SOUTH BEACH
It is the most popular in Miami. It is located on Ocean Drive, on the other side of one of the busiest streets with restaurants, bars and nightclubs. It is actually between South Pointe Park (to the south) and Lummus Park Beach. You have a lot of services to be able to spend the day with family, friends or as a couple.
Parking is paid and it is difficult to find a place.
LUMMUS PARK BEACH
The typical image of volleyball players, lifeguards, people walking around, skaters, topless tourists, is right here. The busiest area of South Beach. It is a park that is located in front of the beach where you have public bathrooms and paved walkways. Lummus is located a short distance from Ocean Drive, an avenue full with restaurants, cafes and shops. On 14th street you can see one of the typical lifeguard houses but with a circular roof.
SOUTH POINT PARK
Located at the southern end of Miami Beach, this beach is part of a sprawling, green park with several picnic areas, a playground, and a fishing pier. On one side of the park, you can see this beach with transparent waters from where you can see an excellent sunset. It has showers and it is not difficult to park nearby. Unlike the beaches that are further north, this one is ideal if you look for more peace and quiet.
MID BEACH (BETWEEN 23th ST. AND 45th ST.)
A fairly quiet area too, with fewer beach bars. It also serves as a backdrop for some of the most luxurious hotels and exclusive beach clubs. The Miami Beach Broadwalk runs through the area, turning into a paved surface as it heads south on 23rd Street, so it's always packed with joggers and skaters.
NORTH BEACH (BETWEEN 46th ST. AND 63th ST.)
Quieter, for a more familiar plan. Here the beach is narrower and the buildings of the big hotels from Miami's golden age are very nearby. It is easier to find parking here but perhaps the beach is not as beautiful as the others.
NIKKI BEACH
One of the top beaches in Miami. It is a beach club with large lounge chairs and fabric structures instead of umbrellas, with a restaurant with excellent cuisine where you can eat and drink by the edge of a large pool with sea views. There are usually several parties.
In any case, it has a combination of luxury and family life that only they can achieve.
This was the first Nikki but there are 13 around the world, some of them in Spain, France, Morocco and Turkey.
It all started as a family therapy to get over a terrible loss. In May 1997, Jack Penrod's daughter, Nicole, was killed in a car accident. "In the midst of that pain, her father decided to commemorate Nicole by building a private garden in South Beach with everything he liked: butterflies, sunflowers, the sea breeze." That Nikki Café in Miami was designed so that his friends and family could meet and share good times.
One day, two well-known businessmen from the fashion world suggested them to open it to the public once a week. "We thought that Nicole, who was always cheerful and dreamed of being a model, would have liked the idea, so we agreed." It soon became the meeting point for celebrities. Al Pacino, Cameron Diaz, Harrison Ford and Oliver Stone were often seen around.
HAULOVER BEACH
It is located in Miami Beach, between Sunny Isles Beach and Bal Harbour.
It is known as the only legal nude beach in Miami (only the northern part of the beach is nude). Great spot if you are a lover of surfing and sports/activities in general because you have: tennis courts, kite areas, golf, etc.
Like many other beaches, parking is paid.
SURF SIDE
A small residential enclave, it looks like a small beach town. It is very quiet with a real neighborhood feeling.
SUNNY ISLES
It is past Haulover, and there are two kilometers of public beach with souvenir shops and hotels. American retirees have occupied this place, but in an effort to change its reputation, the place has recently undergone a boom in luxury beachside condominiums. Today, Sunny Isles Beach looks more like mid-Miami Beach than the low-rent retirement community it was from World War II until just a few years ago.
VIRGINIA KEY BEACH
It is one of the most interesting beaches in South Florida, located off the Rickenbacker Causeway, near the Miami Aquarium.
It is one of the coastal areas most frequented by tourists and the inhabitants of Miami due to its good location, but that does not take away its charm. If you want you can walk away a little bit and you can find quieter places and areas away from the crowd.
Dogs (on a leash) are allowed in the south zone. In the north you find a place for windsurfing practice.
On this beach you can also find any type of service such as restaurants, beach bars, showers, shade rental...
KEY BISCAYNE
To get to this island you have to cross the Rickenbacker Causeway, a street elevated above the sea from where you have a view of Miami from another side. The Biscayne area is known by very beautiful white sand beaches, green parks and residential areas with incredible houses.
BILL BAGS:
It is located at the southern end of Key Biscayne, where the famous Cape Florida Lighthouse is located. It is a very quiet natural park with a narrow beach and a perfect mix of vegetation and sea.
CRANDON PARK BEACH:
It is a very large public beach. It has paid parking and restrooms. Also tables and grills under the palm trees in case you want to put together a meal. If you want to be quieter, you can walk a little further away. It is very large and people gather as soon as you get out of the parking lot.
Beyond the beach you can tour the natural park. The two most interesting points are: The Biscayne Nature Center and the Bear Cut Nature Preserve.
HOMESTEAD BAYFRONT
It is located in the southern part of Miami County, right next to Biscayne National Park. If you're looking to completely get away from the crowd, this is a great option.
This park is famous for its coral reefs.
MATHESON HAMMOCK PARK
Hidden in Old Cutler Road, it is a perfect beach for families with children. Due to its formation there are parts that remain as pools without waves. The park is a kind of maze, so turn left towards the forest until you reach the parking lot near the showers.
To enjoy the views of Biscayne Bay, it is best to take a walk around "the pool" until you reach the Tenerife Reflecting Point, an area with benches surrounded by coral rocks. Matheson Hammock is also the perfect spot for fishing, picnics, kayaking, and kiteboarding.
HOBIE BEACH
This is one of the best beaches to go with dogs because it has shallow waters that allow them to have more safe fun.
There are small beach bars to have a drink and rest from the sun. If you are looking for some water activity, on the beach you can rent mini catamarans.
NAPLES
Not in Miami, but we wanted to recommend another Florida beach that stands out above the rest: Naples.
In Miami (southeast Florida) the coast faces the Atlantic Ocean. In the southwest, the coast faces the Gulf of Mexico.
Although both are very pretty, the gulf is prettier and the beaches are much better. If you are already tired of Miami and looking for a quieter place, do not hesitate and drive to the west coast, you will not regret it.
SIESTA BEACH
Another southwest side option, located in Sarasota. Siesta Key is one of the best beaches in Florida where you can watch the sun go down right into the Gulf. In addition, it has the softest sand on the entire coast. It is white quartz sand, bathed in crystalline waters that will undoubtedly make you fall in love.
It's a bit far from the city of Miami, but it's worth it!
OTHER USEFUL GUIDES
The art district: Wynwood
All the best Buying Tips
Where to go out at night - Bars, Rooftops and Nightclubs