8 Most Amazing Beaches In Miami

Miami beaches are the best in the land. Ask any tourist strolling down Ocean Drive in Miami’s Art Deco district or a pup-toting local making their way to a dog beach in Miami and both will confirm that our shoreside is the most magnificent part of our city. Folks travel from all over especially during Spring Break, to visit them. The reason? They’re beautiful. But that’s not all. The best Miami beaches also come in many different flavors, too. Looking for a party scene? Hit South Beach. Interested in something more serene? Try Surfside. The truth is, regardless of the type of beachgoer you fancy yourself, Miami’s got the right stretch of ocean for you.

# 21st–45th Street Beach

When you need a break from the sand, you can stroll down the Miami Beach boardwalk, which runs through this strip of beach and makes for a great jogging or people-watching spot. This beach also overlaps with some of the area’s best hotels, such as the Miami Beach EDITION and the Faena Hotel.

# Lummus Park Beach

This might not be for the person craving a laid-back beach day but it can be a blast — especially for the Spring Breaker looking to get into some fun. The LGBTQ beach at 12th Street is always poppin’ too.

# South Pointe Park Pier

Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and Government Cut channel, it makes for a wonderful respite from the urban madness. During stone crab season, you’ll find plenty of locals hoisting bags of claws and other goodies from nearby Joe’s Takeaway for a beachside picnic at the park.

# Haulover Beach

Other than the natural beauty, about 30 minutes north of Lincoln Road, Haulover has a nude beach (between the two northernmost parking lots), a gay nude beach (north of the lifeguard tower) and an always-adorable dog park/beach (between Lifeguard Towers two and three). Sounds fun, huh?

# Surfside

Summer Fridays are a real thing in Surfside, where communal beach picnics happen all along the sand. It’s mostly residents who gather to listen to music, feast and participate in kid-friendly activities.

# Sunny Isles Beach

Architectural kitsch and older tourists once prevailed here, but an effort to change its reputation has seen a luxury beachside condo boom. So if you’re feeling fancy, this is the beach for you.

# 46th–63rd Street Beach

Pleasant, not too crowded and very family-oriented, with a play area at 53rd. On the downside, the otherwise vibrant Collins Street morphs into a soulless backdrop of bland condos around here with a few big-name hotels from Miami Beach’s golden era sprinkled in-between.

# Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

The beach is wide and overlooked by a historic lighthouse (one of the oldest structures in Miami). Fishing, kayaking, windsurfing and cycling are all encouraged at this active beach. Pavilions offer a picnic shelter and the nearby Lighthouse Café is good for a solid lunch.