South Florida beaches are world-renowned for their beauty and picture-perfect settings, but a lot of them far exceed their expectations while others really aren't worth going to.
South Florida beaches are world-renowned for their beauty and picture-perfect settings, but a lot of them far exceed their expectations while others really aren't worth going to. Along the coastline from West Palm Beach south to Key Biscayne you'll find several beaches, but some of the best ones are those that are the lesser known.
Key Biscayne is a barrier island just Southeast of downtown Miami that holds three of the most outstanding beaches in all of South Florida. First is the hugely popular Crandon Park. This beach is open to the public and is also a public park, maintained very well by Miami-Dade County Parks officials. There are plenty of picnic tables and plenty of sand. The beach is a few miles long and there are several dozen yards of sand before hitting the water. This beach is also, understandably, the most photographed beach in the United States, always abuzz with modeling shoots, commercials, travel photographers and amateur photographers. The beach can get a little crowded on the weekends, but not so crowded to the point that you won't be able to set up a volleyball net, toss a Frisbee around or work on your next sandcastle or sand sculpture masterpiece. This beach is also not as commercialized as other South Florida beaches. You'll find a few concession stands there, but no T-shirt shops or other tourist-type outlets. Second is the beach of the Village of Key Biscayne, the municipality on the island. This beach is mainly open to residents of the island and guests at the nearby hotels. It's not easily accessible if you are not a resident or hotel guest (you'll have to sneak in through the hotel or walk in from one of the public parks), but it is worth a peak if you're willing to go through the trouble. The beach is very clean and not very crowded, even on the weekends. Third is Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Recreation Area. This beach made national headlines after Hurricane Andrew of 1992 flattened nearly all the trees on the island, with the lighthouse being the only thing left standing; that lighthouse became South Florida's pillar of hope. The lighthouse is also the only thing that is man-made on this stretch of land. The beach is at the southern-most tip of Key Biscayne. Parking is a bit expensive at $4 for the whole day, but this beach is worth it. It is the best one on Key Biscayne with soft white sand and beautiful scenery, and it also doesn't get too crowded very often. It's definitely a great spot for a getaway. Most of the native vegetation has since grown back, but the area is not as shady as it was before. Either way, it is still a beautiful place to visit.
With so much construction going on along Miami Beach, very few parts of it are too noisy or busy to be enjoyable. However, South Beach (SoBe) has yet to be spoiled. In fact, it keeps getting better. At SoBe, the beach atmosphere washes up all the way onto the street to the cozy cafes, small hotels and swank clothing stores. The beach itself is clean, and though it's crowded, the atmosphere is so fun that it doesn't detract from a good beach-going experience. There is always a major event going on at SoBe, which is why people keep going back for more. The rest of Miami Beach is, for the most part, divided. Immediately north of SoBe is Miami Beach Central. This beach is thin and rocky. The only thing to do at this part of the beach that is worthwhile is taking a stroll on the long boardwalk. Immediately north of that section is Miami Beach North. Beware of bulldozers in the sand and chain-wire fences constantly being put up and/or relocated. The beach itself is all right, but the construction in the background really detracts from a true beach-going experience.
Just north of Miami Beach is North Shore Park. Here, the beach transforms itself into a picture-perfect setting with wonderful amenities. This beach was fixed up with the community in mind. There is a fitness trail, walkway, playground and plenty of picnic tables. The atmosphere is very family friendly, and it's rarely very crowded.
Past the Miami-Dade County line is Hallandale Beach. With concrete walls and everything else urban, this beach is not much of a beach anymore and probably won't be for a while.
Hollywood Beach, just north of Hallandale, sings an entirely different tune. There is a large commercial complex right near the sand and there is always something going on. The atmosphere is very lively, and all the while, the area is surprisingly clean for the high foot traffic that goes through it each day. This is the place that gave meaning to "fun in the sun", and it is a major hot spot for locals and tourists on the weekends, so expect a crowd.
Dania Beach can be best described as the average beach. Vacant and unfinished construction projects dot the background, but the sand and water are the some of the cleanest in South Florida.
There are several beaches in the area, but the ones listed provide a good sampling of what to expect from South Florida beaches.
