At a glance
- Best for first visits: South Beach at Lummus Park
- Best for families: Crandon Park or South Pointe Park
- Parking: South Beach meters $4/hour; county beach lots $7 to $10 a day
- Heads-up: no alcohol, smoking or glass on Miami Beach city beaches
The best beaches in Miami depend on what you want from the day. South Beach (Lummus Park) is the classic people-watching strip, South Pointe suits families, Haulover and North Beach are calmer, and Key Biscayne's Crandon Park and Bill Baggs offer gentler water and more space. All have lifeguards on their main swimming areas.
Below we compare the main beaches, explain the rules that catch visitors out and point you to our detailed guides.
Which Miami beach is best for you?
Pick South Beach for atmosphere and walkability, Key Biscayne for families and calmer water, Haulover for a big county park with easy parking (and the clothing-optional section), and Virginia Key or Hobie Beach for watersports or a beach day with the dog. Mid-Beach and North Beach are the quieter middle ground.
| Beach | Best for | Parking (checked Oct 2026) | Facilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Beach / Lummus Park (5th to 15th St) | First visits, people-watching, Ocean Drive | Street meters $4/hour, plus city garages | Lifeguard towers, public restrooms, walkway, nearby food |
| South Pointe Park | Families, sunset, watching cruise ships | Paid lots and meters | Playground with splash zone, restrooms, open lawns |
| Mid-Beach (about 23rd to 63rd St) | Hotel guests, quieter sand, boardwalk walks | Meters about $3/hour east of Collins | Lifeguards, beachwalk, hotel concessions |
| North Beach (63rd to 87th St) | Locals' feel, lower parking costs | Meters about $1/hour | Lifeguards, park space, fewer services |
| Haulover Beach | Space, kite flying, clothing-optional north end | $7 Mon to Thu, $10 weekends and holidays | Year-round lifeguards, concessions, chair rentals, grills |
| Crandon Park (Key Biscayne) | Families, calm shallow water | $7 Mon to Thu, $10 Fri to Sun (plus tax) | Two miles of beach, concessions, cabanas, picnic areas |
| Bill Baggs Cape Florida (Key Biscayne) | Lighthouse, nature, fewer crowds | $8 per vehicle park entry | Restrooms, showers, two cafes, fishing pier |
| Virginia Key Beach Park / Hobie Beach | Watersports, dog-friendly sand (Hobie), history | Virginia Key: $5 Mon to Thu, $10 Fri to Sun; Hobie: roadside | Virginia Key: carousel, mini train, trails; Hobie: rentals |
Key Biscayne and Virginia Key are reached over the Rickenbacker Causeway, which has a toll. Miami Beach parking is enforced from 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. in South Beach, so check the meter sign before you leave the car.
What are the rules on Miami Beach beaches?
On City of Miami Beach beaches, alcohol, smoking and glass containers are always banned, and so are Styrofoam, plastic straws, balloons and loud music. Fines apply. During spring-break weekends in March, checkpoints at Ocean Drive entrances also turn away coolers, tents, tables and inflatables.
County beaches such as Haulover and Crandon also ban glass and do not allow pool floats in swimming areas. Pets are not allowed at Crandon, so dog owners usually head to Hobie Beach on Virginia Key.
What do the beach flags mean in Miami?
Lifeguards fly flags from their towers to show sea conditions. Green means low hazard, yellow means moderate surf or currents, red means high hazard, a red flag with a crossed-out swimmer means the water is closed, and purple warns of dangerous marine life such as jellyfish or Portuguese man o' war.
Swim near a staffed tower, and remember that no flag does not mean safe water. If a rip current pulls you out, swim parallel to shore until you are free of it, then head in.
Our beach guides
- Haulover Beach: parking, the clothing-optional section and facilities.
- Key Biscayne beaches: Crandon Park and Bill Baggs compared.
- Nude beaches near Miami: rules and etiquette.
- South Pointe Park: the southern tip of South Beach.
Staying near the sand? See our South Beach hotels, or browse boat tours for a view of the coast from the water.
Tours worth booking nearby
Fly South Beach Via Flysobe Parasail
Parasail over South Beach from the historic Miami Beach Marina. Tax not included; call for details.
Food Tour of Miami's South Beach
A three-hour food walk through local South Beach spots, with alcoholic drinks included.
South Beach Segway Tour
An hour on a Segway past the Art Deco streets and Ocean Drive, with training first. Meets on 14th Street.
Questions
What is the best beach in Miami for first-time visitors?
South Beach at Lummus Park, roughly 5th to 15th Street. It has lifeguards, restrooms and Ocean Drive's Art Deco buildings right behind the sand.
Can you drink alcohol on Miami Beach?
No. Alcohol, smoking and glass containers are banned on all City of Miami Beach beaches, and you can be fined.
Which Miami beach has the calmest water?
Crandon Park on Key Biscayne usually has the gentlest, shallowest water, which is why families like it. Conditions still change, so check the lifeguard flags.
How much is parking at Miami beaches?
South Beach street meters cost $4 an hour. Haulover and Crandon charge $7 a day Monday to Thursday and $10 on weekends, and Bill Baggs charges $8 per vehicle to enter the park.
Are dogs allowed on Miami beaches?
Mostly no. Crandon and Matheson Hammock don't allow pets, but Hobie Beach on Virginia Key is a well-known dog-friendly spot.
Sources we checked
- City of Miami Beach: Beach Rules
- City of Miami Beach: Ocean Rescue
- City of Miami Beach: Parking Meter Rates
- Miami-Dade Parks: Haulover Park
- Miami-Dade Parks: Crandon Park
- Florida State Parks: Bill Baggs Cape Florida hours and fees
Hours, prices and rules change. Check the official site before you go, and tell us if something here is out of date.
