Haulover Beach

Haulover Beach is a Miami-Dade County beach park on the barrier island just north of Bal Harbour, with 1.4 miles of undeveloped sand, lifeguards year-round and parking from $7 a day. It is the easiest full beach day in north Miami: no hotel towers on the sand, plenty of room, and space for families, dog owners, kite flyers and naturists in separate, clearly marked areas.

The beach is part of 177-acre Haulover Park, which stretches from the Atlantic across Collins Avenue to the Intracoastal Waterway. It sits in our North Beach and Haulover area, about 25 to 35 minutes' drive north of South Beach depending on traffic.

Where is Haulover Beach and how is it laid out?

Haulover Beach runs along Collins Avenue between Bal Harbour to the south and Sunny Isles Beach to the north, with Baker's Haulover Inlet cutting through the southern end of the park. Areas are numbered by lifeguard tower, which makes it easy to find the section you want.

• South end (towers 1 to 3): near the inlet, the dog beach and the Bark Park.
• Middle: the main family beach, with picnic areas, concessions and chair rentals.
• North third (towers 12 to 16): the clothing-optional section, reached from the North Lot.
• Bayside: Bill Bird Marina, boat ramps, the kite shop, picnic shelters and the skate park, west of Collins Avenue.

Parking at Haulover Beach

Parking costs $7 per car Monday to Thursday and $10 on weekends and holidays, paid once for the day in the county lots. The North Lot and Lot 1 add a $1 surcharge on weekdays. Buses and RVs pay $15. Lots open at sunrise and close one hour before sunset.

The busiest times are summer Sundays from about 11am to 3pm and holiday weekends, when lots can fill and close. Arrive by 10am on those days. Choose your lot by the section you want: North Lot for the clothing-optional beach, Lots 3 and 4 for the dog areas and south picnic grounds.

The clothing-optional section

Haulover has a county-designated clothing-optional beach on its northern third, between lifeguard towers 12 and 16. Nudity is legal only inside that stretch, it is optional rather than required, and the rest of Haulover is a regular family beach where swimsuits are expected.

The section has its own lifeguards, chair and umbrella rentals, a food and drink concession, beach showers and nearby restrooms. County beach ambassadors in green safari hats explain the etiquette to newcomers. The basics are simple: stay within the marked area, don't photograph other people, and keep behavior respectful. Our guide to Miami's nude beach covers the etiquette in more detail.

Can you bring dogs to Haulover Beach?

Yes. Haulover has Miami-Dade's off-leash dog beach, open daily from sunrise to sunset, but only between lifeguard towers 2 and 3 at the south end. Outside that stretch dogs must stay leashed, and they are not allowed in the main swimming areas.

There is also a fenced Bark Park near the south picnic area, with separate enclosures for dogs under and over 35 pounds; it costs $5.47 per vehicle (the dog must arrive in the car), with entry through Lot 3 heading south or Lot 4 heading north. Bring water, waste bags and proof of vaccinations, and check the county's posted dog park rules before you go.

Lifeguards and safety

Swimming areas at Haulover are guarded year-round by Miami-Dade Ocean Rescue, and the towers fly colored flags for surf conditions. Swim near an occupied tower, and stay out of the water on red-flag days.

• Flotation devices, including pool floats and noodles, are banned in bathing areas under county code.
• Glass containers are not allowed. Treat the beach as alcohol-free and follow posted signs.
• Never swim in Baker's Haulover Inlet: tidal currents there are strong and boat traffic is heavy.
• Bring shade. Natural shade is scarce on the sand, though rentals are available.

The inlet and the Haulover Sandbar

Baker's Haulover Inlet connects the Atlantic to northern Biscayne Bay, and just inside it on the bay side lies the Haulover Sandbar, a shallow shoal where boats anchor on weekends. It is reached by boat, not on foot from the beach, and it gets crowded and party-like on summer weekends.

From shore, the inlet is good for watching fishing boats run in and out. Fishing is allowed along the cut and the bayside shoreline in designated areas with a Florida fishing license, but not in swimming areas or beside the marina. If you want to see the sandbar, a boat tour or charter is the practical way.

Kite flying, marina and other activities

Haulover's open lawns and steady sea breeze make it Miami's favorite kite-flying spot. Skyward Kites, at the southeast corner of the marina parking lot, sells kites from about $5 plus windsocks and cold drinks, and is open daily from 10am to sunset.

• Bill Bird Marina: home to a large charter and drift-fishing fleet, with half-day, full-day and night trips. Parking is free with a paid charter reservation.
• Food Truck Tuesdays: trucks, music and free parking at the marina every Tuesday from 5 to 10pm.
• Skate park and pump track: free (parking fees apply), sunrise to sunset; under-18s need a signed waiver.
• Bike rentals: standard and electric bikes from a rental stand in the south picnic area.

Is Haulover Beach worth the trip?

Yes, if you want a long, uncrowded-feeling beach with cheap parking and room to spread out. It lacks South Beach's people-watching and Art Deco backdrop, but it beats it for families, dog owners and anyone tired of feeding hourly meters in South Beach. Pair it with lunch in Sunny Isles or Bal Harbour, or compare it with the calmer water at the Key Biscayne beaches.