The Best Beaches in Miami, From Nature Reserves to Sceney Beach Clubs

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Miami has always known how to turn a day at the beach into a scene. This rings especially true along the sandy patches belonging to Miami Beach’s top hotels, which have been upping the stakes with cushy amenities and experiences designed to warrant hefty membership fees for locals—and generate enough revenue to keep their beach clubs at the top of their game. The good news for travelers? Book a room at such hotels—think CNT Triple Crown Winners1 Hotel South Beach and Faena Miami Beach or the new and improved Delano Miami Beach—and many of those same privileges typically extend to hotel guests, no membership required (though nightly rates will cost ya!).

Of course, you don’t need a hotel key, annual dues, or an impending inheritance to experience Miami’s best beaches. Miles of public shoreline remain gloriously democratic, whether you want to join the beautiful bodies and colorful lifeguard stands of South Beach, bike beneath the palms of Key Biscayne, kayak through mangroves at Oleta River State Park, or ditch your swimsuit altogether at liberating, clothing-optional Haulover Beach. Consider these 18 picks less a ranking of sand and more a guide to Miami’s many ways of doing the beach, popular year-round thanks to a balmy climate that makes summer feel seemingly endless.

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Every review on this list has been written by a Condé Nast Traveler journalist who knows the destination and has visited that activity. When choosing things to do, our editors consider landmarks and experiences that offer an insider’s view of a destination, keeping authenticity, location, service, and sustainability credentials top of mind. This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

GettySouth BeachBeautiful people, flashy cars, skimpy bathing suits, Art Deco architecture: It’s all here. South Beach’s most recognizable public stretch fronts Lummus Park between roughly fifth and 14th streets, where models, musclemen, volleyball players, colorful lifeguard stands, and Ocean Drive’s neon-trimmed architecture supply the Miami fantasy. Locals tend to migrate south of the hoopla below Fifth Street. Continue north and the shoreline becomes increasingly dominated by the beach clubs of South Beach’s luxury hotels, where orderly rows of chairs and umbrellas replace the anything-goes towel crowd farther south. There’s still plenty of public sand in between.Who it’s best for: Those who enjoy a busy beach with plenty of eye candyThe vibe: “Bienvenido a Miami”Where to stay: 1 Hotel South Beach offers the nature-inspired antidote to Ocean Drive, with four pools and 600 feet of beachfront. Or rediscover the Delano Miami Beach, fresh from a six-year closure and $100 million restoration.
GettyMid-Beach, Miami BeachRunning roughly from 23rd to 46th streets, Mid-Beach trades South Beach’s crowds for a more hotel- and condo-driven atmosphere along a long stretch of shoreline. The promenade makes walking and biking easy, while some of Miami Beach’s biggest-name hotels line Collins Avenue and supply much of the social action. It’s where locals come for staycations, long lunches, beach clubs, and a day that has a funny way of becoming a night out.Who it’s best for: Fashionistas, trendsetters, and those who like to chill and drink at hotel beach clubsThe vibe: Lounge-y by day, livelier after darkWhere to stay: Take your pick among some of Miami Beach’s heavy hitters, including The Miami Beach EDITION, Soho Beach House, and Faena Miami Beach.

GettyHaulover Naturist Beach, North BeachBetween Bal Harbour and Sunny Isles lies 177-acre Haulover Park, home to Florida’s best-known officially recognized clothing-optional public beach. Here, all bodies are beach bodies. Farther south, between lifeguard towers two and three, Haulover Dog Beach gives four-legged beachgoers their own off-leash slice of shoreline—a better bet for traveling pups than many of Miami Beach’s more restrictive sands. Currents around Haulover Inlet also produce some of the area’s more noticeable swells, attracting beginner surfers and bodyboarders. Overall, though, people come here to let it all hang out and tan head-to-toe. Feel free to forget your clothes, but not the essentials: The relatively undeveloped park setting means fewer conveniences close to the water, so pack food, drinks, sunscreen, and whatever else you’ll want for the day.Who it’s best for: Those who dare to bare, dog lovers, and beginner surfersThe vibe: All shapes, sizes, and sexes for naked fun in the sunWhere to stay: Haulover sits closest to Bal Harbour and Sunny Isles, but plenty of beachgoers drive or Uber from South and Mid-Beach—or even Fort Lauderdale. For the latter, consider the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale, the city’s premier beachfront address.
GettyBal Harbour Beach, Miami BeachPristine sand meets serious fashion in Bal Harbour, Miami’s poshest beachfront neighborhood. Expect plenty of bling, designer bikinis, and immaculate cover-ups—and don’t even think about wearing the same threads twice. Thankfully, Bal Harbour Shops and its parade of top-tier designers are right across Collins Avenue should an emergency wardrobe refresh arise.Who it’s best for: Those looking to showcase their latest beachwear between dips in the oceanThe vibe: Summer in the Hamptons meets Rodeo Drive meets MiamiWhere to stay: Book The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, where the beachfront comes strewn with chairs and daybeds and service is every bit as polished as the crowd.

