Sunny Isles Beach on the Atlantic

Sunny Isles Beach is located on a barrier island bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Intracoastal Waterway to the west. The coast is a defining feature of the destination, but parks, sports facilities, and cultural offerings are also part of its character. When deciding where to stay, you can therefore consider whether the beach and water, a visit to a park, sports, or an event are of particular interest for your trip.

Beach and Newport Fishing Pier

Water and beach activities are supervised by lifeguards seasonally. During daylight saving time, the hours are 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; during standard time, they are 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. If you plan to swim, factor these different hours into your day and check the supervision times before your visit.

Newport Fishing Pier is on the ocean at the intersection of Sunny Isles Beach Boulevard and Collins Avenue. Fishing is permitted there; a fee may apply. Check access and any applicable fees before your visit. Paid parking is available at Pier Park. Parking is monitored around the clock, 365 days a year; parking availability and monitoring may change. So check the current parking situation in advance.

Parks with different features

Samson Oceanfront Park is a 2.1-acre park on oceanfront property and has a playground. If you are traveling with children, you can include this play area as a specific stop in your travel plans. The combination of a playground and an oceanfront location sets it apart from a park focused on sports or remembrance.

Heritage Park covers 4 acres and has two playgrounds. It is also home to the Veteran’s Wall, which displays the names of Sunny Isles Beach residents who have served in the military. Play areas and a place of remembrance are therefore found side by side in the same park. This makes for a different mix of features than at Samson Oceanfront Park, whose stated features are its oceanfront location and a playground.

Events, play, and exercise

Gateway Park has a performing arts stage and a play area with an interactive water feature. Gateway LIVE! is a quarterly series of live performances in the park. If you would like to include a performance in your plans, check the event dates in advance. This lets you distinguish between the park’s permanent features and a specific event date.

With multi-use sports courts for tennis and basketball, Intracoastal Sports Park is for visitors who want to include these sports in their travel plans. It also has outdoor fitness equipment and a pedestrian path intended to encourage an active lifestyle. The combination of sports courts, exercise equipment, and a path sets this park apart from the play and event offerings at the other parks.

There are specific options for other interests, too: Senator Gwen Margolis Park has a leash-free dog area called “Bone Zone.” Pelican Community Park offers seasonal programs for teens, as well as sports activities and summer camps. If a youth program or camp is important to your travel plans, check the dates and specific offerings. Options range from a designated area for dogs to seasonal activities for teens.

Discover more destinations: North Bay Village, Opa-locka, Cutler Bay, El Portal, Coral Gables, Bay Harbor Islands, Pinecrest, North Miami.

For the broader travel overview: Miami-Dade.