Beautiful Sunny Isles Beach

Sunny Isles Beach Guide

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 Isles 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. It’s connected to Miami’s mainland by the William Lehman Causeway and the Northeast 163rd Street bridge. Check out all the area has to offer below.

Beach Access

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 designated area for fishing in 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 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 mark the entrance to the park.

The two-acre Pelican Community Park doubles as a center for activities, learning and community involvement in Sunny Isles Beach. It’s home to 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. It 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. 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 32 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 and 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 2020.

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 complimentary build-your-own  s’mores.  Coming off a property-wide renovation, the hotel 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, steaks, 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 & Residences on the Beach. Bringing a taste of Mediterranean Revival to Miami, 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. While you’re here, set aside a day at the two-story Acqualina Spa by ESPA. Enjoy a beachfront lunch or cocktail at Costa Grill, an indulgent Italian feast at Il Mulino NY or a steak dinner with a Mediterranean twist at AQ by Il Mulino.

Activities and Entertainment

Whether you’re here 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 guided meditation right on the sand, under a full moon.

If you want to get out on the water, head to Gili’s Beach Club, 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.