GettyBill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, Key BiscayneThis state park has it all, albeit with some caveats: a mile-long beach on the southern tip of Key Biscayne, an extensive network of walking and biking trails, excellent birding, restaurants worth the visit, and the historic Cape Florida Lighthouse. While the beach is indeed nice, we feel there are better elsewhere. Our advice: couple some sand time with exploration and dining. Follow the scenic path along the park’s western perimeter for superb Miami skyline views and birding opportunities, bike to the lighthouse, then reward yourself at Boater’s Grill or the must-visit sunset bar The Cleat.Who it’s best for: Families and couples who enjoy nature, active pursuits, and cocktailsThe vibe: Relaxed on the beach, sporty on the trailsWhere to stay: The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami is a luxe-yet-unpretentious island retreat that’s the antithesis of the Miami Beach experience and just a quick bike ride from the park entrance.
Getty12th Street Beach, South BeachIt’s a sea of Speedo-clad, sculpted bodies at South Beach’s best-known LGBTQ+ beach, marked by rainbow flags near the 12th Street lifeguard stations and spilling south toward 11th. Expect dance-heavy playlists erupting from speakers, plenty of socializing, and a slightly buzzed crowd sipping Surfsides. Topless female sunbathers often join the mix, because everyone is invited to the party. Once everyone finally puts clothes back on, South Beach’s LGBTQ+ nightlife is within walking distance, with Palace a day-drinking mainstay thanks to head-turning drag performances and a revamped menu that merits a look. And, of course, then there’s Twist, a late-night rite of passage. Oh, Twist, we love and hate you.Who it’s best for: Those looking to admire Adonises or find their next Grindr hookup IRLThe vibe: Confessions 2 by Madonna on repeatWhere to stay: Miami Beach is pretty gay, so all’s fair game. But for gay-maxxing, look to Hotel Gaythering, the adults-only LGBTQ+ hotel and social hub at the far end of Lincoln Road.

Pola Damonte/GettySouth Pointe BeachAt South of Fifth, or SoFi to locals, South Beach begins to exhale. At First Street, South Pointe Beach offers wide sand, fewer high-rise shadows, and immediate access to adjacent South Pointe Park. Follow its walking paths toward the pier for sweeping views of the Atlantic, Government Cut, Fisher Island, and cruise ships sailing impossibly close by. Come late afternoon, locals migrate toward the park for one of Miami Beach’s best sunset shows. Dine al-fresco on chilled shellfish and steaks at Smith & Wollensky while boats cruise through Government Cut, or head indoors to Miami institution Joe’s Stone Crab for claws and seafood that have kept crowds coming for more than a century.Who it’s best for: Those who want to hang with low-key Miami locals in a thriving tourist townThe vibe: A simple beach day with friends and familyWhere to stay: Look to our South Beach options above and below; most put SoFi and South Pointe within a quick ride or a leisurely walk along the beach.
Robert RiegerGigi Miami at Delano Miami BeachAfter a six-year closure and $100 million restoration, the legendary Delano Miami Beach is back with 171 redesigned rooms and bungalows, destination restaurants, restored Delano signatures, and a lobby corridor that pulls your gaze straight through the hotel toward the pool and ocean. Instead of creating an à la carte beach operation, Delano commissioned Gigi Rigolatto, the coastal Italian import from Paris Society, to oversee a waterfront experience that channels a European beach club. Sounds complicated in words, but in practice it’s an umbrella for the outdoors, spreading from the lush garden terrace and cascading steps to the pool and beach itself (aka Gigi Beach). On the sand, attentive staff proffer plush towels, frilly designer parasols lined with floral prints underneath, and a lunch menu that won’t have you reaching for a cover-up afterward. It makes alternating between beach, pool, and restaurant lounge simple and encourages languid days in the sun that are anything but mundane.Who it’s best for: Those who want the European beach-club experience without leaving South BeachThe vibe: Euro summer, South Beach editionWhere to eat and drink: If you want more than the smaller beach and pool menus, head indoors to Gigi Rigolatto’s proper restaurant for crudo, pastas, and a coastal Italian menu that makes its way around the country. Come evening, go upstairs to Mimi Kakushi for 1920s Osaka-inspired interiors, theatrical cocktails, succulent sashimi, and Wagyu glazed with chipotle soy.

