21 BEST Beaches in Miami! [December 2024]

Miami is undoubtedly one of the world’s best beach destinations! Miami beaches each have something unique to offer, but they also all have one thing in common – unbeatable natural beauty! Whether you’re looking for a place to tan under the hot sun, a private escape, a party hotspot, or a palm tree-lined paradise. You’ll  be able to find all of the above on these beaches in Miami, Florida!

All beaches in Miami are open to the public, and most will have dedicated lifeguards. Miami, Florida beaches are all very well looked after, and they offer loads of great activities and attractions around them!

So, are you looking for the perfect place to have some fun in the sun? Well, look no further because our ultimate guide is here to help you find the best beach in Miami!

#1 – Lummus Park Beach –

Best Beach for Miami Tourists

• A true Miami classic
• Lined with a busy promenade

Lummus Park offers the quintessential Miami beach experience! This park beach, developed in the 1980s, is a hub of activity and fun. The beach is lined by a popular promenade where you can easily access the many great bars and restaurants that are found along it!

For a full day of beach fun, there are also areas to play volleyball, lifeguards on duty, pull-up bars, relaxing grassy areas, showers, toilets, and more. This is a well-equipped beach area with a lot going on!

Whether you want to suntan, join a popular beach activity, take photos of the palm trees, or swim in the beautiful blue water, then Lummus Park beach is the place to go!

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#2 – South Beach

Best for the Classic Miami Experience

• Miami’s most popular beach
• Found alongside the famous Art-Deco district

You simply cannot visit Miami without spending some time at South Beach. This is undoubtedly one of the best Miami beaches, and it is a truly iconic setting. The South Beach area is famous for its nightclubs, art-deco architecture, and frequent celebrity appearances.

This beach, located on Ocean Drive, is a popular and trendy destination! Of course, the facilities here are good, as are the idyllic white sands and warm waters. However, it is the entire area that makes South Beach Miami such a well-loved destination.

Be sure to enjoy the surrounding cafes, bars, parks, and fun activities available around South Beach!

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#3 – Surfside

Best Laidback Beach

• A quieter beach
• A luxurious setting

Surfside has got to make the Miami best beaches list due to its laidback vibe and relaxing beach. Surfside is a small residential community that boasts a stunning mile-long strip of beach This beach is a great place for paddleboarding or swimming in the uncrowded waters!

The best public beaches in Miami are often full of activity and surrounded by all kinds of shops, bars, and more. Surfside offers a quiet escape away from this, while still providing an idyllic beach setting.

If you want to escape the crowds and busy buzz of Miami, then Surfside is the place to go!

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#4 – South Pointe Park Pier

The Best Park Beach

• A popular community park
• Plenty of things to do around this beach

South Pointe Park Pier consists of a huge park with a fishing pier. There are loads of picnic areas and a playground that makes South Pointe Park Pier a perfect place for a little escape from the city.

This park and famous beach in Miami is a popular destination for locals and tourists. Besides the great areas to just chill out here, South Pointe also offers spectacular views of the surrounding Biscayne Bay!

There are also some excellent facilities and food options around here, making this the perfect setting for a day of fun activity. Whether you want to enjoy the peaceful park, access the popular beach, entertain your kids at the playground, or stroll along the pier, South Pointe Park is a great place to spend a day out in the Miami sun!

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#5 – Fort Lauderdale Beach

Best Promenade Beach

• A high-end destination
• Lined with an excellent promenade

If you are looking for the best beaches Miami has to offer, then Fort Lauderdale is a must! This high-end destination is lined with palm trees, luxurious properties, and a well-loved promenade. This is definitely one of the most popular destinations for those wanting to cycle, rollerblade, skate, or jog along the beachfront!

The beach itself is magnificent, with shimmering white sand, access to quality facilities and amenities. You can enjoy basketball courts, volleyball nets, clean showers, and toilets, as well as plenty of lifeguards along Fort Lauderdale Beach.

Fort Lauderdale offers one of the best beaches in Miami Beach, and it is always a popular place for those looking to enjoy the sunshine. Be sure to visit here if you want to join the busy Miami buzz!

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#6 – Mid-Beach

Best Balance of Activity

• A nice balance of activity and relaxation
• A very central Miami beach

The central section of the main beach in Miami is called Mid-Beach. This beautiful strip of beachfront is lined with some excellent hotels and resorts, making it a great place to visit for holidaymakers!

While Mid-Beach is a lot less busy than the popular South Beach, there is still a lot going on around here! You can enjoy access to many great facilities while exploring one of the more modern districts in Miami.

Mid-Beach is perfect for those wanting a picture-perfect Miami beach experience, but without the noisy buzz and nightlife of South Beach! This beach starts at around 21st Street, extending north until the well-known Fontainebleau Hotel.

