddleboarding and yacht or boat rentals. You can take a sea trip or go on an excursion. The park offers great photo opportunities, and even the lifeguards are comparable to those in the popular show “Baywatch.”
Bill Baggs Cape
Located in the eponymous public park, Bill Baggs Cape is among the best beaches in the country. Big waves are rare here, as coral reefs break them up. Therefore, it is safe for children and non-swimmers. You can also boat or fish from the pier. Interesting excursions are available in the area, including visits to old cabins used by a secret organization to help slaves escape to free islands, and a lighthouse that is over two centuries old.
Oleta River
Oleta River is another beautiful option on Biscayne Bay. It is unique because there are no lifeguards, so only confident swimmers should venture into deep waters. The park offers various activities, including walking in the mangrove forest, biking on specially equipped trails, kayaking down the river, and fishing. Picnic areas with tables and grills are available. You can even rent a cabin with amenities or set up a tent for a few days.
Virginia Key
Virginia Key is an island near Miami, covering about 3.5 sq. km. It features a park with beautiful sandy beaches. The island, discovered in the mid-19th century, was initially covered in mangroves. Its history is interesting: in the mid-20th century, African Americans fought for their right to sunbathe alongside whites. The first such designated place was on Virginia Key.
Beachgoers initially arrived by boat until a toll road was completed in 1947. If you visit the island, don’t miss the chance to see the aquarium with rare fish and turtles. It is a great place to visit with children, with playgrounds full of kids. The island is also popular with surfers.
While there are hotels with private beaches, the free public ones are just as good. You only need to pay for sunbed and umbrella rentals. Changing cabins, showers, and toilets are available for free.
Lifeguards are on duty almost everywhere, and there are extensive shallow areas where even small children can safely wade. However, dangerous marine creatures sometimes enter the bay, usually jellyfish but occasionally large predatory fish. Vacationers are promptly warned about these, as well as weather conditions and underwater currents. Ignoring such warnings is not advisable.
Most Miami beaches are in areas that offer additional entertainment, whether beautiful parks or elite city districts. So, don’t spend all your time lounging on the beach – take a walk, enjoy the beautiful views, sit in cafes, and visit shops. Miami is a popular resort worldwide, and you will undoubtedly make new friends here. The only unpleasant disruption to your vacation could be hurricanes, so check the weather forecast in advance.
