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Miami Beach is one of the most sought-after vacation destinations in all of South Florida. It has an impressive amount of vacation condos and rentals that will make you stay affordable and luxurious.
And the palm trees and beach town culture there leave you with no doubt that you are on vacation and should be having fun. So if you’re planning a trip to Miami Beach, let’s help you out by exploring Miami Beach’s best beaches!
Miami Beach: Best Beaches
As a city surrounded by water and running along the Atlantic Ocean, there is no shortage of beaches to choose from while vacationing on Miami Beach.
Whether you prefer the party energy of South Beach and Ocean Drive or a more quiet experience with beautiful views and hiking, there is plenty to choose from.
Some of these beaches venture outside of Miami Beach proper and into the neighboring city of Miami itself, but they are still easy to access and beautiful beaches. So here are some of the best Miami Beach beaches.
South Pointe Park Pier
The South Pointe Pier is one of Miami Beach’s most iconic sights. The park itself is a spacious area for picnics and other activities, and the grass and the boardwalk overlook the entrance to the harbor. If you are lucky, you will even catch a gigantic cruise ship leaving the harbor—it’s a fantastic sight from the boardwalk!
And of course, just past the pier itself is South Pointe Beach, a beautiful beach with white sand and the clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean. South Pointe Beach is a quiet beach that overlooks the whole city but is more in touch with nature than some busier, party-oriented beaches.
Haulover Park and Beach
South Pointe Park is as far south as you can go on Miami Beach. And Haulover Park is just about as far north as you can go. Haulover Park and Beach are north of the hustle and bustle of Miami Beach’s downtown area, and as such, it is a quiet and peaceful place to enjoy sunbathing and swimming.
There are huge parking lots across from the beach, as well as easily accessible public restrooms. The park itself has plenty of tables and covered areas to have a picnic, and it is a scenic and family-friendly place. One detail to note about Haulover Beach is that there is a clothing-optional beach just north of the regular section.
Lummus Park Beach
Because of its use in movies and TV shows (like Miami Vice), Lummus Park Beach perfectly represents Miami culture. It is located along the iconic Ocean Drive, one of the most classic roads to walk down and enjoy palm trees and beach town culture. Although definitely geared towards tourists, there’s a ton of restaurants and bars all along Ocean Drive.
The park has volleyball nets, exercise equipment, and tons of open space for other beach activities. And it is a short walk past the dunes to get to the beach itself. It is a wide-open stretch of sand with plenty of room for sunbathing, and there are lifeguard stands so that you can safely swim.
Surfside
Surfside is a Miami Beach neighborhood in the northern part of the city, and Surfside Beach is the stretch of sand just east of it. Compared with the hustle and bustle of Ocean Drive and partying tourists, Surfside provides more of a small town oceanfront culture.
But the more local and quiet vibe doesn’t mean that tourists aren’t welcome. With lots of picnic areas, live music, and plenty of restaurants around the area, Surfside is a great way to have a more relaxing beach day!
Crandon Park
Crandon Park and Crandon Beach are both located on an island just south of Miami Beach named Key Biscayne. It takes around twenty minutes or so to get there by car, but it is well worth the trip. And unlike some of the beaches along the downtown area, finding parking is easy because there are plenty of parking lots.
The park has plenty of activities for you and your family, including a nature center, a scenic boardwalk, and a family amusement center. And of course, there is Crandon Beach itself, which is well known for having calm and clear water.
Whether you want to play beach volleyball, barbecue on the grills there, or enjoy some peaceful swimming, you will find it at Crandon Park and Beach.
Sunny Isles Beach
Venturing even farther north of Haulover Beach and outside Miami Beach proper, Sunny Isles Beach consists of two miles of public beach access. The beach space here is not as expansive as the gigantic beaches in southern Miami Beach, but the water is crystal clear, and the beaches are lined with luxurious beachfront properties.
And when you are finished with your beach day, the neighborhood itself is filled with great restaurants, museums, shopping malls, and nightclubs.
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
If you were intrigued by Crandon Park and Key Biscayne more generally, you should also consider the beautiful Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park.
