Miami is a beautiful, large coastal city in Florida. It’s home to palm-tree-lined beaches, perfect weather, and turquoise-blue waters.
Miami has a seemingly endless amount of restaurants, bars, and shops to explore and keep you busy. It is the ideal place to have a vacation.
It is a great place to visit but can be overcrowded and busy.
It’s infamous among party-goers and even celebrities for its fun atmosphere. Because of its gorgeous beaches and lively environment, it’s one of the most visited places in the world.
While all this is exciting, the party can be never-ending, and sometimes a relaxing day is needed.
Here, we’ll dive into the best quiet beaches in Miami for when you just need a break from all the commotion.
So whether you’re visiting Miami to party and need a step away from the craze or you’re here to park yourself on the beach and relax, this list is for you. We are going to take you off the beaten path and where the cruise ships don’t go.
Quiet Beaches in Miami to Avoid the Crowds
If you need to break away from the crowds of people and find a quiet beach to relax on, this list will be your best friend.
Here are the best quiet beaches in Miami to avoid crowds.
Biscayne Bay, Florida
Biscayne Bay is cradled by Miami to the left and barrier islands to the right. The entire bay is home to two state preserves, a wildlife area, Biscayne National Park, and a national marine sanctuary, so it’s of much importance.
Biscayne Bay travels much further south than just Miami, all the way down to the Florida keys.
Here you will find some great beaches on the bay in Miami that are quiet. If you stick to the southern part of the city along Biscayne Bay, the beaches are much quieter than if you’re near Miami Beach.
For instance, the barrier island of Key Biscayne has two parks that have beautiful beaches. Virginia Key is another small island with a historic beach park.
Both have great, quiet beaches in Miami. The drive to these islands is very scenic; you can visit by car, so don’t worry about logistics. All of the beaches have easy access and parking.
Spend a day exploring these islands and relaxing on the quiet beach where all you need to focus on is the sound of the waves.
Below, you can learn more about each of the barrier islands.
1. Sunny Isles Beach, Florida
North of Miami Beach, Sunny Isles Beach is a barrier island situated between the Atlantic Ocean and Dumfoundling Bay, which is part of the Intracoastal Waterway.
Here you can get away from the hustle and bustle on mainland Miami and enjoy the renowned beaches. With miles of powdery, white sand, and turquoise water.
Here you will find immediate relaxation.
This barrier island has many restaurants, museums, shopping, and public parks, but the most notable thing about it is its top-notch beaches.
It’s also home to the only public fishing pier in Miami, Newport Fishing Pier, which spans over 700 feet.
There are several high-end resorts on the island and plenty of public beach access. The Samson Oceanfront Park hosts concerts throughout the year and has a playground, picnic area, green space, and public restrooms just before the beach.
2. Crandon Park Beach, Florida
Crandon Park is an 800-acre park on the barrier island of Key Biscayne. The park is home to a golf course, tennis court, nature center, marina, volleyball courts, and of course, a beautiful beach.
It’s a great place to relax, kayak, have a picnic, paddle board, kite board, or just lay in the sand enjoying the warm weather.
The two-mile-long beach is one of the best beaches in Florida.
You can also rent a 100-square-foot cabana with a private shower and designated parking spot for the day.
Also, take advantage of the opportunities to rent beach chairs, use the grills and picnic tables, and visit the concession stand for a delicious snack or refreshing drink.
If you’re up for it they even have kayak rentals.
It’s the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing day with friends and family.
3. Bal Harbour Beach, Florida
Bal Harbour is at the very end of Miami Beach. If you want the best of both worlds by partying it up on Miami Beach and having the opportunity to relax on Bal Harbour Beach, this would be a great option.
You could spend your morning rejuvenating under the sun and spend your afternoon making new friends and playing games on Miami beach.
Otherwise, Bal Harbour alone is a beautiful beach to enjoy. This is also an excellent beach for swimming because the water is very calm.
This beach area is also known for its high-end shopping and gourmet restaurants. Spend time on the beach and then get a reprieve from the sun by going to air-conditioned stores.
The one-mile beach also has a nice scenic path if you want to exercise a bit. The Bal Harbour Pier has a jetty that goes out into the ocean for amazing views and is a great place to walk.
Overall, this is a wonderful beach to enjoy.