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#7 – North Beach

The Best Quiet Beach

• A locals favourite
• A more quiet and relaxed beach

After South Beach and Mid-Beach lies North Beach – one of the best Miami destinations to experience the strong Latino culture here! North Beach is lined with excellent Cuban and Mexican restaurants, and it offers a more peaceful Miami Beach escape!

North Beach is a more laid back place, bringing a refreshing break from the art deco fun of South Beach. If you are looking to gain a more broad experience of Miami, then this 12-mile stretch of beach is the place to go.North Beach is famous for its soft sand, inviting waters, and chilled out atmosphere. If you are looking for a classic Miami beach day, and still want to escape the main crowds, then consider heading here!

Editor’s Note: One of the best ways to get to know Miami is through its museums.

#8 – Haulover Beach

Best Position

• A great beach for surfing
• A popular hub of activity

Haulover Beach attracts visitors due to its perfectly landscaped surrounds and picture-perfect views. This beach is surrounded by well looked after sand dunes, dotted with charming picnic areas, and has plenty of lifeguards on duty!

Beyond the natural beauty of Haulover Beach, there are a number of reasons to visit here. The beach is famous for its quality surf breaks, its weekly food truck festival, and its live music performances! You can also find a ‘clothing optional’ beach here should you be interested in those experiences or for evening out your tan lines.

Haulover Beach is perfectly located between Sunny Isles and Bal Harbour. This truly is one of the best Miami beach options out there!

#9 – Sunny Isles Beach

Best for Activities

• Home to many world-class resorts
• Loads of beachfront activities on offer

Located between Miami Beach and Haulover Beach lies Sunny Isles – a true Miami icon! This beach is a must-visit for tourists and first-timers in Miami, as it shows off some of the city’s best flashy resorts and charming tourist shops.

Due to the high-end resorts located along here, Sunny Isles Beach is the place to go for great restaurants, nightclubs, shopping, pool clubs, and more! There is a wide range of activities that can be enjoyed from the Sunny Isles Beachfront.

The beach itself is also the perfect place for sunbathing and enjoying luxurious Miami surroundings. Definitely one of the best beaches in Miami Florida!

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#10 – Bal Harbour

Best Resort Beach

• A luxurious beach
• You can access the different resort beaches along here

Bal Harbour is probably the best beach in Miami for an upscale resort experience!

You have two options when visiting Bal Harbour: either check in to one of the world-class resorts to enjoy their beach facilities for the day or grab a spot on the Bal Harbour public beach. Either way, you will be sure to be in the perfect setting for a day of sun, sand, and sea!

If you enjoy luxuries and comforts, then spending the day at a Bal Harbour beach resort comes highly recommended. You can enjoy private cabanas and lounge chairs, watersport rentals, pool access, beach bars, and more!

#11 – Hobie Beach

Best Surfing Beach

• A quality surfing beach
• Popular with Miami locals

This is one of the best Miami Beach beaches for surfers! Hobie Beach, with its awesome waves, is one of the best places to enjoy watersports and excitement in Miami. This beach is not just limited to surfers though, as you can rent jet skis, windsurfers, sailboats and more!

Hobie Beach is also a hotspot for dog walkers! This is one of the more popular beaches for Miami locals, and it is a fabulous place to visit for the hub of activity that goes on here. There are also fantastic views of the Miami skyline available from the sands of Hobie Beach!

#12 – Virginia Key Beach

Best for Families

• A very family-friendly beach
• Perfect for a beach day outing

Virginia Beach is a fun and lively place to visit – perfect for a family beach day!

This beach is widely known for its miniature train that transports visitors around. Attractions here don’t stop at the train, though! There is also a carousel, a pavilion (complete with a dancefloor), and a number of shelters ávailable for rent along Virginia Key Beach!

This beach has two big playgrounds alongside it, making this a popular family destination. The beachfront itself is completely beautiful, offering the perfect scenic escape in Miami! Keep an eye out for events here, as Virginia Beach often hosts live music performances and funfairs!

#13 – Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park Beach

Best City Escape

• Superior natural beauty
• Offers a break from the busy city

For the ultimate city escape, head down to Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park Beach!

This beach is located on the picturesque Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park – just a short ride over the Key Biscayne Bridge. For those seeking nature, tranquillity, and a real sense of escape, then this is definitely one of the best beaches near Miami!

The beach here is famous for its tall lighthouse standing alongside the shores. This is actually one of the oldest buildings in Miami and is a historic point of interest. For those seeking more than just the clean sands and warm waters of this beach, there is also the Lighthouse Cafe nearby, as well as sheltered picnic pavilions!

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park Beach is a popular spot for fishing, cycling, walking, windsurfing, kayaking, and just about any other outdoor activity that could be enjoyed along the coast!

#14 – Crandon Park

Best for Picnics

• A very peaceful beach
• The perfect place for barbeques and picnics

Located on Key Biscayne, Crandon Park is a popular destination during sunny days in Miami! Locals love visiting this park for its pretty boardwalk, nature center, and a family amusement center. However, the main attraction here is the stunning beach!

