Beaches, Beaches, Beaches?!?!

Hello! It is my first time in Miami and I am a huge beach fanatic. I was wondering which beaches are the most beautiful and have the best water for swimming, snorkeling and water sports. Thanks!

Beaches, Beaches, Beaches?!?!

If snorkeling is your priority, go to Key West or the Upper Keys. If white sandy beaches are your priority, go to the Gulf beaches. You will get water sports at either place.

Beaches, Beaches, Beaches?!?!

All of Miami Beach is public (the actual sandy beach part). However the personality often changes from different areas depending upon what%26#39;s on the shore side of that section of the beach.

For your first visit, I%26#39;d suggest you explore South Beach which is the most southern 2 miles or so of Miami Beach. Miami Beach is a separate city from Miami.

The areas withing Miami Beach are often identified by the cross street. Collins is the main drag north and south. 1st Street identified pretty much the most southern tip of Miami Beach and it goes on up as you head north. The rule-of-thumb that 10 blocks is a mile is fairly true.

There are not hard rules but here are some generalities.

The most southern area (around 1st Street) is locals - lots of Latin music and families.

5th through 12th Street backs up to a park (and Ocean Drive). This area is very much public with locals, visitors, families, everything.

The area around 12th (or withing a block or two) is sometimes the gay area (more so over weekends). The area is usually identified with more-than-usual flags of rainbow color.

12th through 20th is lots of tourists as this area backs up to many of the nicer hotels such as Loews, Ritz-Carlton, Royal Palm, Delano, Shore Club, etc. This is where we usually hang out. We typically hang out right around the 17th Street Lifeguard Stand.

We often stay at the DoubleTree Surfcomber right up from that area which has an outdoor tiki bar that welcomes non-guests (and a facilities for customers). There are beach chairs and umbrellas for rent. A concession stand nearby that has surprisingly good food. Wifey likes this area as topfree is fairly common so she doesn%26#39;t have to go first - LOL.

The water is pretty much the same all up and down South Beach. Water sports are in a few places run by third-party companies. As for snorkeling, I%26#39;m not sure if anyplace along there is very interesting as it%26#39;s mostly sand. For the best snorkeling, you really need to go to at least Key Largo which is the beginning of the Florida Keys (a little over an hours drive away).

Hope that helps - and don%26#39;t forget that sunscreen! I%26#39;ve seen too many folks ruin their vacation by getting too burnt on their first day out!