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If you’re going on a summer vacation in Miami then it’s almost guaranteed that you’re planning to spend time at the beach. After all, that’s basically what Miami is all about (although the city’s nightlife, shopping and dining opportunities are definitely worth a mention). The beaches of Miami are all beautiful so you’re going to be able to soak up the sun at any one of them without complaints. However, the beaches each offer something different to attract the attention of the sunscreen-covered masses so there will be different reasons to visit each of them. Finding the best beach in Miami requires knowing what you want most from your beach experience and figuring out which Miami beach is going to be best at providing that.

Here are some of the best beaches in Miami for different activities:

• Bal Harbour Beach. This Miami Beach is a resort destination that is considered to be the most luxurious and indulgent beach option in Miami. Those people who are going to Miami in search of a resort with spa services and a relaxing view of the beautiful beach are going to find that Bal Harbour is the beach area that suits them best. This is a mile-long beach which is sparsely populated with sunbathers. A jogging path through the palm trees adds a scenic exercise option for those indulgent travelers who don’t want to get too lazy during their Miami stay.
• Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. This state park beach has previously been named one of the Top 10 beaches in the United States so there’s no denying that it has a lot to offer. It’s an ideal Miami beach for families and groups of all ages. Activities include picnicking, hiking, and watersport rentals. There’s also a famous lighthouse that offers daily tours so you can see a historic sight and get a great view of the ocean at the same time.
• Crandon Park Beach. This is a three-mile-long lagoon style beach that draws an interesting mixture of travelers. On the one hand, there is a playground area and a lack of waves that makes this beach ideal for families that are traveling with young children. On the other hand, the somewhat secluded nature of the beach makes it an ideal beach for romance. The white sand and stunning views also make this a popular Miami beach for photographers interested in capturing the beauty of the area. The Crandon Park Beach Gardens is a particularly popular spot for the latter two types of visitors.
• Haulover Beach Park. This is a great beach for the relaxing vacationer who wants to be active during his or her stay. A golf course, a kite-flying area, volleyball courts in the sand, walking trails and tennis courts all provide a plethora of activity options to the traveler. This may sound like a great place for all ages and it may well be but it should be noted that one portion of this beach park is considered to be a clothing-optional place so it tends to draw in more adults than kids.


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• Hobie Beach. The truly active Miami vacationer is going to want to go to this Miami Beach which is also known as windsurfer beach because that’s the preferred activity in the area. Various other types of watersports can also be enjoyed here. It’s the kind of beach that has numerous concession stands and beachside shopping for those people who want a break from sports on the water.
• Homestead Marina. People interested in boating can head to this Miami Beach where a dock holds boats available for rental. You’ll also find that there’s a lot to do on the beach itself since there’s a playground and picnic area here. People seeking the kind of summer vacation that includes barbecues and boating are going to prefer this Miami Beach to the others.


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• Miami Beach. The major beach area of Miami Beach is the one that bears its name. It should be noted that there are different sections of this beach which offer different types of activities. For example, the Central Area of the beach is where you can find a beach boardwalk which many consider to be a beach vacation necessity. The North Area holds an event stand where summer concerts can be enjoyed. The South Area is a favorite place for watching cruise ships sail in the waters. All of these areas have beach activities like volleyball, water sport rentals and plenty of room for sunbathing. If you’re trying to find these beaches, look for Collins Ave. or Beach Drive to get you there.
• North Shore Open Space Park and Beach. Those people who are looking for a more secluded area in Miami are going to want to head to this beach park. This is a lush green area with a nature trail and bike paths that tend to draw in a quieter crowd of Miami Beach visitors than many of the major beaches will offer.
• Oleta River State Park. Another peaceful area that people seeking a quiet commune with nature will enjoy is this state park. There are also hiking and nature trails here but this Miami Beach area is particularly popular among people who like to do things like kayaking. It offers adventure and activity without a lot of the party-style noise that many of the Miami Beach areas are known for.


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• Sunny Isles Beach. This Miami beach area is known for two things. First, it’s called Little Moscow because of the heavy concentration of Russian people here which makes it a great place for some ethnic food and shopping. Second, it was the site of MTV’s Spring Break 2008 so it’s become a happening party area in the Miami region. With white sand, sun and surf it’s a place that has all that most people want in a Miami Beach.
• Surfside Beach. Have you heard the rumors that Miami has a topless beach? Is that the kind of fun that you’re looking for when you head to this area on vacation? If so, Surfside Beach is the beach that you’re looking for. As you might imagine, this is a party beach preferred by a young crowd that wants to be close to the nightlife of Miami.
• Virginia Key Beach. There are two different sides to this Miami Beach (north and south) and they both have their own personalities that will appeal to different types of Miami visitors. The south side is a highly secluded area that is preferred by people seeking a very quiet beach where they can enjoy nature. There is a bird sanctuary here that is preferred by visitors. It’s also one of the rare beach areas where people can bring their dogs. Those Miami Beach visitors that love animals are going to love this region where there are typically more animals than people. The North part of this Miami Beach is also about the nature but it tends to be less focused on animals and more focused on the nature activities that can be experienced here. For example, many people go here to rent ultra light seaplanes. Either of these areas is great for a mature traveler who wants to be active but not in a partying kind of way.

Miami is a beach destination so you can bet there are a dozen different beaches here which each offer something appealing. Which one is best for you really depends on what you’re seeking from your travels. Some people want the Spring Break party atmosphere of topless beaches and nearby nightlife. Other people want to enjoy quiet kayaking and birdwatching. There is an option for everyone in Miami so get your swimsuit and your sunscreen and get ready to go!

Tags: beaches | florida | Miami | North America | United States