For Tranquility:
Matheson Hammock Park Beach (tel. 305/665-5475) in South Miami features an enclosed man-made lagoon that is flushed naturally by the tidal action of the adjacent Biscayne Bay. The serene beach is surrounded by the bay’s warm, calm waters and a backdrop of tropical hardwood forest.
The beach at Bahia Honda State Park (tel. 305/872-2353) in Bahia Honda Key is one of the nicest and most peaceful in Florida, located amidst 635 acres of nature trails and even a portion of Henry Flagler’s railroad.
For Watersports:
Hobie Beach (tel. 305/361-2833), located on the south side of Key Biscayne’s Rickenbacker Causeway, is one of the most popular beaches for watersport enthusiasts, featuring jet-ski, sailboat, windsurfing, and sailboard rentals; shade, if necessary, from the Australian pine; and a sublime view of the picturesque downtown Miami skyline.
For People-Watching:
Lummus Park Beach (tel. 305/673-7714) is world renowned, not necessarily for its pristine sands, but for its more common name of South Beach. Here, seeing, being seen, and, at times, the obscene, go hand in hand with the sunscreen and beach towels.
Not nearly as scenic, but still heavily populated, Fort Lauderdale Beach (tel. 954/468-1597) is the site of many a bacchanalian Spring Break, Frankie and Annette, and now, an eclectic–albeit calmer–mix of young, buff beach bums.
For Nature Lovers:
MacArthur Beach (tel. 561/624-6950), in West Palm Beach, is considered by many nature enthusiasts to be the most beautiful nature park in South Florida, with a nice stretch of beach set against a lush and diverse background of foliage, plus a state-of-the-art nature center and renowned sea turtle awareness program.
For Nude Sunbathing:
For that all-over tan, the place to be is the north end of Haulover Beach (tel. 305/944-3040), nestled between the Intracoastal Waterway and the ocean. A gay, nude beach is also there, as is an area for nude volleyball.
For Seclusion:
The producers of Survivor could feasibly shoot their show on the ultra-secluded, picturesque, and deserted Virginia Key (tel. 305/361-2749), on Key Biscayne, where people go purposely not to be found.
John U. Lloyd State Park (tel. 954/923-6711) in Dania Beach is unfettered by high-rise condos, T-shirt shops, and hotels, and remains intact with an untouched shoreline surrounded by a canopy of Australian pine to ensure that your seclusion is, indeed, highly guarded.
For Gay Beachgoers:
South Beach’s 12th Street Beach (tel. 305/673-7714) is the beach of choice for gay residents and travelers who come to show off just how much time they’ve spent in the gym, and, of course, catch up on the latest gossip and upcoming must-attend parties and events. Oftentimes, this beach is the venue for some of the liveliest parties South Beach has ever seen.
For Kids:
Miami’s Crandon Beach (tel. 305/361-5421) is extremely popular for families with kids because of the shallow water created by a neighboring sandbar. Convenient parking, picnic areas, a winding boardwalk, and a multi-ethnic mix of families grilling, dancing, and relaxing are the benchmarks of this beach.
Best Party Beach:
In Key Biscayne, Crandon Park Beach, on Crandon Boulevard, is National Lampoon’s Vacation on the sand. It’s got a diverse crowd consisting of dedicated beach bums and lots of leisure-seeking families, set to a soundtrack of salsa, disco, and reggae music blaring from a number of competing stereos. With 3 miles of oceanfront beach, bathrooms, changing facilities, 493 acres of park, 75 grills, 3 parking lots, several soccer and softball fields, and a public 18-hole championship golf course, Crandon is like a theme park on the sand. Admission is $2 per vehicle. It’s open daily from 8am to sunset.
Best Beach for People-Watching:
Lummus Park Beach, a.k.a. Glitter Beach, runs along Ocean Drive from about 6th to 14th streets on South Beach. It’s the best place to go if you’re seeking entertainment as well as a great tan. On any day of the week, you might spy models primping for a photo shoot, nearly naked (topless is legal here) sun-worshippers avoiding tan lines, and an assembly line of washboard abs off of which you could (but shouldn’t) bounce your bottle of sunscreen. Bathrooms and changing facilities are available on the beach, but don’t expect to have a Cindy Crawford encounter in one of these. Most people tend to prefer using the somewhat drier, cleaner bathrooms of the restaurants on Ocean Drive.
Best Swimming Beach:
The 85th Street Beach, along Collins Avenue, is the best place to swim away from the maddening crowds. It’s one of Miami’s only stretches of sand with no condos or hotels looming over sunbathers. Lifeguards patrol the area throughout the day and bathrooms are available, though they are not exactly the benchmark of cleanliness.
Best Windsurfing Beach:
Hobie Beach, on the side of the causeway leading to Key Biscayne, is not really a beach, but an inlet with predictable winds and a number of places where you can rent windsurfers. Bathrooms are available.
Best Shell-Hunting Beach:
You’ll find plenty of colorful shells at Bal Harbour Beach, Collins Avenue at 96th Street. There’s also an exercise course and good shade–but no lifeguards, bathrooms, or changing facilities.
Best (Ahem) All-Around Tanning Beach:
For that all-over tan, head to Haulover Beach, just north of the Bal Harbour border, and join nudists from around the world in a top-to-bottom tanning session. Should you choose to keep your swimsuit on, however, there are changing rooms and bathrooms.
Best Surfing Beach:
Haulover Beach Park, just over the causeway from Bal Harbour, seems to get Miami’s biggest swells. Go early to avoid getting mauled by the aggressive young locals prepping for Maui.
Best Scenic Beach:
Matheson Hammock Park Beach, at 9610 Old Cutler Road in South Miami (tel. 305/665-5475), is the epitome of tranquility, tucked away off of scenic Old Cutler Road in South Miami. And while it’s scenic, it’s not too much of a scene. It’s a great beach for those seeking “alone time.” Bathrooms and changing facilities are available.
Best Family Beach:
Because of its man-made lagoon, which is fed naturally by the tidal movement of the adjacent Biscayne Bay, the waters of Matheson Hammock Park Beach are extremely calm, not to mention safe and secluded enough for families to keep an eye on the kids.
Best Beach for Seculusion:
Virginia Key on Key Biscayne, where people go when they don’t want to be found. It’s also incredibly picturesque.
