I fly back and forth between Toronto, Canada and Miami, Florida a lot and my absolute favourite thing to do is relax at the best beaches in Miami. And when opportunity allows depending on the weather, waves and the tide, I love being able to go snorkeling and diving. (Who else’s favourite Disney movie growing up was The Little Mermaid?) I’ve been a beach lover since I was young and anything with a view of the water just makes me so happy and instantly lifts my mood.I just feel like when I’m at the beach, this is what life is – being able to take it all in, hear the sound of the waves, and really just relax and experience peace and get away from it all, even if it’s only for a short time.
Now don’t get me wrong, I know what you’re thinking – Miami for peace?! It’s probably one of the wildest cities in North America with the non-stop partying, erratic behaviour and violence – we all know the term “Florida Man” by now. But I’m not talking about the infamous South Beach that all people flock to when they go to Miami. I’ve only been a handful of times, and it’s not my preferred beach. But if you’re a first-timer, I would definitely say check it out since there is a lot to do in the area and it’s where the majority of the night life is.
What I’m talking about, are the best beaches in Miami where the locals go and where there are less tourists. I’m an introvert and I love peace and quiet so I love the “privacy” at these beaches. I want to actually be able to enjoy my time at the beach and relax without having speakers blasting music next to me, or someone asking me every 5 minutes if I want to go to a club or to buy something from them. I also like that my things are “safer” in the local beaches – at South Beach, you better keep a close eye on your things!
Here are the best beaches in Miami that are NOT South Beach (from my experience and personal preference).
Virginia Key Beach Park
Virginia Key Bach Park is my all-time favorite beach in the Miami area. It’s a historic park that is secluded, rarely has people there, and has a great view because the rock boulders give it character. The fact that you have to pay about $5-8 USD to enter also deters people from visiting as often – which I’m totally happy with. You get so much peace and quiet here. It also has shorter shores so it really does feel more private. It’s perfect for solo beach lovers, couples, and even families (if the kids aren’t too rowdy). You can also have picnics and barbecues here.
I’ve seen a lot of manatees that come pretty close and it’s a great area for snorkeling and diving. This beach park also has an interesting history to it. It was originally accessible only by boat, and it was a designated beach that African Americans were allowed to enjoy during the years of 1945 until 1982 when it was closed to the public due to the “high cost of maintenance and operations”. Virginia Key was a getaway, a social gathering place, and a sacred site for religious services for these people. It remained segregated throughout the 1950’s and people from the Caribbean, Cubans, and South Americans found that this beach was the only one that they could visit as well. In 2002, Virginia Key Beach Park was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Miami Beach: North Beach
This is the beach we go to most often as it is easy to get to and more convenient for us. It’s still Miami Beach, but it’s not South Beach. It’s about 60-70 streets or so north of South Beach so it is a lot quieter and has less people, but with the same beautiful beach and sand. The beach’s depth is also much shorter than Miami Beach so you won’t have hundreds of people behind you. To get a space, they’ll usually have to go to the left or right of you.
Upon walking into the beach, you can already see the shades of turquoise the ocean has. It makes me so happy every time I see it, and if you didn’t already know, I’m a thalassophile. Depending on the waves and wind, the waters can be extremely clear when it is calm. It’s also perfect for snorkeling and diving and there are tons of fish and occasional manatees here.
You also get South Beach vibes but without all the craziness. It’s a more low-key and mellow version of South Beach. And actually, the further you go up on North Beach towards Surfside, the classier it gets.
Crandon Beach Park
Crandon Beach in Key Biscayne is another alternative to the other beaches listed. It’s great for all crowds and you’re able to spread out here a bit more. There’s picnic areas and nature trails and is known as one of the most popular recreation destinations in all of Miami-Dade County. Although there’s a lot of activities here, it feels that there’s still enough peace and quiet to really enjoy the beach when I go. At least it won’t be disruptive like South Beach. It’s also interesting to see all the activities that can happen here while you enjoy the beach, or you can even participate yourself!
To start planning your own trip to visit the best beaches in Miami or anywhere else, read my Ultimate Guide To Planning Your Trip Abroad. For more Miami recommendations, here are The Best Things To Do In Miami, Florida – Recommendations By A Local and The Best Restaurants To Visit In Miami – Recommendations By A Local.
If you’re ready to make the move to enjoy the beaches in Miami permanently, here’s a City Guide To Living In Miami And Its Neighborhoods!