Beach Days in Miami

Sandbars and islands by boat

Miami's most memorable beach days are on the water. Boats anchor at the Haulover sandbar or the Nixon sandbar off Key Biscayne, where the bay is waist-deep, clear and warm, and you swim, float or stand with a drink in your hand. Raccoon Island trips add a walk on a small wild island with birds and a swim from its beach.

Shared island tours are the budget choice; a private boat or yacht lets your group stay as long as you like and often comes with paddleboards or a floating mat. Weekends are lively, weekdays much calmer.

Beaches on land

South Beach is the famous one: wide sand, lifeguard towers and Ocean Drive behind it. For quieter water, head to the beaches of Key Biscayne — Crandon Park and Bill Baggs, with its lighthouse — or north to Haulover Park and Sunny Isles. Some van tours combine Miami's beaches with Fort Lauderdale or Palm Beach.

Sun, flags and seaweed

The Florida sun is strong all year: bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and plenty of water, and look for shade in the middle of the day. On public beaches, swim near a lifeguard tower and check the flag colour for currents.

From spring to late summer, sargassum seaweed sometimes washes up on the beaches; sandbar trips in the bay are usually less affected. Boat trips are rescheduled or refunded when storms cancel them.