Beautiful Sunny Isles Beach
- October 08, 2026
Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway, Sunny Isles Beach offers two miles of pristine white-sand shoreline with a pace that feels worlds away from the bustle of South Beach. The barrier island city beckons beach lovers, families and water sports enthusiasts looking for an unhurried stretch of coastline with no shortage of things to do, places to eat and resorts to call home for a few days. Clean and endlessly scenic, Sunny Isles Beach has earned the nickname “Florida’s Riviera.”
Getting to the Beach
With 22 access points along the coast, getting to the sand is never a hassle. Each entry is well-maintained with paved walkways, and amenities like showers, restrooms and picnic areas make it easy to settle in for a full day under the Florida sun.
If you need a specialized beach wheelchair, you can request a Mobi-mat from the Ocean Rescue Service at Samson Oceanfront Park. Call the Cultural and Community Services Department at 305-792-1706 or ask a lifeguard at any of the 10 lifeguard towers. These chairs are built to move easily over soft sand and reach the water, making the beach accessible.
Where to Park
You’ll find metered parking all over Sunny Isles Beach, with several municipal lots and public garages open to visitors. Most lots charge $2 per hour; the Ellen Wynne and Pier Park lots charge $3 per hour. Street parking is mostly for residents.
Municipal parking lots:
- Pier Park Lot, 16501 Collins Ave. (a great option for the Newport Fishing Pier)
- Lehman Causeway Lot, 19160 Collins Ave.
- Walgreens Lot, 175th Street and Atlantic Boulevard
Public parking garages:
- Gateway Park Parking Garage, 151 Sunny Isles Blvd.
- Heritage Park Garage, 19200 Collins Ave.
Parks and Green Space
Sunny Isles Beach is home to 11 waterfront parks for all ages and activities. Gateway Park is a local favorite, with a butterfly garden, a play area with an interactive water feature and a stage for performances and celebrations.
Samson Oceanfront Park serves as one of the area’s best gathering spots for families and outdoor enthusiasts. The park sits right next to the beach and features a boardwalk and a shaded pavilion with picnic tables. When kids are done building sandcastles, they can head to the playground or try the beach volleyball court.
Fishing and Strolling the Pier
Miami’s only public fishing pier, the Newport Fishing Pier, is a historic landmark open every day for fishing and sightseeing. It is located behind The Sunny hotel at Pier Park. The pier welcomes casual walkers looking to catch an ocean breeze and anglers casting a line. The pier also features Sandbar at Newport Pier, the only spot in Miami where you can sip a drink above the Atlantic Ocean. Pier Park rounds out the experience with beach access, a lifeguard station, restrooms and showers.
Insider tip: You can reach Newport Fishing Pier from several spots in Sunny Isles Beach, and from the Aventura Mall, by using the free City Bus service.
Get Active on the Water
With its abundance of outdoor activities such as Jet Skis, paddleboarding, surfing, boogie boarding and kayaking, Sunny Isles is one of Miami’s best watersports destinations. Many operators, like Sunny Isles Beach Water Sports, rent equipment and offer a variety of tours and lessons so you can hit the water like a pro. Join its Saturday Surf Club to take advantage of discounted half- and full-day adventures.
Where to Dine on the Beach
Tahiti Beach
Few beach dining experiences in Sunny Isles Beach balance laid-back and elevated quite like Tahiti Beach. Grab a seat under one of the colorful umbrellas and graze on fresh salads and handhelds or go for one of the French-Mediterranean selections like marinated anchovies, crab and shrimp soup or chicken Paillard. Can’t leave the sand? Delivery to the beach is available.
Avra Estiatorio Miami
Avra Estiatorio Miami brings the spirit of Greece’s coastal tavernas to Sunny Isles Beach. The alfresco setting draws from the seaside dining culture found across Greece’s 200-plus islands, while the menu leans into that same tradition. Think crispy zucchini and eggplant chips with tzatziki, fresh-caught seafood flown in daily from the Mediterranean and other refined Greek classics.
Where to Stay
Acqualina Resort & Residences on the Beach
The Acqualina Resort & Residences on the Beach has earned the AAA Five Diamond Award for 18 consecutive years, reflecting its elegant accommodations, dining, wellness offerings and service. Relax poolside under one of the signature red umbrellas set against a Mediterranean-inspired backdrop, or grab a cabana closer to the water’s edge. The hardest decision you'll face is choosing between a spa treatment at Acqualina Spa and a meal at Il Mulino New York.
Solé Miami
Solé Miami is a chic boutique hotel with upscale amenities, a private beach club and sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean. Floor-to-ceiling windows and a balcony in every guestroom mean the ocean is never far from sight. Spend afternoons poolside with a cocktail or pull up a seat at BALEENkitchen for its creative take on global cuisine.
