The best beaches in Miami for an idyllic day on the water

Good for: If you don’t know where to start with Miami’s ample beach offerings, start here.

Why go? Spanning 5th to 15th Streets along Ocean Drive, Lummus Park is your go-to for incredible views, clear water and a buzzy vibe—and your buddies will all be impressed you went there. That’s right, Lummus Park made South Beach famous. It’s been the backdrop for multiple movies and TV shows, and it’s got that distinctly ’90s nostalgia about it. It's also home to major Miami Beach events like Art Basel Miami Beach satellite fairs, Miami Design Preservation League’s Art Deco Weekend, the Hyundai Air & Sea Show and the South Beach Wine & Food Festival’s Grand Tasting Village.

Good for: Crandon Park is a classy beach with postcard views of Key Biscayne, plus tennis, golf and a marina. This is 100 percent a locals' park, a family favorite for sandy barbecues and reunions. But there is SO much to do here, especially for nature enthusiasts.

Why go? Enjoy kid-friendly, hands-on learning at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center, explore the ecosystem with a light hike through Bear Cut Preserve or walk the ruins of the abandoned Crandon Park Zoo. You could rent kiteboards or paddleboards in Crandon Park North, or circle around the skatepark or carousel at Crandon Park South. But, if vegging out all day is more your speed, Crandon has umbrellas, chairs and oceanside cabana rentals on the South side, as well as a few delicious beachside restaurants where you can order casual eats and even a plate of paella delivered to you on the sand.

Good for: Miles of perfect sand and surf, plus ample parking, make Haulover a great family beach.

Why go? It’s one of South Florida’s best places to fly a kite (which you can rent from Skyward Kites since 1992), and it boasts a state-of-the-art skate park and pump track. There’s also a bark park and designated dog beach where pups can frolic off-leash between lifeguard stations #2 and #3.

But maybe what’s most notable about Haulover Beach is what you can’t see: clothing! Between lifeguard towers #12 and #16 you’ll find one of the most well-known nude beaches in the world. Rent a chair, grab some concessions and enjoy the breeze on your bits.

Good for: This urban park sits at the very bottom of Miami Beach and is great for up-close views of the cruise ships sailing in and out, epic sunsets and a family-friendly day on the water.

Why go? There’s a picnic area, a playground and plenty of spots for going crabbing, as well as a 450-foot-long pier. When you and the kids get a little hungry, check out the historic Joe’s Take Away for the freshest seafood for your beach picnic. If you’re sans children, a sunset cocktail at Smith & Wollensky's iconic outdoor bar may be in order. And be sure to stop by Nikki Beach next door for the softest day beds and possible celebrity sightings. 

Go on an Art Deco bike tour of Miami.

Good for: You want the ocean, but you’re not trying to do Ocean. It's less crowded, easier to find parking than in South Beach and more family-oriented.

Why go? Locals know to head to Mid-Beach between 24th to 60th streets. Here, you can take a romantic stroll down the Miami Beach boardwalk, a perfect place to people watch and peek into all the fancy resort and condo pool decks. You could also pop into any of the resorts for a bite, including the Miami Beach EDITION and the Faena Hotel. A bit further north, once you hit the mid-40s, the vibe becomes more family-oriented. Most people will stick around Indian Beach Park (at 46th Street), where there’s a public lot and playground, though there are other kids' play areas and parking around 53rd Street.

Good for: Nature-lovers and active types.

Why go? A short drive over the Key Biscayne bridge feels like a world (and century) away from modern-day Miami. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is anchored by Miami-Dade’s oldest structure: the historic Cape Florida Lighthouse. Climb all 109 steps of this 1825 structure to get a panoramic view of Biscayne Bay and tour the lighthouse keeper’s cottage to revisit Florida’s past. Be sure to stick around for sunset at The Cleat, a chill beachside grill where you can enjoy a fresh catch with your toes in the sand.