This beach is well-loved for its warm shallow waters, soft sands, and on-site grills! This is the ideal Miami destination for a beach picnic, and Crandon Park has become a very popular spot for families because of this!

Visitors to this beach can also enjoy volleyball facilities, showers, and cabanas available for rent. With all that there is to do here, it can be easy to spend the day at Crandon Park!

#15 – Matheson Hammock Park

Best Watersports Beach

• One of the best swimming beaches
• Ideal for paddleboarding

Feel like you have entered an island paradise by visiting Matheson Hammock Park! This tropical feeling beach is surrounded by palm trees, mangroves, and casual boardwalk. Matheson Hammock Park is a beach in Miami that really does have a completely unique feel!

Visitors love coming here for the still waters in the marina, and the man-made atoll pool! Matheson Hammock Park is a really popular spot for swimmers and water users due to these ideal conditions. You can find a boating and sailing school here, and there always seem to be paddleboarders or kiteboarders out on the water, too!

If you want to venture further than just the laid back beach, there are some stunning nature trails that make their way around this park. There is also an excellent seafood grill restaurant right on the beach should you start to feel peckish!

#16 – Homestead Bayfront Park and Marina

Most Peaceful Beach

• A less busy beach
• A great escape from the city

Just north of Florida Keys, you can find Homestead Bayfront Park and Marina – the perfect escape from the usual Miami tourist scene! For one of the most relaxed and holiday-friendly beaches near Miami, be sure to check this spot out.

Homestead Bayfront Park and Marina has a real tropical feel to it with all of the palm trees gently swaying along this coast. There is a full-service marina here, where you can catch a boat shuttle to Elliot Key on.

The beach has a snack bar, as well as access to plenty of great water activities. Swimming here is also particularly good, making it the perfect relaxing beach break in Miami!

#17 – Oleta River State Park

A Great City Escape

• Perfect for a day away from the busy city
• Enjoy the tranquil natural surroundings here

Located on Biscayne Bay, Oleta River State Recreational Area is the largest urban park in Florida! Needless to say, there’s  loads to do here. But of course, the long stretch of beach is the main highlight!

While you are still on Biscayne Bay, Oleta River State Park offers a complete escape from the city. You can even rent out oceanview cabins here for the weekend! Popular activities to enjoy around this park and beach include a number of stunning walking trails, cycling routes, kayak rentals, a mangrove forest adventure, and world-class saltwater fishing!

If you are looking for the quickest way to get away from the buzz of downtown Miami, then just head on over to Oleta River State Park. With its natural beauty and removed feel, this is definitely one of the most beautiful beaches in Miami!

#18 – Delray Beach

A Great Relaxing Beach

• A Miami classic
• Great for a quiet day out in the sun

Delray is located between Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach. This town is a cultural gem with a rich history, but it is the impressive beaches here that we are interested in! You can find some of the best, uncrowded strips of sand at Delray Beach!

This is the perfect place to quietly bathe in the sun between dips in the clear, blue ocean! Delray Beach is a Miami gem, and one of the best places for those not interested in the busy crowds of South Beach.

#19 – Hollywood Beach

Best Beach for Cocktails

 

• A popular place to drink cocktails alongside the beach
• Home to a well-loved promenade

Hollywood Beach is popular among the older crowd, and those seeking rum at Jimmy Buffet’s famous Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort! This isn’t to say that Hollywood Beach is not a fantastic destination for a relaxing beach day.

This strip of sand, located between Broward and Miami, is most well-known for its wide boardwalk. You could happily spend a day strolling along here, enjoying the nearby bars and restaurants, and soaking up the sun on this classic Miami beach!

#20 – Elliot Key Beach

Best Removed Beach

• A beautiful escape from Miami
• The perfect holiday beach

Although not technically part of Miami Beach, Elliott Key should still make it into this list due to its phenomenal natural beach setting!

Elliott Key is the northernmost of the true Florida Keys, and the largest one north of Key Largo. This is undoubtedly one of the best beaches near Miami, and it is the ultimate destination for a getaway!

Holidaymakers love the unspoiled beauty and tranquility that can be found at Elliott Key. Enjoy the clear waters and tropical vibes at this beach paradise. Elliott Key is a popular spot for campers, snorkelling, and a true escape from the busy city of Miami!

Final Thoughts on the Best Beaches in Miami

Miami is a beach lover’s paradise, and with so many different options here, you could spend weeks soaking up the many beaches around Miami!

Some beaches are party hotspots, some offer quiet escapes, while others are lined with high-end resorts and attractions. There are all kinds of beaches to enjoy in Miami that will suit everybody’s taste!

When visiting Miami, spending some time on the beaches is essential! We hope that this ultimate guide to the city’s many amazing beaches will help you make the most out of your time here in the ‘The Magic City’.

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