Gone are your days of lounging under a beach umbrella with a book and a mojito!  Now, beach vacays are all about chasing tiny humans down the shoreline, dodging seagull snack attacks, and applying sunscreen to squirming toddlers.

Beneath Miami’s glitzy and grown-up reputation lies a wealth of kid-friendly beaches where sandcastles are sacred, waves are gentle, and snacks are never more than a few steps away.

Whether your tiny tots are into tide pool treasure hunts, splashy wave jumping, or just rolling around like happy beach potatoes, there’s a perfect spot waiting for you in Miami.

This Kidmoto guide will steer you through the best beaches for families, complete with the kind of tips only a juice-box-carrying adult could appreciate.

Let’s dive in—floaties first!

Beaches for Swimming

Miami is a good spot for swimming. Older kids can go right into the water, the waves aren’t very rough. Be wary of swimming during peak hurricane season in summer and fall when the Atlantic gets choppy. Always follow the lifeguard’s signs to check if it is safe to swim.

Safer beaches with shallow and calm waters and atolls do exist for younger children learning to swim. Here’s a list:

• Crandon Park Beach (shallow and calm waters)
• Matheson Hammock Park (a human-made atoll that is perfect for kids to play in)
• Historic Virginia Key Beach Park (shallow waters)
• Hobie Beach (shallow waters)
• South Pointe Park Beach (wading pool, splash park)

Note: Miami waters are home to a variety of sharks. When the water gets warm during summer, Blacktips will arrive. Best to avoid swimming near the drop-off during this time.

Beaches for Sports, Activities & Water Sports

Miami is teeming with options for water sports, beachside team sports, and other activities. There are plenty of rental facilities available on almost all beaches for paddleboarding, kiteboarding, kayaking and snorkeling. Flying kites is something you need to try out with the kids at Haulover Beach.

Miami beaches don’t get a lot of high-quality waves to tempt pro surfers, but they are perfect for first-timers to learn surfing. Beaches and their options are as follows:

• Crandon Park Beach (kiteboarding, paddleboarding, kayaking, tennis centre, golf course, windy boardwalk, plenty of volleyball courts)
• Matheson Hammock Park (kayaking, paddleboarding, kite surfing)
• South Pointe Park Beach (snorkeling)
• Historic Virginia Key Beach Park (biking, kayaking, kite surfing, wind surfing, snorkeling, you can see dolphins, manatees, and small fish)
• Oleta River State Park (biking trails, kayaking along mangrove trails)
• Hobie Beach (windsurfing)
• Haulover Beach (kite flying, tennis center, golf course)

Beaches for Sailing

You could charter a yacht for the afternoon at some of the sailing clubs there. There are also charter companies and boat tours for families wanting to enjoy a relaxed sailing experience around Miami.

• Matheson Hammock Park (full-service marina)

Beaches for Feasting

Miami is the place to go for Cuban cuisine, after Cuba, of course. There are plenty of high-end restaurants serving up fusion food, locally termed “Floribbean”. Don’t leave without trying stone crabs (seasonal, October 15 to May 1), Cuban pork sandwiches, pastelitos, ceviche, and empanadas. Add arepas, mamey milkshakes, Cubano, fritas, croqueta, and cortadito to the list as well! South Beach has several expensive (read overpriced) restaurants which you might want to give a miss. But you will find good dining options for your little foodies further away from the beachside promenades. Good beaches for feasting are:

• Bal Harbour
• South Beach (Joe’s Stone Crab, cafes, and al fresco dining options along Sunset Harbor and Española Way)
• Surfside Beach
• Mid-Beach
• North Beach
• Hobie Beach (great food trucks where you get cheeseburgers, Tacos, ceviche, French fries, drinks)
• Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park (Boater’s Grill for fresh seafood and Cuban cuisine, the Lighthouse Café)

Beaches for Trails & Biking

Miami has plenty of biking trails and parks alongside its most popular beaches. You can hire bikes at these locations or enjoy hiking with the kids along the beautiful trails. If you are lucky, you will be able to spot local wildlife.

