Miami’s most well known and popular attraction is it’s wonderful 35-mile stretch of white sand beaches. This long stretch of beaches begins in the south end of Miami or the South Beach (SoBe) area, heads north up to Sunny Isles, doubles back on the East side of Key Bicayne and includes many small islands sprinkled throughout the Atlantic Ocean.
One of the fun things about the beaches in Miami is that they are not all the same. Some are busy where people go to see and be seen. Some offer a slower pace where quiet and serenity can be found. It’s easiest to divide the beaches into two main areas, Miami Beach and Key Biscayne. Always be sure to check out Miami car rentals for all your rental car needs.
Miami Beach:
If you are traveling along Collins Avenue, you can find white sand beaches starting at 1st street and extending all the way up to 192nd street. The view of the beaches from Collins is frequently obstructed by the numerous hotels and condominium complexes which line the beach front. Most of the beaches along this stretch are public and offer bathrooms, food stands, and lifeguard service. Metered parking is easy to find and the walk to the beaches is short but make sure you have a lot of quarters in the glove box to feed the meters – they are patrolled.
As I mentioned, the beaches offer different experiences. The beaches to the south tend to be busiest. Check out Lummus Beach if you like the see and be seen experience. Lummus Beach starts at 5th street and extends 10 blocks north. They imported bright, white sand to give you that tropical feel. Lummus Beach is 300 feet wide in most places and features numerous parks as well.
There is a wooden boardwalk that stretches for a mile and a half fronting the beaches starting at 21st street and extending all the way up to 46th street. It’s pretty cool to stroll this boardwalk. You can check out the shops and then hop out onto for a quick suntan break.
As you head north up Collins from SoBe, you will find the beaches become less populated and more mellow. Beaches in Miami Beach tend to carry the name of the street it is adjacent too rather than carry a more personal name. The beach next to 35th street seems to be popular with an older demographic. The beach across from 53rd street is fairly narrow and quiet but lovely. The beach across from 64th street is very calm and serene, a perfect place to read a book while enjoying the sun.
In general, you will find the beaches on the Miami Beach side to be made of hard packed sand. Years ago, the Army Corps of Engineers undertook their Beach Rebuilding Project. This project was designed to reduce the effect of beach erosion on the local hotels and condominiums.
Key Biscayne:
Key Biscayne is attached to Miami Beach via the Rickenbacker Causeway. The Rickenbacker Causeway requires a toll which at the moment (2008) is $1. Crossing the Causeway is often a lengthy process slowed by high levels of traffic. However, once you are safely across, you will find numerous and wonderful beaches.
The first stop off the Causeway would be Virginia Key. The Virginia Key offers less populated, soft packed white sand beaches and the south tip also offers the Miami Seaquarium for a less sandy marine experience.
After Virginia Key comes Key Biscayne. Key Biscayne offers something along the line of 5 miles of white sand public beaches and is not obscured by the overwhelming presence of hotels and condominiums you get at Miami Beach.
At the northern end of Key Biscayne, you will find Crandon Beach Park. Crandon Beach Park not only offers great public beaches but also a unique golfing experience. Crandon Park Golf Course is located at 6700 Crandon Boulevard. This public links course is often ranked as the number one municipal course in the state of Florida and usually ranks in the top five in the country. The Crandon Park Golf Course is built on 200 acres fronting the bay, offers a pro club, lit driving range and is reasonably priced at $148 a round (2008) and offers discounted twilight rates as well.
At the southern end of Key Biscayne, you will find the Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Recreation Area. Along with a mile and a half of beautiful white sand beaches you will find a lot to see and do here. You can visit a historic lighthouse here which was built in 1825. It was the site of skirmishes in the Seminole War and again in the Civil War. It was rebuilt by the Coast Guard in 1978 and offers tours Monday through Thursday. You will find restaurants here that features seafood and Latin foods. There are rental shacks that offer bicycles, mopeds, and a variety of water toys. There is an admission charge to get in the Recreation Area of $5 per car with up to eight passengers.
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