Homestead FloridaBEACHES & WATERFRONT ESCAPES
Listed below are the best beaches and waterfront escapes near Homestead, Florida.
1. Homestead Bayfront Park & Marina
FAMILY-FRIENDLY ATOLL BEACH
Homestead Bayfront Park & Marina sits on the edge of Biscayne Bay, offering a scenic waterfront setting with a small sandy beach and the popular atoll pool for safe, enclosed swimming. Visitors enjoy sunbathing, beachside picnics, a playground, and access to fishing and boating from the marina, making it a favorite with families and outdoor enthusiasts. Its laid-back atmosphere, clean facilities, and ample picnic areas, plus easy access to Biscayne National Park, make it a standout destination in South Dade.
2. Biscayne National Park - Dante Fascell Visitor Center
GATEWAY TO THE BAY
The Dante Fascell Visitor Center serves as the main access point to Biscayne National Park's glassy waters and mangrove-fringed shoreline. While the Visitor Center itself isn't a swimming spot, it offers docks, scenic water views, and is the jumping-off place for guided boat tours, snorkeling excursions, and kayaking adventures into Biscayne Bay. The peaceful setting and educational displays about the park's unique marine life add to its appeal for outdoor adventurers.
3. Black Point Park & Marina
MANGROVE SHORELINE RETREAT
Black Point Park & Marina is a scenic waterfront park located northeast of Homestead, featuring a long boardwalk along calm mangrove-lined waters. The park provides boat ramps, kayak and canoe access, as well as fishing piers and a casual restaurant with sunset views, making it a hub for water-based recreation. Its tranquil, natural setting appeals to locals looking to escape the city's bustle for a day by the bay.
4. Matheson Hammock Park
LAGOON BEACH EXPERIENCE
Matheson Hammock Park is renowned for its unique manmade atoll pool, which is naturally flushed by the tidal action of Biscayne Bay and surrounded by palm trees and sand. Families flock here for safe swimming, kiteboarding, and relaxing picnics, with panoramic views of the Miami skyline across the water. The elegant, old-Florida charm and calm atmosphere set it apart among Miami's waterfront escapes.
5. Crandon Park Beach
VAST SANDY SHORELINE
Crandon Park Beach offers a two-mile stretch of white sand, shallow waters, and plenty of palm-shaded picnic spots, making it a classic Miami-area seaside escape. The beach is known for gentle waves, cabana rentals, picnic facilities, and walking and biking trails, as well as a family amusement center and playground. Its lively yet relaxed atmosphere draws both locals and tourists for sunbathing, volleyball, and water sports.
6. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
HISTORIC LIGHTHOUSE BEACH
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park features a pristine Atlantic Ocean beach backed by dunes and the iconic Cape Florida Lighthouse, offering a blend of natural beauty and local history. Visitors can swim, kayak, or cycle through the park's trails, then climb the lighthouse for sweeping island views. Its uncrowded shoreline and rich wildlife viewing opportunities make it a favorite for those seeking a quieter beach day.
7. South Pointe Park and Beach
ICONIC MIAMI BEACH VIEWS
South Pointe Park and Beach lies at the southern tip of Miami Beach, offering a wide sandy beachfront, panoramic ocean and cruise ship views, and an active pier for fishing and strolling. The area is popular for swimming, sunbathing, and watching the sunset, with lush green spaces and playgrounds nearby. Its energetic vibe and dramatic setting make it a must-visit spot for a classic Miami Beach day.
8. Virginia Key Beach Park
HISTORIC ISLAND ESCAPE
Virginia Key Beach Park, located adjacent to downtown Miami, features long sandy beaches, calm waters for swimming, and a rich history as a formerly segregated beach for African Americans. Today, it's a recreation hot spot with picnic pavilions, walking trails, and mountain biking, all set against a backdrop of soothing ocean views and native coastal vegetation. Its blend of cultural heritage and natural beauty makes it a one-of-a-kind destination.
9. Oleta River State Park
URBAN RIVERFRONT OASIS
Oleta River State Park, Florida's largest urban park, borders Biscayne Bay and is famous for its network of waterways, sandy swimming beach, and extensive kayaking and paddleboarding routes. Nature lovers appreciate the peaceful mangrove-lined trails and the opportunity to spot dolphins and manatees in the calm waters. The park's combination of serene riverfront, sand, and shady picnic areas is unique in the urban Miami area.
10. Harry Harris Park
KEYS-STYLE BEACH PARK
Harry Harris Park, just south of Homestead in the Upper Florida Keys, offers a small sandy beach, protected swimming lagoon, and laid-back atmosphere ideal for families. With ample picnic tables, a playground, boat ramp, and clear, usually calm waters, it's a favorite for safe swimming and snorkeling near the shore. The park's distinctive blend of beach and keys culture provides a relaxing alternative to busier beaches closer to Miami.