Florida is aptly named the Sunshine State. Miami, Florida is the sought-after tourist city for both domestic and international tourists yearly. People flock to Miami for its sunshine, beaches, lively atmosphere, etc. With so many fantastic beaches to explore, you may wonder what the best beaches in Miami are? And where should I start? In this blog, we’ll tell you the best Miami beaches, the best time to visit Miami, and other practical tips. Let’s dive in!
Best Beaches in Miami Florida
What is the best beach in Miami? As a popular tourist destination, there are many distinctive beaches worth visiting. Below, we have listed the 12 top beaches in Miami best for family, couples, or just swimming. Check it out!
1. South Beach
Best For: Swimming and those who enjoy a bustling life
Highlights: Art Deco Architecture, buzz nightlife
You can’t talk about the best beaches in Miami without mentioning of South Beach. With its vibrant cultural scene and stunning coastline, South Beach is a popular hub for many fashionable people. You can’t miss this hot spot. In South Beach, you can not only enjoy the buzzing beach with blue ocean, various water activities, but also enjoy the bustling town life around there. The Art Deco architecture which features a famous two-mile stretch of white sand, offers you a lot of fun. The most iconic stretch lies between the 5th and 14th street within its 22-block span. It’s also an area where locals enjoy having fun. It’s one of the cool beaches in Miami.
2. North Beach Oceanside Park
Best for: Family with kids
Highlights: Peaceful and safe zone, white and soft sand, playgrounds, fewer crowds
North Beach Oceanside Park is a comparatively less-occupied beach area with many shades. It’s a family-friendly beach area with shaded walking trails, a bike path, a dog park, and even a playground for toddlers, making it one of the best Miami beaches. You can also have a self-made barbecue in its picnic pavilions. What’s more, the aquamarine waters here are comparable to other beaches.
3. Surfside Beach
Best for: family, couples
Highlights: pristine and untouched beach, tranquility, laid-back vibe
Surfside is the nicest beach in Miami for those who enjoy both the pristine and tranquil beach. As Miami’s uptown beach town, Surfside offers a kind of retro small-town appeal. Pack a picnic and beach blanket or simply recline on a beach chair, these are good ways to pass time quietly. One thing you’ll notice is that there are no beach chairs or umbrellas to rent, nor a food truck cart. You’ll need to bring your own food and other essentials.
4. Mid-Beach
Best for: Family, art enthusiasts
Highlights: Upscale resorts, local culture, soft sand
Mid-Beach is another candidate for the nicest beach in Miami. It includes Miami’s neighborhoods of 24th to 60th street. Mid-Beach is quieter than South Beach, and has a perfect blend of holiday and local life. There are many upscale resorts in this area, such as the Faena Hotel. You can also enjoy the most authentic local food here.
5. Bal Harbor
Best for: Couples
Highlight: Rich people hub
Bal Harbor is one of Miami best beaches for its luxury. Located in the north of Surfside, Bal Harbor is a popular hub for many affluent individuals, and millionaires. There are many upscale restaurants and also beautiful beaches where people can have fun.
6. Haulover Park Beach
Best for: Couples, those who have pets
Highlights: Clothing-optional beach, dog-friendly, tennis center, golf course
Haulover Beach is a must-visit destination because it’s the only clothing-optional beach in Florida, and was also voted the best nude beach in the world. It’s one of the top beaches in Miami for couples. Except for the beach fun, you can also play tennis and golf in the nearby tennis center. What’s more, Haulover Park Beach allows you bring your dog to the beach during designated hours.
7. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
Best for: Couples, family
Highlights: Historic Cape Florida lighthouse, broad view of the ocean
Just a 15-minute drive away from Downtown Miami, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is a romantic beach to visit. The historic Cape Florida lighthouse and incredible view of the Atlantic Ocean add a romantic vibe to this beach, making it one of the best beaches in Miami Florida for couples.
8. Crandon Park Beach
Best for: Swimmer, family, couple
Highlights: Soft and white sand, crystal-clear blue waters, beachside restaurant.
Crandon Park Beach is a great choice for a family day to unwind. You can rent out a beach chair and umbrella to bask under the sun for a whole day, or soak yourself in the clear water. The fantastic thing about this beach is that you can find a lot of food just along the beachside, which is very convenient. You can also find paddleboards for rent and other entertainment options. It’s one of the best beaches Miami for kids to go swimming.
