Haulover Beach Park
Miami Beach, FL
Haulover Beach Park runs along a barrier island between the Atlantic and Biscayne Bay, with a long stretch of ocean beach at its center and a clothing optional section at the north end that's been drawing visitors for decades. A dedicated dog beach and bark park sit near the south lots, unusual amenities for a county beach this size.
The combination of a real dog beach, a clothing optional section, and a long stretch of regular family beach gives it more range than most Miami beaches, though the variety also means picking the right section matters more here.
How we score beachesHead to the north end past lifeguard tower 12 if the clothing optional section is the draw, it's staffed by volunteers who keep things low key and family oriented. The dog beach between towers 2 and 3 only runs mornings, 8am to 3pm, so plan a beach day around your dog's schedule if that's the goal.
There's a 2 dollar per vehicle user fee, with additional metered parking in some lots. Weekend and holiday rates run higher at 7 to 10 dollars depending on the lot.
Paved paths lead from the lots to the beach across most of the park, flat and easy going. The clothing optional section at the north end is a longer walk from the nearest lot than the main beach.
Dogs are welcome off leash in a designated beach section between lifeguard towers 2 and 3 from 8am to 3pm, with a fenced bark park nearby; leashes are required everywhere else in the park.
Winter and spring bring South Florida's mildest, driest weather and the biggest snowbird crowds. Summer's heat and hurricane season, June through November, thin the crowds some on weekdays despite the warmest water of the year.
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