South Pointe Beach

South Pointe Beach sits at the southern tip of Miami Beach, Florida, beside South Pointe Park at 1 Washington Ave in the South of Fifth neighborhood. The sand is soft and light, and the Atlantic water here is clear and green-blue, with a view of cruise ships and cargo vessels passing through Government Cut beside the park's pier. The shoreline is an open stretch rather than a sheltered cove, so wind and mild surf are normal, though conditions are usually swimmable. Compared with South Beach at Lummus Park to the north, the mood is calmer and more residential. Families with children, couples, joggers and dog walkers use the park, which includes a pier, landscaped lawns and a playground, and the vibe is relaxed rather than party-oriented. Amenities include lifeguards, restrooms and showers, and the park's paths make it easy to walk between the beach, the pier and the lawns. Restaurants in the South of Fifth neighborhood lie within a short walk of the sand, so food and drinks are easy to find without leaving the beach area. Access is straightforward. The free Miami Beach trolley and Miami-Dade Transit buses run along Collins Avenue, and a rideshare from downtown Miami, about 7 miles (11 km) away, usually takes 20 to 30 minutes. Parking in the neighborhood is metered and can fill on weekends, so many visitors take the trolley or a rideshare. A walk of roughly a mile along the beach and the Miami Beach boardwalk path leads north toward Lummus Park and the Art Deco district. The beach is free to enter, and the park is a favorite spot for sunrise and for watching the ships leave port in the afternoon. The pier extends along the channel and gives wide views of the water and the downtown skyline across the bay, which makes the area popular with photographers, especially near golden hour at the end of the day.