Reviewed by Jennifer M. Wood
Give us the wide-angle view: what kind of beach are we talking about?
You came to Miami. You weren't planning to avoid the sand right? Well, there’s no way you’ll be able to resist the wide, white-sand beaches of South Beach. Running the length of more than 15 city blocks, this beach has a party reputation for a reason. Although you’ll see plenty of wild things as you saunter up and down—no, nude sunbathing isn’t technically allowed, but yes, you’ll see a lot of it—South Beach is big enough that it won’t be hard to find your very own slice of it. That’s not to say you won’t be surrounded by hundreds of other sun worshippers looking to soak up every ray that they can, but even at its most crowded times, the beach is wide enough to give you a bit of breathing room.
How accessible is it?
South Beach is a public beach that's free and open to everyone. And it's easily accessible by foot, though the most scenic part on the southern end, via Lummus Park, which runs along Ocean Drive from 5th to 15th streets. This is where you'll see people getting serious about volleyball, plus oil-slicked guys doing pull-ups. It's been used as the backdrop for just about every movie and TV show set in Miami, so it'll all look familiar.
Decent services and facilities, would you say?
Just like those iconic and brightly colored lifeguard stations you’ve likely seen in pictures, South Beach is lined with kiosks (courtesy of Boucher Brothers) where you can rent lounge chairs and umbrellas. Just be warned that it’s not cheap; a day of lounging and protecting yourself from the sun can easily cost a couple $50 or more. But here’s a pro tip: Many South Beach hotels—even those that don’t boast oceanfront views—offer free beach chairs for the day. If you’re staying for a few days and have your sights set on the beach, it’s worth opting for a hotel that offers this service. Better yet, choose a hotel that has a beach club of its own.
As for food and drink: there are bare-bones snack bars along the beach peddling convenience-store basics (bottles of water, candy, etc.). If you’re looking for something more substantial and want a short break from the sun, Ocean Drive is lined with bars and restaurants, though they push their food and drinks aggressively (sometimes a bit too aggressively!). While most of these spots don’t mind if you show up in beach gear, a cover-up or t-shirt is always appreciated.
How’s the actual beach stuff—sand and surf?
You’ll see more people lounging by the water than you will actually going into it, which is strange given its crystalline hue and warm temps. Even in the coldest months (well, “cold” for Miami), the water usually stays above 70 degrees, which is perfect for a dip. You’ll see some people swimming, kids splashing around, and couples taking the long way along the surf. But the majority of the crowd seems perfectly content to stay posing—err, seated—on the sand.
Can we go barefoot?
The farther north you go on Miami Beach, the narrower—and less white-sand—the beach becomes. That's because South Beach is man made; however, it’s very sandy, and you don't need to worry about rocks and other debris damaging your feet.
Anything we should look out for?
Since there’s really no shade on the beach itself (which is why you’ll want to bring or rent an umbrella), the sand can get hot. Like, really hot. So make sure you bring sandals; otherwise, you'll feel like you’re walking on coals.
What—and who—is this beach best for? South Beach is world-famous for a reason. And while you’ll probably find it slightly tamer than what you’ve seen on reality shows, this is a place where people come to party. But the sandy stretch also attracts a huge population of European travelers, plus lots of families, so there’s really no one-size-fits-all type of beachgoer. Even if you’re not big on sitting in the sun, it’s worth taking a stroll up or down the beach to see what all the fuss is about. If you wait until the late afternoon (around 4pm) the crowds will have thinned out a bit.