9. Historic Virginia Key Beach Park
Best for: Family, couples, nature enthusiasts
Highlights: Possibility of seeing Manatees and other marine life, natural surroundings
Located on a barrier island, Historic Virginia Key Beach Park is famous for its rich unique culture and incredible view of the Atlantic. It’s one of the cool beaches in Miami for nature enthusiasts, as this island boasts a variety of unique flowers and plants indigenous to the area. One of South Florida’s largest mangrove wetlands can also be found here. However, the inconvenience is that the food choices here are limited, but you can bring your own food and have a barbecue here.
10. Matheson Hammock Park Beach
Best for: Younger kids
Highlights: Artificial pool, safe and shallow waters, local beach
Matheson Hammock Park Beach features a 630-acre urban park in Coral Gables. The beach is sandy and the water is shallow, making it ideal for kids to swim. Besides, Matheson Hammock features an artificial atoll, and also many snack bars, making it one of the best beaches Miami. The entrance fee is $5 on weekdays and $7 on weekends.
11. Sunny Isles Beach
Best for: Family, couple, swimming
Highlights: Quiet and clean beach
Sunny Isles Beach is a relaxed beach ideal for those seeking a quiet and laid-back day at the beach. It’s less occupied than other beaches. However, renting a Jet Ski, or a boogie boards can still bring you a lot of joy and fulfillment. The nearby park, and shaded walk path also have a good playground for kids. It’s one of the best beaches in Miami Florida.
12. Lummus Park
Best for: family with kids
Highlights: Tot Lot playground, picnic areas, public restrooms, sandy beach access
Just near the South Beach, Lummus Park is a paradise for kids. Kids can have a lot of fun on the sandy beach, and at amenities like the Tot Lot playground. There are also many covered pavilions available. There are also volleyball courts and even public restrooms. It’s one of the best Miami beaches for kids to explore.
The Best Time to Visit Miami’s Beaches
Located in the subtropical and tropical area, Miami, Florida boasts an all-year-round summer, which attracts millions of tourists yearly. However, the best time to visit Miami is from December to May, with temperatures ranging from 73-82°F(23-28°C). it’s a good time period for many people to escape the death-cold winter. In addition, many fun events like Ultra Music Festival, Miami Beach Pride, Little Havana Food and Cultural Tour, South Beach Wine and Food Festival (February), etc. are happening during December to May. The summer which spans from June to September, is exceedingly scorching for many people, and it also brings the hurricane season. So, December to May is the best time to visit the Miami best beaches, the weather is perfect and you can also avoid peak season.
Conclusion
Miami, Florida is a nice place to spend the summer. There are many of the best beaches in Miami Florida worth visiting. While chasing the thrill and fun of summer water activities, and desiring a tanned body, you should also protect yourself from sunburn and keep yourself away from the danger of the ocean.
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FAQs:
The South Beach is one of the best beaches in Miami known for its vibrant nightlife and the most crowded beach. South Beach is many people’s first destination when thinking about Miami. It offers a wide range of entertainment and food options, providing a lot of convenience for tourists.
Lummus Park is one of the best beaches in Miami for families, offering sandy access, convenient public restrooms, and a Tot Lot playground for kids, etc. The water here is shallow and clean, there are also many picnic areas for parents and their kids.
Sunny Isles Beach has one of the clearest waters among all the beaches in Miami. It’s also one of the least-occupied beaches, the water here is crystal-clear and suitable for swimming and other water activities.
The top 10 beaches in Miami are South Beach, North Beach, Mid-Beach, Surfside Beach, Bal Harbor, Haulover Park Beach, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, Crandon Park Beach, Historic Virginia Key Beach Park, Matheson Hammock Beach Park.
The prettiest beach in Miami is subjective, however, Crandon Park Beach can be account one of the prettiest beaches in Miami. The sand is clean and soft, with many coconut palm trees and crystal-clear water, allowing you to soak in water all day. Other beaches like Surfside Beach are also pretty.
There are a few beaches options for couples. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is definitely a romantic place for couples. The historic Cape Florida lighthouse adds a romantic vibe for the panoramic view of the Atlantic, a nice place for a couple to spend a tranquil day.
The safest beaches in Miami are those best for kids, or those with many lifeguards and safety facilities. Crandon Park Beach, Surfside Beach, and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, etc. are among the safest beaches in Miami. They feature calm and shallow waters, with many lifeguards on hand to ensure people’s safety.
The Mid-Beach is one of the richest areas in Miami beach, featuring many upscale hotels and houses. Additionally, Bal Harbor is another rich area in Miami beach, which is a popular hub for the wealthy and millionaires.
