If you’re a paddleboarding enthusiast who loves hovering above the water looking for marine life, a windsurfer who’s thrilled by gliding along the water propelled by the wind, or even a surfer, we have the top places in Greater Miami & Miami Beach for these popular sports.

Paddleboarding at dusk — Stand, paddle and explore Miami Beach’s waters

Paddleboarding In Miami Beach: Stunning Views & Spectacular Sea Life

Standup paddleboarding (SUP) can be enjoyed year-round in Miami Beach. Some people prefer paddleboards over kayaks because their low profile allows you to stand up and see better beneath the water. Paddle along the stunning shores of South Beach while looking for turtles, fish and other creatures or through the narrow Collins Canal to Biscayne Bay. Bou Yah Water Sports offers paddleboard rentals at several beachfront locations in Miami Beach, including Lummus Park and the Loews Miami Beach Hotel, so you can set off on your own paddleboarding adventure. Clear View Kayaks in Mid Beach also rents standup paddleboards.

Two kayakers at Biscayne National Park — Discover Biscayne Bay—paddle, explore, unwind

Pick Your Paddling Pleasure In Biscayne Bay

Calm and rich with marine life, Biscayne Bay is a treat for paddleboarders looking for adventure or serenity. The bay is vast and has numerous places to launch. Miami Beach Paddleboard in Sunset Harbour, on the Biscayne Bay side of Miami Beach, rents standup paddleboards and takes paddlers on sunset cruises through Biscayne Bay, which is truly spectacular during the golden hour before sunset. Another option is Biscayne Bay Paddle Board & Kayaks, also in Sunset Harbour, which offers morning and sunset paddleboard tours. It even offers “paws and paddles” for those who want to take their dogs along.

For another perspective of Biscayne Bay, launch your paddleboard from Pelican Harbor Marina in North Bay Village, or book a day or night paddling excursion with iPaddle Miami for island hopping, marine life tours and views of Downtown Miami's skyscrapers. The area around the North Bay Village launch site is a great place to spot dolphins, manatees, rays and more.

For something truly unique and old Florida, rent a paddleboard from PADL in Virginia Key and paddle past historic Miami Marine Stadium. Explore wild and wondrous Biscayne National Park by hopping on a guided standup paddleboard tour, offered by the Biscayne National Park Institute, to Jones Lagoon and see mangrove and seagrass habitats and loads of cool sea life.

Enjoy the day riding the wind at Hobie (Windsurfer) Beach on Key Biscayne

The Best Place To Go Windsurfing In Miami? Windsurfer Beach

Windsurfing is sailing at its most-basic: You ride on a board with a triangle-shaped sail attached to it, catch the breeze and glide along the water. Hobie Beach, located off the Rickenbacker Causeway leading to Key Biscayne and nicknamed “Windsurfer Beach,” reigns supreme among local windsurfers thanks to its calm waters and consistent winds. This thin stretch of sand along Biscayne Bay is dotted with water sports rentals and offers majestic views of Downtown Miami and Brickell as well as natural wonders. The water is shallow, so it’s a perfect spot for windsurfing and paddleboarding. With two locations, one on Virginia Key and another at Dinner Key Marina in Coconut Grove, Miami Watersports rents everything from paddleboards to windsurfing equipment and offers windsurfing lessons too. Further along on Key Biscayne, Crandon Park is another popular spot for windsurfing and kiteboarding.

South Beach Jetty with ocean views — Surf or no surf, the area around the jetties off South Point Park is picture-perfect

Surfs Up In South Beach

While the turquoise waters edging South Beach are typically calm, the area closest to the jetties near South Pointe Park is the only spot to surf in Miami when conditions are right. Typically, the winter season from December to March is the best chance for catching waves. Weather permitting, fall can offer even better conditions for surfing.

If you’re interested in renting a surfboard or taking surfing lessons, mobile purveyors like SURF Miami Beach and Hirooka Surf & Sport rent and deliver boards to Miami beaches. They can also teach you how to master the waves, depending on the water conditions that day, and even offer surf camps. Miami Beach is a great place for kids to learn how to surf, thanks to the shallow, calm waters.

Looking for more fun in the water? Explore more water sports in Miami.

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