Guide to Miami Beaches

Miami beaches offer sun worshippers popular and well-know spots as well as several less trafficked beaches for those that want the island getaway feel.

South Beach

South Beach tops the list of Miami beaches and is the center of Miami beach culture. Tourists and locals are drawn to this very social center of outdoor beach life. Any day of the week the beach is filled with countless toned and tanned bodies. It is a great place to join a game of beach volley ball or to relax after a day of sightseeing. The beach features plenty of concession stands, water sport equipment rentals and lifeguard towers.

Bal Harbour Beach

Bal Harbour is the perfect beach to feel as if you have escaped to your own private island. Although there are no lifeguards, the beach features a tropical feel with palm shaded paths, a jetty for fishing and plenty of places to enjoy a great book. Since there is only limited metered parking, the number of people at the beach is always relatively low.

Hobie Beach

For those who enjoy water sports, Hobie Beach is the most favored of Miami beaches. The secluded inlet allows windsurfing as well as other water sports. Along with equipment rentals, concession stands and lifeguards, the beach also features showers, restrooms and beachside parking.

Bill Baggs State Park

Home to the famous Cape Florida Lighthouse, this is one of the most famous of Miami beaches. Once you are don enjoying the radiant sun and fabulous surf, you can spend some time touring the historic lighthouse. Fishing is also allowed from the seawall and if you do not have any luck, there is a full service restaurant where you can enjoy some fish and chips.

Crandon Park Beach

Unlike other Miami beaches, Crandon Park Beach is a protected lagoon style beach. This Miami beach is perfect for a family getaway and has every amenity needed to create an ideal day at the shore. Kids can enjoy the playground and carrousel while you prepare lunch at the picnic area, or grab a treat at the concession stands. There are plenty of bike and hiking trails to keep the family busy once they tire of the water. In addition to water sport equipment rentals, beach wheelchairs are also available, making the area truly accessible. There are great shaded areas, restrooms, showers, and most importantly, lifeguards and beach patrol.

Oleta River State Park

Oleta River State Park is one of the most popular of Miami beaches for boating and kayaking and boating. The park is a perfect location for a day of fun, or for an extended stay in one of the sleeping cabins. There are many shade shelters, picnic areas, barbeques and trails to explore. Park visitors also appreciate the umbrella and chair rental facilities, as well as the conveniently located restrooms and showers.

Virginia Key Beach North

For those looking for a little more than just sun and surf, Virginia Beach North not only has wind surfing but ultra light seaplane rentals as well. Lifeguards are close at hand and the restroom, showers, and concession stands are all very conveniently located.

Virginia Key Beach South

Located east of Biscayne Bay, this is the only one of the Miami beaches to allow dogs. More secluded than most of the other Miami beaches, beachgoers enjoy shaded areas, nature trails and a nearby bird sanctuary. Fishing is allowed but if you don't have any luck, the concession stands have a great selection of treats.

Miami beaches have a feel all their own and offer so much more than sun and surf. Whether you want to join the tourist scene, or want to find an out of the way place to soak up the Florida sun, you find the perfect beach in Miami.

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