Charissa Fay1 Hotel South BeachSustainability is a big part of the DNA of 1 Hotel South Beach, but its private 600-foot stretch of sand proves being eco-conscious doesn’t require sacrificing any comforts. The beach is reserved for hotel guests and members of the paid 1 Club, with chairs and umbrellas lining one of South Beach’s widest expanses. Then there’s Tala Beach, which gives the hotel another, far more social way to put your feet in the sand. Heavy on vibe, the seasonal open-air restaurant and beach club mixes low-slung seating, music, cocktails, and Spanish-inspired plates beneath palms and sea grapes. Tala returns for the 2026–27 season on October 24, and typically runs through late April.Who it’s best for: Eco-conscious luxury seekers who like some action with their sunThe vibe: Barefoot luxury with a social streakWhere to eat and drink: When Tala is in season, head there for cocktails and shared plates. Year-round, book AVIV, multi–James Beard Award winner Michael Solomonov’s modern Israeli spot, where house-baked saluf and hummus with salatim kick things off. Or head 18 stories up to Watr, an amazing rooftop bar with sweeping ocean views and sublime sushi.
Courtesy Ritz-CarltonThe Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, MiamiFollowing a $100 million transformation completed in early 2026, The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami is once again one of the area’s great resort beach experiences. Crossing the Rickenbacker Causeway already feels like an escape: the skyline recedes, water flanks the road, and Key Biscayne’s protected greenery replaces mainland Miami. At the resort, newly outfitted chairs and umbrellas fan across the oceanfront, with ample room for couples and families alike. The family pool and splash areas sit apart from an adults-only pool and hot tub, while tennis, pickleball, padel, and a 30,000-square-foot spa make a convincing case for staying on the island. Best of all, two toes-in-the-sand restaurants, Dune Beach Bar and Paralía, mean there’s little reason to put your shoes back on.Who it’s best for: Families craving a tropical resort day without leaving the USThe vibe: Island vacation, Miami addressWhere to eat and drink: Keep your feet in the sand at Dune Beach Bar for burgers, ceviches, cocktails, and weekend DJ sets, then graduate to Paralía for Aegean flavors and mezze overlooking the Atlantic. Book the firepit table in advance; it’s the most coveted seat on the property.

Adrian GautFour Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club, SurfsideCNT Triple Crown recipient The Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club resurrects the legendary circa-1931 social club that once hosted Frank Sinatra, Winston Churchill, and Elizabeth Taylor, but these days its greatest asset may be the stretch of Surfside sand out back. Reserved for hotel guests, the beach feels worlds away from the see-and-be-seen energy farther south, with Four Seasons attendants handling chairs, umbrellas, towels, drinks, and whatever else keeps you from having to get up. The Atlantic is the main event, though two oceanfront pools sit just steps away when you want a change of water and scenery. It’s a particularly civilized way to do Miami Beach.Who it’s best for: Those who want five-star beach service without the South Beach crowdsThe vibe: Midcentury Miami meets the Italian coastWhere to eat and drink: Sip Champagne beneath the palms at the Champagne Bar, then choose between Italian cooking at Lido or the full Thomas Keller treatment at The Surf Club Restaurant.
The Beach Club at The Miami Beach EDITION, Mid-BeachThe Miami Beach EDITION, Ian Schrager’s dreamy reinvention of the 1955 Seville Hotel still nails the Miami good life, from its soaring, palm-filled lobby to two slick pools and a broad sweep of beachfront. Perfectly aligned rows of sapphire-and-white chairs and umbrellas make it especially photogenic, while the fun continues past the boardwalk at the Sandbox, a tropical hideaway scattered with hammocks, low-slung seating, and a ping-pong table. Tropicale handles cocktails and daytime bites around the historic pool and by the ocean.Who it’s best for: Those seeking Miami of both substance and styleThe vibe: Vintage-spiked fun in the sunWhere to eat and drink: Make a night of it at the Matador Room, Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s signature Latin-forward restaurant, where dinner can continue outside beneath a canopy of bougainvillea.

