The Perfect Beach Day In Bal Harbour

If you’re craving a beach day where quiet relaxation, natural beauty and leisurely activities co-exist, pack your towel and head for the enclave of Bal Harbour.

Situated just north of Miami Beach, Bal Harbour is a natural paradise where pristine, white-sand beaches offer a front-row seat to calm waters in gorgeous layers of blue. It’s a quiet and peaceful escape. Here, you can alternate between peaceful moments, playful activities and many luxurious shopping and dining experiences.

Here’s how to spend the perfect beach day in Bal Harbour.

Relax on the Beach

You’re here to enjoy this gorgeous one-mile stretch of beach, and we suggest unfurling a towel in the soft sand to read or watch the waves roll in. Splash around in the aquamarine water or build castles in the sand with your family.

Get Active

When you’re done relaxing, hit the scenic Bal Harbour Beach Path that winds along the ocean. You can walk or jog the path, which is always bustling with a mix of locals and vacationers enjoying a leisurely stroll or a vigorous workout. A highlight of this walk is Bal Harbour Pier, a jetty that stretches into the ocean. This is a great place to stop and see pelicans diving into the water for their next meal. Depending on the time and day, you may see a variety of boats and yachts motoring by. This is a great spot to try your hand at fishing. You can walk out and see what locals are catching or cast a line yourself.

There is also a designated trail on the hard-packed sand for biking or walking your pet. You can rent CitiBikes from a station at 96th Street or, if you’re staying at one of the resorts, you can set off on one of their beach cruisers. Whether you explore the path on foot or by bike, the stunning ocean views will inspire you to keep going.

If you need more excitement, there are Jet Ski and kayak rentals available at nearby Haulover Beach.

Lunch with a View

Even when you exit the beach, you don’t have to leave those views behind. Enjoy a Greek-inspired meal at Atlantikos restaurant at the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, where you can sit outside and soak up the beach breezes as well as vistas of the pool and ocean. Or move to the secluded Ritz-Carlton, Bal Harbour to dine on the tranquil terrace of Artisan Beach House. Here, you’ll find fresh seafood dishes and craft cocktails served alongside views of the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway.

Shopping

When you’re ready to take a break from the sun, splurge on some retail therapy at Bal Harbour Shops. This open-air mall is lined with high-end shops and trendy restaurants, all nestled amid tropical landscaping and koi ponds. You’ll find prestigious brands including Chanel, Balenciaga, Gucci, Prada and Zimmermann, along with specialty department stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus.

Stay at a Bal Harbour Hotel

If you want to turn your Bal Harbour beach day into a true getaway, there are several oceanfront hotels to consider.

For uber-luxury, dreamy ocean views and impeccable service (such as being attended to by a butler), choose The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort. Reserve one of their lavish, oceanfront day villas, float in their two infinity pools, and then retreat to the bar each evening for the Champagne sabering ritual to celebrate the sunset.

Perched above the glistening Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway, you’ll find The Ritz-Carlton, Bal Harbour, which has bragging rights to a beach that feels like your own sanctuary. When you’re not sunning on a comfy bed in the sand or swimming in the pool, indulge in a pampering treatment at exhale Spa, which looks out to the ocean.

For something more laid back, reserve a room at the Sea View Hotel, where you can spend your vacation alternating between lounging on the beach, dipping in the pool or taking a nap in a tropical cabana.