Virginia Gardens FloridaBEACHES & WATERFRONT ESCAPES
Listed below are the best beaches and waterfront escapes near Virginia Gardens, Florida.
1. Virginia Key Beach North Point Park
HISTORIC BEACH WITH TRAILS
Virginia Key Beach North Point Park is just minutes away from Miami's downtown financial centers and top tourist destinations. The park features beautiful beaches, dense and healthy seagrass beds, and serves as an essential sea-turtle nesting beach with several threatened and endangered plant species. Visitors can enjoy over 10 miles of mountain biking trails built to International Mountain Biking Association standards, offering riders of all skill levels fun-filled trails to develop their skills and build family memories.
2. Historic Virginia Key Beach Park
EXOTIC FAMILY BEACH RETREAT
Historic Virginia Key Beach Park is located off the Rickenbacker Causeway, just minutes away from Miami's downtown area. The park offers a beautiful and exotic space with natural beauty that creates a perfect family ambiance. Visitors can enjoy the beach while being close to Miami's financial centers, top tourist destinations, sport facilities, retail, dining, and renowned educational institutions.
3. Crandon Park Beach
FAMILY-FRIENDLY TROPICAL PARADISE
Crandon Park Beach offers visitors a pristine two-mile stretch of sandy shores and calm waters on Key Biscayne. The beach features picnic areas, cabana rentals, and a nature center where families can explore the local ecosystem. With its shallow water and gentle waves, Crandon Park Beach is perfect for families with children looking for a safe and enjoyable beach experience.
4. South Beach
ICONIC ART DECO BEACH
South Beach is Miami's most famous stretch of sand, known for its vibrant atmosphere and colorful Art Deco architecture lining Ocean Drive. Visitors can enjoy crystal clear waters, wide sandy beaches, and world-class people-watching in this see-and-be-seen destination. Beyond swimming and sunbathing, South Beach offers excellent dining, shopping, and nightlife options just steps from the shore.
5. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
LIGHTHOUSE BEACH PARADISE
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park features one of the most beautiful beaches in the nation at the southern tip of Key Biscayne. The park is home to the historic Cape Florida Lighthouse, offering panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay to those who climb its 109 steps. Visitors can enjoy swimming, kayaking, cycling, fishing, and wildlife viewing across the park's natural beaches and coastal habitats.
6. Matheson Hammock Park
SCENIC ATOLL POOL
Matheson Hammock Park features a man-made atoll pool that is flushed naturally with the tides of Biscayne Bay, creating a safe and scenic swimming area for families. The 630-acre park offers beautiful views of the Miami skyline, lush vegetation, and access to walking trails through tropical hardwood hammocks. Visitors can also enjoy kiteboarding, paddleboarding, kayaking, and dining at the historic coral rock pavilion that houses a restaurant.
7. Oleta River State Park
URBAN KAYAKING HAVEN
Oleta River State Park is Florida's largest urban park, offering a natural oasis in the midst of the bustling Miami metropolitan area. The park features a sandy beach on Biscayne Bay, mangrove forests, and the winding Oleta River, perfect for kayaking and paddleboarding adventures. Visitors can also enjoy mountain biking on over 15 miles of off-road trails, fishing, swimming, and overnight cabin accommodations in this 1,043-acre recreational paradise.
8. Haulover Beach Park
DIVERSE RECREATIONAL BEACH
Haulover Beach Park spans 177 acres of beautiful oceanfront with white sand beaches and open ocean surf. The park is known for its clothing-optional northern section, but also offers family-friendly areas, a dog beach, and excellent surfing conditions. Visitors can enjoy picnic areas, concession stands, fishing from the jetty, and the famous kite-flying area where colorful kites regularly dot the sky.
9. Sunny Isles Beach
LUXURY OCEANFRONT ESCAPE
Sunny Isles Beach offers two miles of pristine white sand between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. The area is known as Florida's Riviera, featuring luxury high-rise accommodations alongside public beach access points and Newport Fishing Pier. Visitors can enjoy water sports, beach volleyball, children's playgrounds, and spectacular views of both sunrise over the ocean and sunset over the bay.
10. Biscayne National Park
UNDERWATER MARINE WONDERLAND
Biscayne National Park protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and vibrant coral reefs just minutes from downtown Miami. The park is 95% water, making it a paradise for boating, snorkeling, and diving enthusiasts who can explore shipwrecks and colorful marine life. Visitors can access the park via the Dante Fascell Visitor Center at Convoy Point, where they can arrange boat tours, rent kayaks, or enjoy the shoreline boardwalk with spectacular views of Biscayne Bay.