4. Historic Virginia Key Beach Park, Florida
Located on the barrier island of Virginia Key along the Biscayne Bay, Historic Virginia Key Beach Park is a wonderful beach to visit.
It feels far removed from the craze and bustle of the city. The park is 863 acres with beautiful views of the bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
The beach has walking and bike trails, a vintage carousel, train rides, food vendors, and many picnic tables.
Even better than all that, the beach is like a well-kept secret. It’s private and rarely crowded. It’s a great place to swim, but an even better place to explore.
A miniature train will take you around the area, and there is a nature boardwalk filled with hammocks.
The beach was historically a segregated beach and, in 2002, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
This beautiful beach park has a lot to do, learn, and explore.
5. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
Located near Crandon Park, this state park has a very peaceful beach. It’s home to a lighthouse and has picnic tables so you can enjoy lunch with a view.
The park is located on Key Biscayne and is the perfect beach to spend your day relaxing.
While in the park, hike the historic lighthouse and enjoy the views from the top. There are also miles of nature trails, a shower station, and dog-friendly areas.
If you plan to spend an entire day at the park, and stay for sunset, it’s truly phenomenal.
6. Hobie Island Beach Park, Florida
Located on the barrier island of Virginia Key, this park is best known for being dog-friendly. It is also a great place for certain water sports, especially windsurfing and jet skiing.
Hobie Beach is often nicknamed Windsurfer Beach because of how popular the sport is here. For over 20 years, there have been windsurfing rentals on this beach, and it has become a very prominent sport in the area.
The waters are also calm and shallow, allowing kids and dogs to swim safely.
You can also enjoy stellar views of the Miami skyline from this beach. Ample parking and several public restrooms provide the needed amenities for a relaxing day on the beach with or without your favorite furry friend.
7. Matheson Hammock Park, Florida
This beach is located on mainland Florida in the Bay of Biscayne. Matheson Hammock Park is a family-friendly beach and isn’t typically overcrowded.
The beach also has a wonderful man-made atoll pool so your children can safely swim. The saltwater pool is completely surrounded by land, so it’s safe for the entire family.
This quiet beach is a great option. It also has a full-service marina, restaurant, and small store if you’re in need of anything.
The beach is popular among water sports enthusiasts. There are kayak, canoe, and kiteboarding rentals available on the beach.
In all, if you’re looking for a safe and quiet beach to bring small children to, this is the absolute best option. Whether you’re looking for a beach for your family or not, this is a wonderful place to spend the day.
8. North Shore Beach, Florida
This beach is cradled by the Atlantic Ocean on its right and the North Beach Oceanside Park on its left. It’s located on a barrier island in North Miami.
The beach provides the opportunity to rent umbrellas, and there are quick food places if you’re hungry.
It’s also part of an 8-mile boardwalk that leads to South Beach, which is much busier. If you’re looking for a quiet beach, this area is great.
If you want to enjoy the slow and quietness of this beach but also all the happenings southbound, use the boardwalk and make your way towards Miami and South Beach.
9. Surfside Beach, Florida
Surfside is north of North Beach. The beach has a lifeguard on duty daily, so it’s an excellent place for swimming and bringing the whole family.
The beach has a large boardwalk for strolling and a bike path. The downtown area just steps away, where you’ll find many restaurants and other establishments.
The downtown area is very walkable, making the whole Surfside experience even better. The downtown area has a small-town charm that is unmatchable.
Spend the day lounging under the sun and then grab a drink and a bite to eat in town.
Because it’s so uncrowded, you’ll feel like you’re on a private beach.
Enjoy the views of the ocean, the lush sand dunes, and the picturesque, retro downtown.
If you’ll be visiting in the winter months from January to April, there is an event known as Third Thursdays, an evening block party with entertainment, food, and more.
It’s just another example of the community and charm of Surfside. This area is a great place to visit and one of the best beaches to explore.
Conclusion
Even though Miami isn’t normally known for its quiet, sanctuary-style beaches, they do exist in the bustling city!
They’re not hard to find, either. There are quiet beaches all over the city worth checking out and exploring.
If relaxing under the warm sun, reading a book, swimming, or walking the shore interests you, this is a great list of beaches to start with.
Partying isn’t for everyone, or maybe you just need a break from it and a fantastic quiet beach you can call home for the day.
There are so many beaches to choose from, but hopefully, one of the beaches on this list has sparked your interest!
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