Beaches in Miami and southest Florida are amongst the best in the
whole of the U.S. They are sandy, well-maintained,
clean and well-patrolled with public facilities. Loungers and parasols are available at many of
the beaches for rental. But a warning: don't stay
too long in the sun as you may easily burn - be sure to wear
sunscreen! The sea is warm and clean.
Swim only when it is safe to do so (indicated by
lifeguards' flags). On some of the beaches there
is a danger of riptides, strong currents created
by winds blowing towards the shore which push
people out to sea, making it difficult for them
to swim back. Also watch for a jellyfish, the Portugese man-of-war - their sting is painful. If
stung, ask the lifeguard for help.
The most popular
beach is South Beach or Lummus Park Beach,
between 5th and 14th Streets in Miami. It is a white,
sandy beach, very crowded over weekends, but has
good facilities. Also try 21st Street Beach on
Collins Avenue, where the boardwalk starts. Then
there are public beaches at 53rd-63rd Street
Beach, between 88th-98th Streets, at Surfside and
Bal Harbour Beach. After this you come to Haulover Park Beach, one of the best in the area
(part of this beach is a nudist beach and part
gay).
In North Miami
Beach there are almost two miles of beaches
starting at 163rd Street. After crossing into
Broward County, you have a public beach at
Hallandale (with limited facilities). You then
come to one of the best in the area, Hollywood
Beach: 2.2 miles long with a broadwalk for walking,
rollerblading and cycling in a separate lane. Almost all along
Hollywood Beach there are shops, restaurants and cafes. There is
also the Johnson Street Open Air Theatre which has free musical
performances every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and
occasionally on Fridays.
Fort Lauderdale
Beach is superb with great facilities. (Take a look at a
webcam of
it!) There are now very few Spring Break revellers (Fort
Lauderdale was a top Spring Break destination in the
1960s-1990s) as they are strongly discouraged.
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