10 Best Beaches in Miami, Florida

There is no place in the world with as many spectacular beaches of such diversity and beauty as Miami, FL. There are glamorous beaches like Lummus Park Beach just across the Ocean Drive in Miami Beach, quiet long beaches shadowed by luxury condos and resorts, windsurfers’ paradise beaches like Hobie Beach, and urban beaches like the one in Matheson Hammock Park with a man-made atoll. Here are the best beaches in Miami, Florida. Photo: dasar/Fotolia

Not far away from glamorous South Beach is the quiet and unassuming yet beautiful Bal Harbour Beach. A mile long and lined with expensive condos and luxury resorts, Bal Harbour has an air of exclusivity and privacy, although it is a public beach. Beautiful landscaping with sand dunes, lush greenery, and paths are all well maintained and add to the atmosphere.

There are no lifeguards or any other public facilities on the beach, though you can rent things like beach chair and umbrella from one of many neighborhood resorts. At the end of the Haulover channel where the beach starts to curve there is a concrete jetty where you can always see patient fishermen hoping for a catch. When you have enough of swimming or working on your tan, stroll along the walking or jogging path that stretches along the beach.

655 96th Street, Bal Harbour, FL 33154 Photo: Felix Mizioznikov/Fotolia

Crandon Beach is what outsiders imagine a Miami beach should look like: long and wide, with fine white sand and rows of hundreds of palm trees. There is always a friendly but competitive game of beach volleyball going on and often the smell of barbecue coming from one of many on-site grills. You can rent a cabana for your party, which have showers and their own picnic tables on the beach. Strolling along the beach, you can see ancient dunes, mangroves, sea grass beds, and other coastal plants. Stop by the Crandon Park Nature Center, a part of the Crandon Park, to see some exotic plants, wildlife, and rare fish. There is also Bear Cut Preserve, Environment Study Area, and a Family Amusement Center. Florida beaches

6747 Crandon Blvd, Key Biscayne, Florida 33149 Photo: Irina Schmidt/Fotolia

South Pointe Park is a 17-acre urban park in the South Beach neighborhood of Miami Beach with spectacular 360 degree ocean views. There is a huge, wide expanse of sand on one side of the park, a range of walking paths, beautiful, large grassy area, a mini waterpark for the kids, a dog park, and a kiddy lot.

As you stroll through the park, you will notice a number of modern art sculptures. Even benches/loungers look like pieces of art. From the beach, you can watch enormous cruise ships gliding by to the destinations unknown. There is also a fishing pier.

1 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139 Photo: Gabriel/Fotolia

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As you cross the Rickenbacker Causeway on the way to the heavenly Key Biscayne, you will find Hobie Beach, the main windsurfing beach in Miami. It is also known as Windsurfer Beach, a name it got from the popular local windsurfing rental shop that not only rented equipment but also taught windsurfing on Hobie Beach for over twenty years.

You can take a two-hour crash course or group lessons for a day – Windsurfers’ expert and experienced trainers will make you comfortable in no time. Hobie Beach is also Miami's favorite dog beach. The current is mild, the water is shallow, and dogs can splash in the waves to their hearts’ content. The views of the Miami skyline and the Biscayne Bay from the beach are spectacular. Photo: Albert Cheng/Fotolia

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Located in Hollywood, Florida, just off A1A, Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park, previously called John U Lloyd Beach State Park, is a popular family beach with a range of activities – fishing from the jetty or surf casting, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, picnicking, boating, and wildlife watching.

The beach has two boat ramps, picnic tables, covered picnic pavilions, and grills. Canoes, kayaks, and volleyball balls and nets are available for rent. A part of the park is Whiskey Creek, a manatee sanctuary. The best way to see them without disturbing them is to take a kayak through Whiskey Creek. Another interesting part of the park is the Dania Beach Erojacks, a barrier reef popular among scuba divers. Things to Do in Florida

6503 N Ocean Dr, Dania Beach, Florida 33004 Photo: JMichael Photography- Fotolia.com

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You have seen it in many movies – Lummus Park beach is the beach in Miami Beach Art Deco District that lines Ocean Drive and all its intense buzz. It is the most crowded of all the Miami Beach beaches and boasts fine white sand, emerald waters, and a lovely stand of stately palm trees between the road and sand.

The beach is much more popular for people-watching than swimming, unless you are a kid – there is a small playground just before the entrance to the beach for kids ages two through five. There are also nice paved paths for biking and walking, and all the restaurants and bars are just across the street.

Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, Florida 33139 Photo: dasar/Fotolia

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Located just south of Coral Gables next to Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Matheson Hammock Park is a beautiful 630-acre oasis in the heart of the city. Opened in 1930, the park has an artificial atoll pool where water comes with tides from Biscayne Bay. The pool’s shallow water is wonderful for kids or anyone learning to swim.

The beach has constant pleasant breezes and is a great spot for lounging and enjoying magnificent views. A coral rock pavilion is a nice place for a family picnic. There is a network of nature trails for a leisurely stroll through the park’s lush greenery. The beach is also popular for kiteboarding, especially for the beginners, because its waters are always calm. You can find a large full-service marina, a concession for paddleboards and kayaks, and a sailing and boating school. The original coral stone building is now a popular restaurant. Places to Visit in Florida

9610 Old Cutler Rd, Coral Gables, Florida 33156 Photo: Ana/Fotolia

North Shore Park Beach is the only beach in Miami Beach that is not overshadowed by a wall of high-rises and has the only fairly wild city park. Located a bit off beaten path, North Shore Park Beach stretches for a mile along Collins Avenue, and between the avenue and the beach you will find a small wooded park and large dunes covered by sea grapes.

The beach is long and flat, and a lifeguard is on duty every day. There are picnic tables and grills for family picnics, and a nature trail, jogging trail and bike trail. A two-block long Ocean Terrace is located on the southern end of the beach.

Collins Ave, Miami Beach, Florida 33141 Photo: Oleandra9/Fotolia

Clothing optional! This fact makes Haulover Beach so popular that over 7,000 people visit it in a single day. It has been voted as one of the world’s best nude beaches. It stretches for about half a mile between the Atlantic and Intercoastal Waterway, with fine white sand, lovely landscaped dunes, picnic areas, and open surf.

It is a great beach for swimming as well as surfing. The beach is a small part of much larger Haulover Park, but most people come for the portion of the beach where clothing is optional. You do not have to be nude to come to the beach, but if you stay clothed, you will probably be more uncomfortable than those skinny-dipping.

10800 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, Florida 33154 Photo: Click Images/Fotolia

Virginia Key Beach - North is located on historic Virginia Key, which you will see just after you cross the Rickenbacker Causeway. Virginia Key is an 82-acre barrier island five miles long and a mile and half wide with a half mile long magnificent sandy beach with stunning unobstructed views of Biscayne Bay and the ocean. There is a lifeguard on duty every day. The beach is part of the Virginia Key Beach Par, which was established to protect island’s fragile fauna and flora, as well as historic structures.

The beach became a popular family gathering spot, with an antique carousel, mini train, shady pavilions, and lovely trails through the dense vegetation. There is a nature boardwalk and a trail through a coastal hammock. The bike trail is over four miles long. The park has a number of rare plant species that were discovered during the cleanup of the invasive exotic plants, and it is a popular venue for sporting events and concerts.

4020 Virginia Beach Dr, Miami, Florida 33149 Photo: Fotoluminate LLC/Fotolia