Miami Beach is divided into northern and southern beach areas. The northern area is known simply as Miami Beach, while the southern area is known as South Beach. South Beach is better known for its trendy restaurants, shops and night clubs. Together, the halves of Miami Beach have plentiful opportunities for outdoor activities, especially on the water.
Bicycling
The South Beach area features a long cement promenade that is popular with bicyclists, allowing them to soak up the famous South Beach sun and scenery. A great way to see the area and socialize is by participating in the Miami Beach Community Ride, which is held on the second Saturday of every month. The free ride on the streets of the Miami Beach area includes a police escort.
Scuba
The waters around Miami Beach offer ideal diving conditions for scuba divers and snorkelers year round. The water temperature ranges from a comfortable 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and typical visibility underwater surpasses 75 feet. It's only a short boat ride away to an artificial reef that includes more than 75 wrecks.
Jet Ski Tours
Jet Ski Tours of Miami offers an unusual tour by water of the Miami Beach area: Tour participants ride Yamaha wave runners on a route that allows them to survey six different islands, including Star Island and Sir Flagler Island. The company boasts that tour participants frequently encounter dolphins and manatees along the way.
Kayaking
The waters of Miami Beach are hospitable to kayaking. One local business, South Beach Kayak, provides a monthly sunset kayak trip into Biscayne Bay for a guided tour of the city from the water. The tour is followed by a trip to Monument Island for a bonfire picnic on the beach.
Surfing
Surfing is a favorite pastime in Miami Beach, especially in the South Beach area, where there are numerous surf shops that offer board rentals and lessons. Frommer's points to Haulover Beach as the best location for surfing in Miami Beach and notes that the southern tip of South Beach is also particularly popular.
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