North of the busy South Beach blocks, Miami Beach becomes quieter and more residential. North Beach, Surfside and Bal Harbour offer wide, less crowded sand, oceanfront parks and a more local feel, and just beyond them Haulover Park sits between the ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway.
What to see
Haulover Beach is a long, lifeguarded public beach with plenty of parking, picnic areas and a marina for fishing and boat charters. Its northern section is one of the best-known clothing-optional beaches in the US; the rest of the beach is a regular family beach. The inlet area is popular with kiteboarders, and a kite-flying field sits on the park's bay side. Read our Haulover Beach guide for rules, safety and parking, and our guide to clothing-optional beaches near Miami.
South of Haulover, Bal Harbour Shops is one of Miami's most upscale open-air malls, and North Beach Oceanside Park offers shaded picnic spots and a beachfront walk.
Where to stay
This end of Miami Beach has larger resort hotels, family-friendly condo rentals and generally better value than South Beach, with easy beach access and less nightlife noise.
Getting there
Collins Avenue runs the full length of Miami Beach; Haulover is about 20 to 30 minutes' drive north of South Beach. Buses run along Collins Avenue, and there is paid parking at Haulover Park.