Courtesy Soho Beach HouseSoho Beach HouseHoused within a reinvented 1940s tower, Soho Beach House has long attracted Miami’s local and global style set to its pools, ocean-facing rooftop, and highly coveted private beach. Consider it the OG of Miami’s members-club culture, though nonmembers can bypass the application process by booking one of the hotel’s 50 rooms (and membership criteria has surely changed over the years, favoring a much younger, nepo crowd). Following a recent refresh, newly landscaped grounds and additional loungers freshen things up, while the waterfront remains primed for lazy days by the water. Grab cocktails at the Beach Bar or flag down the roaming bar cart when those few extra steps feel like too much effort.Who it’s best for: Gen Z spendthrifts and young professionals in the arts and mediaThe vibe: Endless summer on daddy’s credit cardWhere to eat and drink: Grab dinner under the braided lights at Cecconi’s, the House’s always-buzzing Northern Italian restaurant—despite jaw-dropping prices!
Courtesy FaenaFaena Hotel Miami Beach, Mid-BeachAlan Faena’s larger-than-life Faena Miami Beach is a maximalist Miami fantasy of art, red velvet, animal prints, and serious glamour. Outside, however, things calm down considerably. The expansive private beach is lined in Faena’s unmistakable red-and-white palette, with attendants ready with lemon-infused water, snacks, drinks, and even a quick polish of your sunglasses. It’s pampering at a level that can make returning to an ordinary beach towel difficult.Who it’s best for: Sophisticated trendsetters and art aficionadosThe vibe: International jet-setters basking in Miami’s finestWhere to eat and drink: Carry your tan inside to leopard-print The Living Room, then choose between Francis Mallmann’s Los Fuegos, Paul Qui’s Pao, or a sultry evening performance at Faena Theater.

Courtesy The Setai Beach ClubThe Setai Beach Club at 21st Street, South BeachSouth Beach has no shortage of luxury hotels, but Triple Crowner The Setai Miami Beach still operates in its own rarefied air. You could spend the afternoon hopping among its three temperature-regulated pools, but the better move is to claim a spot by the ocean, where beach butlers handle the details and the service is every bit as dialed-in as you’d expect. And despite all the high-design serenity, The Setai is more family-friendly than you might imagine. This is a place for serious pampering with your crew, not necessarily making new couple friends or finding your next Hinge date.Who it’s best for: Socialites and families looking for a true South Beach splurgeThe vibe: See-and-be-seen, minus the partyWhere to eat and drink: Escape the sun beneath the covered terrace at Ocean Grill for Mediterranean-inspired fare by the water, or head indoors for Asian flavors at Jaya.
GettySunny Isles BeachQuiet compared with its neighbors, this two-mile strip is lined predominantly by residential towers, ranging from low-rise remnants of old Miami to glassy skyscrapers that seem to grow taller every year. The result is a relatively low-key beach with a decidedly residential feel. Something to note, however: those towers can start throwing shadows across the sand earlier than you might expect, so morning sun worshippers have the advantage.Who it’s best for: Families and couples who want good-looking sands minus the party feelThe vibe: Relaxed and ideal for lazy days in the sunWhere to stay: Go full-on luxury at Acqualina Resort & Residences on the Beach, or try newcomer The Sunny Miami Sunny Isles Beach, Curio Collection by Hilton, an oceanfront skyscraper reopening in November 2026 after a multimillion-dollar transformation (after a previous life as the Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort).

GettyOleta River State ParkFlorida’s largest urban park reveals an older, wilder side of Miami, where tidal mangroves, small islands, and sandbars take over from towers and beach clubs. Kayak beneath the mangrove canopy toward Sandspur Island and claim a tiny patch beneath the palms. Just don’t leave lunch unattended: the island’s raccoons have developed quite the reputation for theft. Prefer an easier day by the water? Walk, drive, or paddle to Oleta’s shallow cove, where calm conditions make it especially good for wading and young kids. Paddling through the mangroves is the best way to understand just how far-removed Oleta can feel from the high-rises surrounding it.Who it’s best for: Kayakers, adventure-seekers, and families who want more than an ordinary beach experienceThe vibe: Nature buffs finding their niche in MiamiWhere to stay: Nearby JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa trades the ocean for 300 lush acres of golf courses, gardens, pools, and a water park, making it an especially strong choice for families—and a smart redemption for anyone sitting on Marriott points.
GettyVirginia KeySitting between downtown Miami and Key Biscayne, Virginia Key offers two very different beach days. Virginia Key Beach North Point Park is the outdoorsy one, with mangroves, protected dunes, biking trails, secluded coves, and opportunities for windsurfing and wading. Nearby Historic Virginia Key Beach Park tells a far more important story. Once the only Miami-area beach officially open to Black residents during segregation, the landmark preserves a crucial piece of the city’s history alongside its shoreline. Explore both the natural and historical sides of Virginia Key, then continue across the causeway to Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park for another dimension of Miami’s quieter coast.Who it’s best for: Nature enthusiasts, history buffs, and water-sports fansThe vibe: Immersive and educationalWhere to stay: Base yourself downtown at CNT Triple Crown winner EAST Miami, a sleek, 352-room tower inside Brickell City Centre with floor-to-ceiling views, a sprawling fifth-floor pool deck, and sky-high rooftop bar Sugar.