Key Biscayne Beach is the main coastal stretch of the town on the namesake barrier island in Florida. It forms part of the key’s whole 3-mile north-south collection of soft-sand beaches that face the Atlantic Ocean. While this beach is the closest to the town, it’s flanked by 2 large park beaches that you can easily access, namely Crandon Beach to the north and Cape Florida Beach on the key’s far southern end.

Each beach offers different views as well as recreational activities the whole family can enjoy, either on the sand or in the calm waves. Even so, they all offer serene coastal views and a sense of escape away from the hectic scenes of Downtown Miami. The trip to Key Biscayne itself is part of the experience, with the scenic drive over the Rickenbacker Causeway offering coastal views spanning Biscayne Bay.

Key Biscayne Beach near Miami - one of the highlights of 10 Most Instagrammable Places in Miami (Read all about Miami here)

What are the highlights of Key Biscayne Beach?

Key Biscayne Beach serves as the midpoint of the east-facing coast of the small island. Just south of Crandon Beach via Crandon Boulevard, it’s the beach that’s closest to all the modern pleasures of Key Biscayne. These range from residential and high-rise apartment buildings and 5-star hotels to chic beach clubs, bars and restaurants.

Directly flanking the beach is Ocean Park, snugly positioned between the apartments and resorts and with direct beach access, shower facilities, and picnic grounds. The main gate is technically for Key Biscayne villagers using their residential cards. Even so, you’ll find public access via Ocean Drive, right between the Key Colony and Oceana Key Biscayne apartment buildings.

Besides strolling the island’s soft white sands and taking in the wide seascapes, there are all sorts of water sports of various thrill levels to enjoy, from jet-skiing, windsurfing, and kiteboarding to the more placid pleasures such as fishing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding.

What are other things to do around Key Biscayne Beach?

If you want to escape Key Biscayne’s own residential beach scene altogether, head north to the coast of Crandon Park next door. The big, verdant park is a hotspot for recreational activities, with kayak and kiteboard rentals available. There’s plenty of parking space and it has smaller parks within.

Take the compact Calusa Park, for instance, with its covered picnic area and numerous tennis courts. Crandon Park Cabanas is another small park right on the sand where you can simply hang out, picnic, and take in the views or watch other beachgoers play and even perform. You can let the kids loose on the attached playground with its old-school metal slides.

South of Key Biscayne Beach via Crandon Boulevard is Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, a lush 500-acre park where you can bike and hike through nature. Its coastline is lined with fishing piers and picnic pavilions, and Cape Florida Beach at the key’s southernmost end offers true seaside tranquillity. The historic Cape Florida Lighthouse overlooks the point and adds a cool backdrop to your beach selfies.

Good to know about Key Biscayne Beach

Key Biscayne Beach is a 25-minute drive from Downtown Miami via the Florida State Road 913 (FL-913 S) highway or Rickenbacker Causeway that spans Biscayne Bay. You can also catch the Line 102 bus. A toll fee applies for vehicles entering the island on the Causeway.

The 2 state parks flanking the beach are wildlife habitats. Besides sharing the beach views with other humans, you’ll also often encounter iguanas or raccoons checking out your picnic table. Their antics may be amusing, but don’t feed them. In the waters, beware of moon jellyfish, particularly during peak “jelly season” between August and September.

Key Biscayne Beach near Miami

Location: Key Biscayne, FL 33149, USA

Ari Gunadi | Compulsive Traveler