Everyone Always Goes to South Beach in Florida: Go Here Instead

Loud, fun, and eclectic, it’s easy to see why Miami’s South Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the entire world. But, as a Miamian, I’ll let you in on a secret: locals don’t go to South Beach when we’re looking to spend a day by the sea. It’s simply too touristy and crowded, and parking can be a nightmare. Instead, I typically choose less popular spots, with my favorite being the beautiful Haulover Park Beach. Easy parking, fewer crowds, and more greenery make it one of the best hidden beaches in Miami, and possibly in all of Florida. 

Why Haulover Beach Is Better Than South Beach

While South Beach has its charm, I sometimes find it difficult to deal with the crowds and fight for a spot in the sand. Peaceful Haulover Beach is never as crowded as its famous cousin, so the experience is much more pleasant throughout. I like that the beach is part of an urban park, so while you’ll see the city's iconic high-rises in the distance, you’ll be surrounded by the blue Atlantic Ocean on one side and tall greenery on the other. Besides, Haulover has something that South Beach could never offer: a nudist section. This is definitely not for everyone, but I appreciate that those who want to get even tan lines have the option! Don’t worry, though — this is a tiny 0.4-mile section of the beach and the rest of the 1.5 miles of sand are family-friendly. 

The beach is very close to cool yet underrated spots like Oleta River State Park—a green oasis in the middle of the urban sprawl where you can kayak through mangroves and BBQ by the water—and quirky Raccoon Island, a tiny spot overrun by the cunning creatures. It’s easy to plan an exciting day in the area around Haulover Beach.

What to Expect When You Visit Haulover Beach

Unlike other underrated beaches in Florida, Haulover isn’t remote or difficult to get to. Visiting is as easy as driving 30 minutes north of South Beach and leaving your car in the park’s dedicated parking lots. There's no fighting with other cars or awkwardly parallel parking on the street. At Haulover, you simply show up, pick a spot, and then walk to the beach through a tunnel that keeps you from crossing busy streets filled with zooming cars.  

You won’t have to sacrifice amenities as you would in other secret Florida beaches. There are restroom facilities, and people with limited mobility can rent beach wheelchairs to move more easily in the sand. Lifeguard houses provide both safety and fun photo ops, and a marina lets you head out on your own boat. Beyond the water, there’s a nine-hole golf course, tennis courts, a leash-free dog park, and even a kite flying area with a dedicated kite shop. My favorite thing about the park (besides the beach, of course) is its weekly food truck event, held every Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. To me, Haulover is one of the best beaches in Florida, and it beats South Beach in almost every aspect—except fame.

Is It Worth Skipping South Beach?

It’s true that South Beach is full of tourists and boisterous college students. The bathrooms are rarely clean, and there’s typically loud music blasting from somewhere. Even so, I wouldn’t tell people to skip it on their first visit to Miami. The beach is iconic for a reason. It’s surrounded by beautiful Art Deco buildings, making it one of the most colorful places in all of Florida and certainly a landmark that you should see at least once. If you'd rather not deal with the noisy masses, you can do as I do and visit very early in the morning. I’ve done this while staycationing at the beautiful Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel and found the usually rowdy beach to be lovely in the early hours when it becomes as quiet as less-crowded beaches.