• Crandon Park Beach
• Matheson Hammock Park
• Oleta River State Park
• Historic Virginia Key Beach Park

Beaches for Fishing

Fish at some of Miami’s jetties, piers, and marinas if deep-sea fishing is not your thing. You will need a Florida recreational fishing license, which you can get online from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission before you begin giving junior fishing lessons. Check whether you qualify for exemptions for a license. For deep-sea fishing, you will have to book a private fishing charter. Fishing spots in Miami are:

• Haulover Beach Park (fish at Haulover Inlet Jetty for jack crevalle, Spanish mackerel, bluefish, and red snapper)
• South Pointe Park Beach (snapper and Spanish mackerel)
• Oleta River State Park (you may catch snook, mangrove snapper, and spotted seatrout)
• Sunny Isles Beach (fishing at Newport Fishing Pier for snapper, grouper, and kingfish)
• Bal Harbour

Beaches with Children’s Play Areas

If you’re looking for playgrounds alongside the beaches for your little ones, there are several options. And you simply have to check out the vintage carousel at the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park. Beaches with dedicated children’s play areas are:

• South Pointe Park Beach (splash pads, children’s playgrounds)
• Historic Virginia Key Beach Park (ride the vintage carousel!)
• North Beach (playgrounds)

Beaches for Swim Picnics

Picnics and BBQs at Miami beaches are a budget-friendly thing to do with the little ones. If you are celebrating a special occasion or just want to relax, nothing sounds better than a cabana, a charcoal grill, and freshly grilled seafood. Here are some venue options for a relaxing swim picnic:

• Crandon Park Beach (cabanas for a shaded beach picnic)
• Matheson Hammock Park (shady picnic spots, picnic tables available but no BBQs)
• Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park (grills available, 18 picnic pavilions that need to be pre-booked)
• Haulover Beach Park (picnic tables and BBQs available)
• Historic Virginia Key Beach Park (cabanas, grills, but it’s an alcohol free zone)
• Oleta River State Park (designated picnic area)
• North Beach (picnic pavilions with grills)

Things Parents Need To Know About Miami Beach

• Showers & restrooms
  • Crandon Park Beach (available)
  • Matheson Hammock Park (available)
  • Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park (available)
  • Haulover Beach Park (available)
  • South Pointe Park Beach (outdoor showers available)
  • Historic Virginia Key Beach Park (outdoor showers available)
• Lifeguards & safety
  • Haulover Beach Park (available)
  • South Pointe Park Beach (available)
  • South Beach (available)
• Pets
  • Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park (dog-friendly)
  • Haulover Beach Park (dog parks available)
  • South Pointe Park Beach (off leash dogs allowed, poo bag dispensers)
  • Historic Virginia Key Beach Park (dog-friendly)
  • North Beach (dog parks)
  • Hobie Beach (dog-friendly)
• Parking

Parking along Miami’s beaches can be a nightmare, and you may have to wait a while before a spot opens up. If visiting during weekends, go early. Very early.

• Crandon Park Beach (free)
• Matheson Hammock Park (pay by phone)
• Haulover Beach Park
• Oleta River State Park (paid parking)
• Admission Fees

Some beaches are free, while those inside State Parks do have entrance fees.

• Matheson Hammock Park (approx $7)
• Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park (approx $8 per vehicle)
• Oleta River State Park ($4 entrance fees)
• Historic Virginia Key Beach Park ($5 on Monday-Thursday, $10.00 on Friday-Sunday, $12.00 on Holidays, RVs, BUS: $25.00)
• Addresses

Crandon Park Beach	6747 Crandon Blvd, Key Biscayne, FL 33149, United States
Matheson Hammock Park	9610 Old Cutler Rd, Coral Gables, FL 33156, United States
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park	1200 Crandon Blvd, Key Biscayne, FL 33149, United States
Haulover Beach Park	10800 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33154, United States
South Pointe Park Beach	1 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139, United States
Historic Virginia Key Beach Park	4020 Virginia Beach Dr, Miami, FL 33149, United States
Oleta River State Park	3400 NE 163rd St, North Miami Beach, FL 33160, United States
Hobie Beach	Old, Rickenbacker Cswy, Miami, FL 33149, United States
South Beach	Ocean Drive & 1st Street to Collins Avenue & 24th Street, Miami Beach
Mid Beach	Collins Avenue between 23rd Street and 46th Street
North Beach	Collins Ave. – 60th St. to 78th St., Miami Beach
Sunny Isles Beach	16501 Collins Ave, Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160, United States
Bal Harbour	Collins Ave. – 96th St. to Haulover Inlet, Bal Harbour
Surfside Beach	88th to 96th streets, 9301 Collins Ave., Surfside, FL

Wrapping Up

Miami Beaches are gorgeous places to relax with family. Swim close to lifeguard stations and follow the flags. If you are a water-loving family, you have to spend a couple of days just exploring the beaches. Pack sunscreen, and you are good to go!