Best Beaches in Miami

Between 5th and 23rd Streets, an oasis of white sand and candy-coloured lifeguard towers stands as Miami's most iconic beach. During the day, it's a sun-drenched paradise where bronzed souls and banana reefs overlap with an underwater coral city. The Boucher Brothers offer a range of water-based excursions including snorkelling, windsurfing and kayaking. At night, it's a festival of neon lights, buzzing bars and glamorous events. On Ocean Drive, between 5th and 15th Streets, you'll discover quirky, artistic architecture, glitzy restaurants and a picturesque atmosphere. South Beach is where all the action is!

The beaches spanning from 23rd to 63rd Streets evoke a sense of sophistication with their talcum-soft sand nestled in the heart of Miami. Positioned between the vibrant south and the serene north, Miami's mid-beaches are adorned with luxurious hotels like the Faena Hotel and Fontainebleau Miami Beach. Meanwhile, Hollywood Beach is awash with charming ice cream parlours, lively music and chic bars, while Fort Lauderdale Beach stretches for seven miles, offering pristine sands and a plethora of water excursions.

To start with, you can enjoy the Atlantic Ocean with your four-legged friend, as this beach has a section reserved for off-leash pets! Located in the beautiful and adorable 177-acre Haulover Park on Miami's North Shore, you can patrol between the second and third lifeguard houses and let your furry companion have fun digging holes in the sand! Then, between towers 12 and 16, you'll find a world-famous nudist beach.

Rich in beauty, with the largest mangrove forest in Florida, Virginia Key Beach offers the shimmering colours of the Caribbean. Once Miami's 'coloured-only' beach, it holds a special place in cultural history and offers breathtaking views of the bay itself and the Atlantic Ocean, set against a backdrop of lush palm forests. As vending machines are sometimes limited, it is advisable to take a packed lunch with you.

Enjoy the upmarket lifestyle of exclusive Bal Harbour beach. Located just above Surfside, it's the epitome of designer names such as Chanel, Rolex and Valentino, accompanied by elegant restaurants and a sleepy fisherman's jetty. Parking to access this glittering beach can sometimes be tricky. Rest assured, you can park closer to Surfside and take a scenic walk along the coastal path.

Nestling between Bal Harbour and North Beach, this small fringe of sugar-sweet sand is a local favourite for a relaxing day at the beach. The long stretch of pristine bay is home to a number of large hotels with a bohemian, Caribbean vibe. There is also a fishing pier. On the first Friday of the month between June and August, locals gather to listen to music, drink and feast on a summer's night.

We're not saying it's humanly possible to get tired of bustling South Beach, but if you're in the mood for a little rest, Miami North Beach is well worth a visit. Green awnings line the turquoise waters that melt into silky sand. Take a stroll along the coast and enjoy crispy tacos at Taquiza. Relax and wiggle your toes in the sand as you listen to the sound of the waves crashing against the shore. Put on your sunglasses and head between Miami Mid Beach and Surfside for a moment of relaxation.

Ocean Terrace beach is well worth a visit, combining palm trees, white sand and shallow waters. Here you can swim until sunset with a drink and listen to the sound of the waves crashing against the shore.

Huge palm trees and clear waters dominate Miami's southernmost tip. South Pointe Beach is part of a 17-acre water park located between the southern tip of Miami Beach and 5th Street. Here you'll find restaurants under the sun, a gym for the kids, a bark park for the dogs and winding walkways along the vast expanses of white sand. While you're there, you can't miss the 450ft South Pointe Pier, which is packed with fishing spots. Last time we checked, the area closest to the water's edge was covered in beach grass in the expanse of sea turtle habitat! These magical creatures can be easily disturbed at night, so we advise you to meet them during the day.

Located on Key Biscayne, this is the Miami beach you've seen in the movies, offering exactly what you'd expect! Dive into the underwater ecosystems, wander among the ruins of the abandoned Crandon Park Zoo, or simply relax on an Instagram-worthy beach. Rent a cabana under the shade of lime trees and umbrellas for the perfect lounging spot.