By: Jennifer Agress
Incorporated in 1997 as “The City of Sun and Sea,” Sunny Isles Beach is Florida’s Riviera. Walk along its two miles of sparkling, white-sand beaches, and you’ll find opulent condominiums, luxurious oceanfront cabanas and empty stretches of sand just perfect for a quiet family getaway or a romantic trip for two. Sunny Isle Beach is lined by the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Intracoastal Waterway on the west, with an archipelago of residential finger islands in between and connects to Miami’s mainland by the William Lehman Causeway and the NE 163rd Street bridge. Check out all the area has to offer below.
Beach Access
While beach access may not be immediately obvious, you don’t want to miss a day on the sand in Sunny Isles Beach. Collins Avenue/A1A runs parallel to the water, most of which is lined by private residential buildings and towering resorts. Most street parking in the area is reserved for residents, but there is a municipal parking lot behind the Walgreens at 174th Street—right across from the public beach at Samson Oceanfront Park—where daytrippers can leave their car for the day for $2 per hour. There is another convenient municipal parking lot at Heritage Park with beach access pathways every few blocks that take visitors right to the neighborhood’s aquamarine waters.
Newport Fishing Pier
Located at the intersection of Sunny Isles Boulevard and Collins Avenue, Newport Fishing Pier is the only public fishing pier in Miami-Dade County. Originally built in 1982, this pier is also the only designated area for fishing in all of Sunny Isles Beach, as fishing is not allowed on any of the beaches or along the Intracoastal Waterway. The pier can be accessed through Pier Park, which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For a maximum $5 entry fee, visitors have access to fishing, restrooms, showers, beach access, the pier, a restaurant, bike racks and community shuttle service. Metered and public parking are nearby.
Public Parks
Sunny Isles Beach is home to more than ten public parks. The most popular one is Samson Oceanfront Park, where there’s a playground for little ones, a shaded picnic area, a beach with a lifeguard stand, a volleyball net, public restrooms, refreshments and a range of concerts and family activities throughout the year. To get there, park at the municipal lot at 174th Street and look for the bed of flowers and sculpture of a family that marks the entrance to the park.
The two-acre Pelican Community Park doubles as a center for activity, learning and community involvement in Sunny Isles Beach. It has the Phyllis and Raanan Katz Sports Center with indoor basketball and volleyball courts, and a two-story Community Center with classrooms, a fitness center and a variety of after-school and seasonal programs for children and adults. Outside, there’s the Chief Fred Maas Little League Field, a playground, picnic tables, solar electric charging stations and free WiFi. Just down the road, the larger Gateway Park has a performing arts stage, a butterfly garden, a play area with an interactive water feature and a community gathering space.
There are also three dog parks in Sunny Isles Beach. The Bone Zone at Senator Gwen Margolis Park is fenced in and leash-free. At Heritage Park, the Heritage Park Dog Zone is also leash-free and can be found at the south side of the park near the parking garage. Dogs are also allowed at Intracoastal Parks, but they have to be on a leash and containers are available for dog owners to pick up after their pet.
The Resort Experience
It’s hard to miss the lavish resorts that dot the Sunny Isles Beach shoreline. Towering 31 stories high, the Trump International Beach Resort feels more like an exclusive beach club than a hotel. Book a room here and spend your days lounging by oceanfront pools, getting pampered in the onsite beauty salon or extravagant spa, ordering room service or dining in one of four hotel restaurants. When you do, you’ll see firsthand why it earned four stars from Forbes Travel Guide 2019.
Just steps away, Solé Miami, A Noble House Resort is a boutique resort with bespoke amenities like beachside concerts, an oceanfront pool, water sports, a daily fireside happy hour on the beach and even build-your-own, complimentary s’mores. Coming off a property-wide renovation, the hotel destination offers a luxurious getaway for couples, families and colleagues alike. If you can’t stay for a weekend, stop by for dinner—the globally-inspired menu at BALEENkitchen includes eclectic preparations of seafood, meat, soups, pizzas, salads and more.
Finally, we can’t talk about luxury hotels in Sunny Isles Beach without mentioning its own Forbes Five-Star resort, Acqualina Resort & Spa. Bringing a taste of the Mediterranean Revival to South Florida, the resort’s palatial beachfront pool and patio is nothing if not regal. Think: deep red couches, cabanas, hammocks and lounges peeking out between swaying palms, pristine white-sand beaches and the Atlantic Ocean, which is just steps away from the back of the grandiose hotel lobby. Whether you’re a guest or not, you can still enjoy a beachfront lunch or cocktail at Costa Grill, an indulgent Italian feast at Il Mulino NY or a steak dinner with a Mediterannean twist at AQ Chop House by Il Mulino. And if you’re there for a meal, you might as well book yourself a day at the two-story Acqualina Spa by ESPA.
Activities and Entertainment
Whether you’re there throughout the week or over the weekend, there are plenty of community activities to keep you entertained in Sunny Isles Beach. Every month, check out the area’s Wednesday Outdoor Concert Series at Samson Oceanfront Park. Free and open to the public, this event invites guests to grab their beach chairs and picnic blankets and enjoy a concert under the stars. Another free event at the same park is Yoga Under the Moon. For this evening yoga class, participants can bring their own yoga mat or blanket and enjoy a guided meditation right on the sand, under a full moon.
If you want to get out on the water, head to Bella Beach—it’s the swanky oceanfront restaurant at the Trump International Beach Resort. Nearby, you’ll find jet skis, kayaks, a Hobie catamaran and snorkel gear available for rent, and even shaded lounge chairs that float right offshore.