Good for: It’s all chill times and good vibes in North Beach, another one of Miami's locally loved stretches of sand with so much to offer. To walk around the area is to glimpse the beach in its sleepier days, with plenty of small Art Deco buildings, mom-and-pop restaurants, dive bars and small touristy shops.

Why go? North Beach Oceanside Park is the star of the show here with its expansive green space, dog beach and laid-back feel, though the best time to come out is during full moons for its legendary full moon party at 80th Street and Collins Avenue. Ocean Terrace Public Beach on 76th is also a nice little section, with the beachfront Taquiza taco joint and the Miami Beach Bandshell nearby, as is Allison Park with its turtle sculptures and play area.

Good for: Small-town vibes. Everyone knows each other in this sleepy residential enclave that’s less than a mile long. 

Why go? For a more authentic, family-friendly beach town ambiance that's easier on the wallet. Though Surfside is also home to one of the area's grandest resorts, the Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club, which houses famous chef Thomas Keller's Surf Club Restaurant, among other fabulous drinking and dining destinations.

Good for: This is the beach to take your rum-loving uncle. He’ll love this pretty beach and charming Broadwalk, catering to longtime locals and a more mature crowd.

Why go? Sandwiched between Fort Lauderdale and Miami, Hollywood Beach has always been famous for its wide Broadwalk where you can stroll or rent four-wheeled multi-passenger bikes. More recently, it’s known as the home of Jimmy Buffett’s humongous Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort. Stop by for a few rum runners after the beach or—better yet—grab the best burger in town over at the famous Le Tub Saloon.

Good for: Feeling bougie, hitting the spa after your day at the beach.

Good for: a unique beach day with a side of history, that's conveniently located minutes from Downtown and Brickell.

Why go? You can head to Virginia Key for more than festivals and special events. Once Miami’s “Colored Only” beach, it holds a special place in this city’s history. Reopened in 2008, Virginia Key boasts serene ocean views plus some other fun features, like a mini train through wetlands, biking trails, kayaking, paddleboarding and adorable beachside cabins you can rent in all the colorful hues of the Caribbean.

Good for: Dubbed Little Moscow for its large concentration of Russian expats, this is where you go when you’re craving calm but feeling luxurious.

Why go? Architectural kitsch and older tourists once defined Sunny Isles, but the past two decades have brought a luxury beachside condo boom to this two-mile-long town. There are plenty of fine dining establishments and a few worthy resorts, though you could also keep it low-key by strolling down the classic Newport Fishing Pier or taking the kiddos to Samson Oceanfront Park.

Good for: This peaceful, circular swimming area is great for those who don’t have the energy or ability to trudge through beach surf.

Why go? Tucked behind the lush mangroves and banyan trees of Old Cutler is a man-made atoll pool flushed by the tidal action of Biscayne Bay. When you get hungry as the sun sets, make your way over to the swanky NOMA Beach at Redfish for fresh seafood, great wine and the kind of ambiance that will solidify your love for this city.

Good for: Sporty types who to hit the beach quickly, without a long trek to the sand. Private and group windsurfing lessons are also offered here.

Why go? This slim and teeny tiny swath of beach is a paradise for local windsurfers, and rentals for these as well as jet skis and sailboats, are all available onsite. It’s also one of Miami’s few dog-friendly beaches, so expect lots of canines splashing around in the shallow waters.

Good for: On days when the Miami crowds just won't quit, you'll want to take the drive north for this postcard-perfect beach.

Why go? While not technically a Miami beach, our northern neighbor’s shoreline is worth touting for its wide and handsome sandy strip and brick promenade that's ideal for skaters, joggers and cyclists. It comes complete with bronzed lifeguards and coconut palms, and draws an altogether more laidback crowd than the beaches in Miami (except during Spring Break). Just looking to cruise? Fort Lauderdale Beach offers direct water views from the street—like driving down the Pacific Coast Highway without all of the cliffs.