It is located on the southern tip of Key Biscayne, and at the south end of the park, you can find the Cape Florida Lighthouse. After walking along the extensive nature trail, you can arrive at this iconic 1825 lighthouse for a guided tour and a scenic view.
Because this beach is more secluded and only accessible by car, you can expect a quiet and peaceful time here. While most of this park is centered around nature and activities—fishing pier, hiking trails, windsurfing, and kayaking—there is also a small stretch of beach that will be sure to give you a relaxing day.
South Beach
South Beach is one of the most popular and iconic Miami Beach beaches. Located just north of Lummus Park, South Beach attracts the largest crowds of partying vacationers. Because it is located along Ocean Drive and there are tons of bars, restaurants, and nightclubs, you can expect lots of tourists looking for that iconic Miami experience.
Parking can be tricky to find here because there is no dedicated parking lot. But if you’re staying anywhere in the main part of Miami Beach, you can access South Beach easily via walking. Expect large crowds and energetic parties here!
21st-45th Street Beach
As you venture north of Ocean Drive and South Beach, you will arrive at the stretch of beach between 21st and 45th streets.
This stretch of sand is located just east of Collins Avenue and connects to the same boardwalk that takes you down to South Beach. It continues the art deco style that is iconic on these beaches, and there are plenty of showers and shade located next to the beach entrances.
If you want a large stretch of sand like South Beach but don’t want to deal with the crowds, this beach space between 21st and 45th street is worth checking out.
Homestead Bayfront Park
Homestead Bayfront Park takes you way outside of Miami Beach, and this is a destination that will require a car. It is about an hour-long drive from Miami Beach, but if you need a break from the crowded vacation energy, this waterfront park can be a great getaway.
There is a full-service marina and a snack shack where you can enjoy drinks under the shade of palm trees. You can also take a boat shuttle to the nearby island of Elliot Key, where you can camp for a few days.
Matheson Hammock Park
Matheson Hammock Park is another destination that takes out outside of Miami Beach. It is just over thirty minutes by car, and like Homestead Park, it is a great way to take a break from the crowds of tourists on Miami Beach.
The park itself is known for its beautiful and peaceful nature, calm waters, and gorgeous views. There are tons of water activities like paddleboarding and kiteboarding here, or you can take a long walk on one of the scenic nature trails. And if you get hungry, be sure to eat some food at the famous Red Fish Grill.
Virginia Key Beach Park
Venturing back north and closer to Miami Beach, Virginia Key Beach Park is located just south of Fisher Island. It is an island park with lots of wetlands and beachfront areas to relax and sunbathe.
There is an antique carousel onsite as well as a miniature train that carries tourists around the park. And below the park, just south of the Rickenbacker Causeway, you can check out the Miami Seaquarium, one of the best aquariums in South Florida and a popular tourist attraction.
Indian Beach Park
Indian Beach Park still has the classic art deco style and expansive beaches characteristic of Miami Beach, but it also has playgrounds and lawns covered with the shade of palm trees. With plenty of park space with immediate beach access, you can think of Indian Beach Park as the more relaxing and family-friendly version of Lummus Park.
The upside of being this far north is that finding parking here is easy, primarily because of the public parking lots. And inside of this park is the famous PULSE Art Fair, which has been going strong in Miami for over fifteen years.
Ocean Terrace Public Beach
Ocean Terrace Public Beach is along Collins Avenue like Indian Beach, but further north in the North Beach neighborhood of Miami Beach. There’s usually plenty of street parking in this neighborhood, including public parking lots at affordable rates.
And if you work up a good appetite, be sure to get one of the iconic sandwiches from La Sandwicherie, located on 74th street and Collins Avenue.
North Beach
Miami Beach North Beach is located in between Indian Beach Park and Ocean Terrace.
If South Beach is the vacation-central party beach, then north beach is the quieter version where you can peacefully read your book on the less crowded beach. It has the same beautiful views, sun, and swimming, and it is a short walk to restaurants, supermarkets, and bars.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there is no shortage of amazing beaches to choose from in the Miami Beach area. Whether you are into water sports, beach volleyball, relaxing sunbathing, or party nightlife, you are sure to find something you like on Miami Beach.
So, if you’re ready to enjoy the fantastic beaches of South Florida and Miami Beach, book one of these great vacation rentals today!
