13 Best Beaches in Miami (2026) 🏖️

The 13 best beaches in Miami for 2026, from South Beach and South Pointe to Crandon Park and Key Biscayne, checked open September 2026.

🏖️ 13 beaches · 📅 Checked September 2026

The best beaches in Miami in 2026 range from South Beach's people-watching and South Pointe's all-round setting to Crandon Park's calm family water and the lighthouse at Bill Baggs on Key Biscayne. This guide covers 13 beaches across Miami Beach, the northern beach towns, Key Biscayne, Virginia Key and Coral Gables, built from miamitourism.org's 2026 beach guide and other 2026 guides, and every one was checked as open in September 2026.

Pick your beach

• Miami Beach: South Beach, South Pointe, Mid-Beach, North Beach Oceanside Park
• North of Miami Beach: Surfside, Bal Harbour, Haulover, Sunny Isles
• Key Biscayne and Virginia Key: Crandon Park, Bill Baggs Cape Florida, Historic Virginia Key Beach Park, Hobie Island Beach
• Coral Gables: Matheson Hammock Park

Before you go

• Parking: South Beach uses metered street parking and garages, while Crandon, Haulover and Bill Baggs charge a lot or entry fee.
• Families: Crandon Park and Matheson Hammock have the calmest water for young kids.
• Watersports: Hobie Island Beach is the windsurfing spot, and Haulover gets the most surfable waves. Kiteboarding is banned at Hobie, and Miami Beach requires a city permit for it.
• Safety: bring shade and water, and check the beach flags for rip currents and jellyfish warnings.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best beach in Miami?

South Beach is the most famous, South Pointe is the best all-round beach day, and Crandon Park is the top pick for families.

What is the best beach in Miami for families?

Crandon Park, with its shallow water protected by a sandbar, and Matheson Hammock Park, with its calm atoll pool.

What is the quietest beach in Miami?

North Beach Oceanside Park, Surfside, Bal Harbour and Bill Baggs Cape Florida are all far calmer than South Beach.

Where can I take my dog to the beach in Miami?

Haulover Beach Park has a dedicated dog beach, and Hobie Island Beach is also popular with dog owners.

Is there a nude beach in Miami?

Yes. Haulover Beach Park has a clothing-optional section at its north end.

Where can I windsurf or kiteboard in Miami?

Hobie Island Beach on the Rickenbacker Causeway is Miami's windsurfing beach, but kiteboarding is banned there. Kitesurfing on Miami Beach requires a city permit, and some stretches are off-limits.

How did you choose these beaches?

Every pick comes from current 2026 sources and our own local knowledge, and each one was checked as open on Google in September 2026. See how we rank our guides for the full method.

More Miami guides

See the full list of things to do in Miami and things to do in Miami with kids, eat at one of the seafood restaurants in Miami or rooftop restaurants in Miami, and read how we rank our guides.

Compare at a glance

1. 1. South Beach (Lummus Park)

   The classic Miami beach, backed by Ocean Drive's Art Deco strip, with colorful lifeguard towers, a busy volleyball scene and the city's best people-watching.

   ✅ Best for: people-watching and first-timers · 📍 1130 Ocean Dr, South Beach

2. 2. South Pointe Beach

   The southern tip of Miami Beach, where the sand meets a landscaped park and pier with views of cruise ships heading out through Government Cut.

   ✅ Best for: an all-round beach day · 📍 South Pointe Beach, South Beach

3. 3. Mid-Beach

   The stretch in front of the big Collins Avenue resorts like the Fontainebleau, calmer than South Beach and linked by the beachwalk.

   ✅ Best for: a calmer day near the resorts · 📍 4601 Collins Ave, Mid-Beach

4. 4. North Beach Oceanside Park

   A quieter, local-feeling beach in North Beach with shaded picnic areas and far fewer crowds than South Beach.

   ✅ Best for: a quiet local beach · 📍 8328 Collins Ave, North Beach

5. 5. Surfside Beach

   A small-town beach just north of Miami Beach with a relaxed, residential feel.

   ✅ Best for: a low-key beach day · 📍 Surfside Beach, Surfside

6. 6. Bal Harbour Beach

   A quiet, well-kept stretch beside the upscale Bal Harbour resorts, with a scenic paved path for walks along the dunes.

   ✅ Best for: a quiet, upscale beach walk · 📍 Bal Harbour Beach, Bal Harbour

7. 7. Haulover Beach Park

   A large county park with Miami-Dade's most surfable waves, a dog beach, and a well-known clothing-optional section at the north end.

   ✅ Best for: surf, dogs and open space · 📍 10800 Collins Ave, Haulover

8. 8. Sunny Isles Beach

   A wide, clean beach lined with high-rise condos, calmer than South Beach and close to the Newport Fishing Pier.

   ✅ Best for: a clean, calm beach · 📍 Collins Ave, Sunny Isles

9. 9. Crandon Park Beach

   Key Biscayne's family favorite, with calm, shallow water protected by an offshore sandbar, lifeguards, picnic shelters and kayak rentals.

   ✅ Best for: families with kids · 📍 6747 Crandon Blvd, Key Biscayne

10. 10. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

    A state park at the tip of Key Biscayne with a quiet beach, mangrove trails and the historic Cape Florida Lighthouse.

    ✅ Best for: nature and a lighthouse · 📍 Key Biscayne

11. 11. Historic Virginia Key Beach Park

    Opened in 1945 as Miami's beach for Black residents during segregation, it is now a shaded park with a carousel and picnic areas.

    ✅ Best for: history and shaded picnics · 📍 4020 Virginia Beach Dr, Virginia Key

12. 12. Hobie Island Beach

    A breezy strip along the Rickenbacker Causeway known for windsurfing, with a long-running rental stand, shallow water and dog-friendly sand. Kiteboarding is banned here.

    ✅ Best for: windsurfing and dogs · 📍 Old, Virginia Key

13. 13. Matheson Hammock Park

    A Coral Gables park whose man-made atoll pool stays calm for toddlers and non-swimmers, surrounded by mangroves and bay views.

    ✅ Best for: toddlers and calm water · 📍 Coral Gables