All year round, Miami, Florida is one of the greatest U.S. destinations for beach vacations.
This thriving beachy city in the Sunshine State has so many beautiful beaches that it can be hard to choose the best ones to visit on your trip.
While you might not be able to hit up all of the top beaches in Miami in one go, this list will give you plenty of options for your next vacation and vacations to come.
8 Best Beaches in Miami
South Beach
As one of the “places to be in Miami,” South Beach is a hot and happening beach with some of the finer things Miami offers.
The collection of beaches here is beautiful and well-maintained.
On top of sand, sun, and waves, you can take advantage of the hip nightlife here if that’s your scene or indulge in elegant meals prepared by celebrity chefs.
If you want to shop till you drop, the Lincoln Road Mall has everything you need to do some wonderful damage to your bank account.
For those who want to experience local arts and culture, the Wolfsonian-FIU museum’s curated exhibits of modern art and interesting items are sure to hit the spot.
Overall, South Beach is a great choice if you want to soak in beachy vibes while doing all of your favorite upscale activities.
Lummus Park Beach
Looking to be a little star-struck?
Look no further than Lummus Park Beach!
You can spot this sandy setting in plenty of famous movies and television series, such as “Miami Vice.”
From dusk to dawn, this beach has a range of activities to offer.
Beyond the usual surfing, swimming, and sand castle building, this beach lets visitors get buff with its Muscle Beach South Beach outdoor exercise space.
Families can also watch their kiddos play in the playgrounds that are specially designed for certain age groups.
To stay active and get to know more locals or tourists, you can attend a volleyball game on one of the beach’s 18 volleyball courts or simply walk around and bask in the beauty of this beach.
South Pointe Park Pier
If you’re on the “see-food” diet, the appetizing aquatic eateries at this beach are sure to please your tastebuds.
You can enjoy your own catch-of-the-day by trying your hand at crabbing in one of the many crabbing spots on this beach or let someone else do the hard work of catching the crabs while you enjoy the fruits of their labor at one of the nearby seafood restaurants such as Joe’s Take Away.
After visiting South Pointe Park Pier, you can hop to the beach’s upscale club next door at Nikki Beach.
For Miami visitors who are looking to be starstruck, the chance of catching a glimpse at a celebrity on this popular beach is half the fun.
What’s more, you can bask in the sun and lounge around in what are reported to be some of the most comfortable daybeds while you keep an eye out for your favorite Miami stars.
Haulover Beach
Whether you’re looking for the perfect place to take your family to the beach in Miami or you are planning a solo trip to a destination nude beach, Haulover Beach has plenty to offer.
With impeccable sand stretching out as far as the eye can see, this beach is a true beauty.
The conditions around this beach make it one of the greatest places in Southern Florida to fly kites.
If you don’t have a kite, you can always snag one for the day as a rental at Skyward Kites and return it before you head back to the hotel or home.
Some of the unique features of this beach include its high-end pump track, skate park, bark park, and designated area of the beach for dogs.
When talking about the amenities of Haulover Beach, we can’t forget to mention the aspect of the beach that puts it at the top of many tourist destination lists in Florida.
From lifeguard tower #12 to lifeguard tower #16, beachgoers should note that clothing is optional.
This nudist beach is a great place to let your guard down, let it all hang out, and maybe admire some beautiful nude bodies while you’re at it.
For a unique people-watching experience, Haulover Beach can’t be beaten.
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
While plenty of Florida beaches offer a modern touch that draws cutting-edge tourists to the city in droves, there’s something to be said about the well-preserved, historic Miami beach of Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park.
This beach boasts a historic landmark called the Cape Florida Lighthouse.
If you’re up for the challenge, you can make your way up the 109 steps of the lighthouse.
After all your hard work, you can relish the gorgeous view of Biscayne Bay.
You can also take a look at the lighthouse keeper’s cottage for a blast from the past.
Once you get back on the ground, you can catch some fish, catch some waves while windsurfing, or make your way across the water in a kayak.
This beach blends history with beachy activities, so it’s a great choice for history buffs who love to get moving in the great outdoors.
Mid-Beach
If you want all the perks of being near the beach without any of the messy inconveniences like getting sand in your shorts or water logging your ears, Mid-Beach, which sits between the 21st and 45th streets, is a happy medium.
As you trek down the boardwalk, you can take advantage of the beautiful view of the beaches, enjoy the smell of the ocean air, and get a bite to eat in one of the many resorts nearby.
Sometimes, a hint of the beach is all you need.
In that case, Mid-Beach from 21st to 45th streets in Miami will be a satisfying choice.
Surfside
Sometimes, when you vacation in Miami, you might want to escape the hustle and bustle.
The more popular beaches can feel claustrophobic and crowded to even the most seasoned tourist.
While this beach clocks in at under a mile in length, its tight-knit community makes this place extra special.
Every Friday in the summer, locals take to the sand to blare music, nosh on seafood, and enjoy family-friendly activities as a community every first Friday of the month between June and August.
As a tourist, you might like the small beach town feel that this beach offers.
If you just moved to Miami, this can be a great place to make friends, settle in, and build a community that will last while you’re in the area.
Crandon Park
Whether you just moved to Miami or you’re an honorary local for the day, Crandon Park will make you feel right at home as a small, local beach.
If connecting with nature is your goal, you’ll love the organized hands-on learning opportunities at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center nearby.
If you need to stay active, you can rent a paddleboard or kiteboard in the northern part of the park.
You can also practice some sick moves at the skate park in the southern section of the park.
If you just want to catch some rays and relax, Crandon Park’s chair and umbrella rentals make it easy to keep your load light while maximizing comfort at the beach.
Miami Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Miami Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
What beach do celebrities go to in Miami?
While you may be able to spot celebrities on any beach in Miami, your chances of successfully catching a glimpse of a star go up if you frequent South Beach.
Tourists and locals know this beach as a hot spot for Hollywood royalty and celebrities.
Of course, there’s no guarantee that you’ll see your favorite star at the beach.
Still, the chance that you might leave this beach starstruck makes it more than worth the trip.
To up your chances of rubbing shoulders with someone famous, you can duck into one of the famous nightclubs along Ocean Drive nearby.
Which is better, Miami Beach or South Beach?
Depending on what you want to do, different beaches will have different perks and disadvantages.
If you want to chill and soak in the sand and waves, North Miami Beach might be more your vibe.
If the thriving nightlife is what draws you to Miami, South Beach’s ample opportunities to party all night will be a better fit for your vacation goals.
What is the safest beach in Miami?
While there are plenty of safe beaches in Miami, many locals see North Beach as one of the safest ones.
It’s well-maintained and offers family-friendly sites like North Beach Oceanside Park.
What’s the best nude beach in Miami?
If you’d like to let it all hang out, Haulover Beach is one of the most famous nude beaches in Miami.
From lifeguard tower #12 to #16, you can shed your clothes and insecurities here.
