Miami is the top beach destination in the US. Tourists travel from all around the world to experience the world-class beaches found in Miami. Miami’s beaches are known for their incredible scenery, pristine condition, and lifestyle atmosphere surrounding them.
Some of the top beaches in Miami to check out are:
- South Beach
- Miami Beach
- Lummus Park Beach
- Sunny Isles Beach
- Surfside Beach
We’ll take a look at what makes each of these beaches unique and why you should add them to your itinerary the next time you find yourself in Miami.
South Beach
South Beach is the most famous beach in Miami. You can’t visit Miami without visiting South Beach to experience the beach and lifestyle attractions.
South Beach is the southern section of Miami Beach, which extends for 2.5-miles to the southernmost point at South Pointe Park. The South Beach boardwalk stretches the entire length of the beach, dividing the beach to the local attractions.
The beach is one of the prime destinations to hang out for locals and tourists. South Beach is known for its clean, white sand beach. During the peak travel season, it can get crowded with people enjoying sunbathing or water activities like swimming, jet skiing, or parasailing.
After spending some time on the beach during the day, return to South Beach to experience the most vibrant nightlife area in Miami. Many of the top clubs, bars, and restaurants line Ocean Drive are an excellent location for grabbing a drink or dancing with friends. You might even spot celebrities hanging out.
Miami Beach
Miami Beach is the name of the barrier island located off the Miami coast. While the southern end is designated as South Beach, the rest of the nine-mile coastline represents Miami Beach. You can visit the beach’s various Mid-Beach or North Beach sections for a variety of beach atmospheres to enjoy.
A four-mile-long boardwalk runs alongside Miami Beach. It’s the first place you’ll arrive at when visiting Miami Beach. The boardwalk is a popular place for exercising or people watching. Be sure to check out some of the local beach shops or grab a snack at the concession stands.
Miami Beach has incredible views looking out into the Atlantic Ocean. The beach is less crowded than South Beach, so you’ll have plenty of room for beach recreational sports or sunbathing. It’s also one of the favorite swimming and surfing spots in Miami.
Lummus Park Beach
During the 1980s, Miami Beach underwent a revival period with lots of new development. It’s when Lummus Park Beach was introduced to the city as a 74-acre urban park near South Beach. The park extends to the coast to offer a tranquil setting for relaxing and enjoying the beach.
Lummus Park Beach has ample green space – sit out for a picnic while relaxing under the palm tree shade. There are plenty of benches and sports courts for leisure games. The beach is one of the favorite places to go in the park. It’s one of Miami’s best beaches as it offers a different environment than the neighboring beaches.
Lummus Park Beach is family-friendly and is a laid-back setting for spending time on the beach. It has an extensive shoreline for fun activities like swimming, snorkeling, or building sandcastles. It also hosts the annual South Beach Triathlon racing event.
Sunny Isles Beach
If you’re looking for a place to escape the massive tourist crowds packing the beaches, check out one of the local favorites – Sunny Isles Beach. Sunny Isles Beach is located on the northern end of Miami near many of the city’s upscale residential condos.
Sunny Isles Beach ranks as one of Miami’s best beaches thanks to the fine sand – it’s perfect for walking on the beach with no sandals. Sink your feet into the soft sand as you head out to the warm Atlantic Ocean waters.
There are many activities to find at Sunny Isles Beach that make it an excellent option for all visitors. Enjoy some of the water activities or boating during your visit. There is also a kids’ play area at the Samson Oceanfront Park and the iconic Newport Fishing Pier to see what you might catch.
The beach is open to the public and welcomes over a million visitors every year.
Surfside Beach
Surfside Beach is Miami’s hidden gem that you’ll be glad you discovered. Head north of Miami Beach, and you’ll run into Surfside Beach. Since most of the crowds tend to stay towards the southern end of Miami Beach, you might have the beach all to yourself to enjoy.
Surfside Beach is one of the cleanest beaches in Miami with clear waters. The high visibility makes it great for swimming and snorkeling. The beach also has visitor facilities, including bathrooms and beach chair rentals.
A boardwalk runs alongside the wide beach offering scenic walks. There are also designated biking and running paths for recreational exercise. You’ll find several hotels, restaurants, and shops nearby, so you could spend an entire day around Surfside Beach.
The city hosts several local events at Surfside Beach. From the summer to the early fall, you might find live music performances and community picnics on the beach open for everyone.
Bonus: Private Beaches
Miami is one of the top beach destinations in the US. It’s not surprising that many beaches can get crowded during peak travel season like Miami Beach and South Beach. Most of the local beaches are lined with oceanfront hotels – the good news is that you’ll be steps away from enjoying the beach; the bad news is that they’re easily accessible for everyone.
As an alternative, consider spending time at one of the private beaches in Miami. Miami has several private islands off the coast that make fantastic tourist destinations for a more exclusive beach experience. If you’re staying at one of the upscale resorts such as the Four Seasons or the Ritz Carlton, you’ll have exclusive access to enjoy their private beaches.
Miami has several beach options to choose between – everyone can find the perfect beach for spending time. Whether you’re looking for a quiet beach to relax or an exciting atmosphere, Miami is the best beach destination in the US.