The 12 Best Beaches in Miami, Florida

The buzzing nightlife and white sand beaches of South Beach are synonymous with Miami. This iconic beach stretches from the southern tip of Miami Beach to 23rd Street, and is fringed with the top-end bars, Art Deco buildings and boutiques for which Ocean Drive is famous. After a day in the sea, sit at one of the many beachfront restaurants selling oversized margaritas, and gaze out at the sparkling waters until the sun goes down. Recommended by Madhuri Chowdhury

If you’re looking for something between the party atmosphere of South Beach and the peace and quiet of a more secluded stretch of sand, visit South Pointe. Located at 1 Washington Ave, the beach boasts a quieter environment, so if you’re looking for a lovely area in which to stay while you’re on vacation, be sure to check out the hotels in this part of the city. You’ll get a great view, access to a gorgeous beach and great dining options, including the famous diner hangouts Big Pink and Joe’s Stone Crab.

Located on a barrier island with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Intracoastal Waterway on the other, Sunny Isles Beach, found in northeast Miami, offers stunning views, beautiful sunsets and great hotel options like the Faena. It’s also home to some great spas, such as Aveda Seven Seas Spa and the Tierra Santa Healing House. Choose this part of the beach if you’re looking to melt your stress away.

Nestled on Key Biscayne, the scenic Crandon Park boasts miles of pristine white sandy beaches, dunes and seagrass for hikers to explore. While on a walk, visitors can spot wildlife such as ospreys, herons and sea turtles that are native to South Florida. The beach also offers on-site tennis, golf and watersports such as kayaking and paddleboarding.

If you’re looking to hit the beach for a dose of vitamin D but don’t want to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of other, busier beaches, then Virginia Key is for you. This stretch of beach offers free parking, a dog beach, shady palms, concessions like frozen lemonade and snacks, water sports rentals, hiking trails and places to have a picnic. Many people choose to jog and cycle along the sidewalk that runs past the beach and over the Rickenbacker Causeway. This sandy destination is a perfect place to bring a towel or beach chair, a good book and a snack (or some beers), then just sit back and relax.

The thing that makes Bill Baggs stand out is the fact that it is home to an old lighthouse, so it makes for some great pictures. However, the lighthouse isn’t the only thing that makes it special – the beautiful sunsets that are visible from this beach make it a place to remember. If you’re looking for a place to go for a romantic walk, open a bottle of wine on a picnic blanket and watch the sunset, this is the spot for you.

Boasting beautiful sunsets, Matheson Hammock Park Beach is great for a group of friends who want a relaxing afternoon before they hit the parties later on. Located just south of Coral Gables, this beach is a great place to relax if you’re staying in the area, which includes Coconut Grove or Kendall. Grab a book and some sunscreen, and get ready to enjoy a pleasant swim and breathtaking watercolor sunsets.

Bal Harbour is the beach you go to when you want to brag to all of your friends on Instagram that you’re living like a movie star. You’ll get to bask in the golden Miami sun until you get a beautiful bronze glow, then shop the top luxury fashion brands in the world, among them Alexander McQueen, Céline, Bvlgari, Chloe and Chopard. There are also great spas like Remède Spa, Exhale Bal Harbour and Mana Spa and Wellness that line the beach, as well as esteemed restaurants, including the upscale Japanese Makoto or the elegant Italian Café Ragazzi.

North Beach is the ideal spot for those looking for a chilled out afternoon in the sun. The beach has a beautiful oceanfront park adjacent to it, where you can go on walks or bike rides; or make use of the outdoor grills and have a picnic. The park is dog-friendly, and you can even take your pet to the beach as long as they’re on a leash. Stunning views of the Atlantic, historic Art Deco architecture and lush greenery make this a classic Miami day out. Recommended by Madhuri Chowdhury

Forgotten your swimsuit? No problem. Haulover Beach, just North of Bal Harbour, is home to Miami’s only nudist beach. As Florida’s best-known nude beach, it regularly makes it onto roundups of the top nudist beaches in the world. If baring what your mama gave you doesn’t entice, Haulover Beach is also popular with surfers, and the oceanfront park nearby with outdoor grills is perfect for a picnic. This is also one of Miami’s best dog beaches, with plenty of places for your pup to run off leash. Recommended by Madhuri Chowdhury

Tucked away between North Beach and Bal Harbour, Surfside is a small beachside town with just 6,000 residents. This is a great beach for those looking to get away from the hectic shores of South Beach, for a more tranquil experience akin to being on a private beach. Surfside is especially popular with families and fitness enthusiasts, who come here to run or bike on the oceanfront paths. Other activities include paddle boarding and kite surfing. Recommended by Madhuri Chowdhury

For those who want to drive away from Miami and explore the Western shores of Florida instead, Naples Beach is a breezy bet. A part of Florida’s Paradise Coast, which also includes Marco Island and the Everglades, Naples is home to some of the state’s most breathtaking natural beauty. Vanderbilt Beach is one of the most popular here: it’s open to the public, and offers direct access to the Gulf of Mexico. The host of amenities, including restrooms and showers and handicap access, make this a comfortable place to spend the day before hitting a north Naples restaurant for an evening of wine and seafood. Recommended by Madhuri Chowdhury