Miami Beach Boardwalk Guide: Walking, Running and Riding the Beachwalk
Almost nobody in Miami calls it by its official name. Ask for the Beachwalk and you will get a polite nod; ask for the boardwalk and someone will point you toward the dunes. For years, the stretch through Mid-Beach really was a boardwalk of weathered wooden planks, and the name stuck even after the planks were replaced. Today the Miami Beach boardwalk is a continuous paved path of about nine miles, running behind the dunes from the tip of South Beach to the Surfside line, and it is the single best free thing to do on the island.
This guide covers the whole route, section by section: where it starts and ends, what you pass, the rules on bikes and scooters, the best times to go, where to rent a bike, where to stop for food and a restroom, and how to get on and off it without a car. Details were checked in September and October 2026. Bike-share prices change often, so treat them as the right order of magnitude. For the beaches the path runs beside, our Miami beaches guide covers every stretch of sand.
The Miami Beach Boardwalk at a Glance
| What | Detail (checked autumn 2026) |
|---|---|
| Official name | The Miami Beach Beachwalk |
| Length | About nine miles |
| Start and end | South Pointe Park at the southern tip to 87th Street at the Surfside line |
| Surface | Pavers throughout; the old wooden boardwalk in Mid-Beach (23rd to 45th Street) was rebuilt as a wider paved path, completed in June 2022 |
| Hours | Open 24 hours, every day |
| Cost | Free |
| Allowed | Walking, running, regular bikes, strollers, wheelchairs; fully ADA accessible |
| Not allowed | E-bikes, e-scooters, e-skateboards and other motorized devices |
| Facilities | Restrooms, water fountains and playgrounds at points along the way |
| Getting on and off | Free Miami Beach Trolley along Collins and Washington, Citi Bike stations, beach access at almost every street end |
What It Is, and What It Is Not
If you are picturing an Atlantic City or Coney Island boardwalk, with arcades, fried food and souvenir stands, adjust the picture now. The Miami Beach boardwalk is a path, not a promenade of shops. It runs between the dunes and the backs of hotels and condominiums, with sea grape and dune grasses on one side and pools, gardens and the occasional hotel bar on the other. There is almost nothing to buy on it. Food and coffee are a block inland on Ocean Drive, Collins Avenue and the cross streets.
That is exactly its charm. It is one of the few places in Miami where you can walk or ride for an hour without crossing a road, with the ocean a few steps away and the whole skyline of Miami Beach unrolling beside you. Locals use it as their running track, their commute and their evening stroll, and visitors who discover it tend to come back to it every day of their trip.
It is also part of something bigger. The Beachwalk belongs to Miami Beach’s Atlantic Greenway Network, which ties into the long-distance walking and cycling route that runs from Maine to Key West, so you will occasionally meet a touring cyclist with panniers looking very pleased to have arrived.
The Route, South to North
The path changes character several times along its length. Here it is in five sections, with approximate distances.
1. South Pointe Park to 5th Street (about half a mile)
The boardwalk begins in South Pointe Park, at the very tip of Miami Beach, beside the 450-foot pier and Government Cut, where cruise ships pass on their way out to sea. This is the quietest and most landscaped stretch, with wide limestone walkways, lawns and a calm beach. It is the obvious place to start a sunrise walk: the ocean faces east, and there is nothing on the horizon but sea.
2. 5th Street to 15th Street: Lummus Park and Ocean Drive (about a mile)
North of 5th Street, the path runs along the back of Lummus Park, between the beach and Ocean Drive. This is the postcard stretch: the Art Deco hotels a few steps inland, the famously colorful lifeguard towers on the sand, volleyball courts, outdoor fitness stations and a steady parade of skaters, joggers and people-watchers. It is also the busiest section by far, especially in the afternoon and at weekends.
Look out for the Miami Beach Patrol headquarters on the sand at 10th Street, a small white Art Deco building with its name and a clock spelled out in black letters, one of the most photographed buildings on the beach. If you want the architecture properly, step one block inland to Ocean Drive and walk it with our Art Deco District guide.
3. 15th Street to 23rd Street: Lincoln Road and Collins Park (about half a mile)
Past 15th Street, the path passes the end of Lincoln Road, the pedestrian shopping street, and runs on to Collins Park around 21st Street, where the Bass Museum of Art sits a block inland at 2100 Collins Avenue and free outdoor sculpture appears during Art Basel week. The hotels here are big and grand, and the beach is wide. It is a natural place to turn inland for breakfast or lunch on Lincoln Road.
4. 23rd Street to about 46th Street: Mid-Beach (about two miles)
This was the original boardwalk, a raised wooden walkway behind the dunes. It has since been rebuilt as a wider paved path, and it is the section most people still mean when they say the boardwalk. The crowd thins, the dunes get higher and greener, and you pass behind the Faena District around 32nd Street and the Fontainebleau and Eden Roc around 44th and 45th streets. It is the best section for a run: long, straight, with dunes and sea grape on one side, and busy only early in the morning, when every runner in Mid-Beach seems to be out.
5. 46th Street to 87th Street: upper Mid-Beach and North Beach (about four miles)
North of the big hotels, the path runs behind a long line of condominium towers and then into North Beach, where the buildings get lower and the atmosphere becomes local and residential. Ocean Terrace around 73rd Street and the shaded oceanside parks of North Beach are pleasant places to pause, and the North Beach Bandshell, close by around 73rd Street, hosts concerts and events. The path ends around 87th Street, at the edge of Surfside, though beach paths continue north through Surfside toward Bal Harbour. Our North Beach and Surfside guide covers the neighborhoods.
| Section | Approximate distance | Walking time | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Pointe Park to 5th Street | Half a mile | 10 minutes | Landscaped park, pier, quiet beach |
| 5th to 15th Street | About a mile | 20 minutes | Lummus Park, lifeguard towers, busiest |
| 15th to 23rd Street | Half a mile | 10 minutes | Lincoln Road, Collins Park, grand hotels |
| 23rd to 46th Street | About two miles | 40 minutes | The old boardwalk, dunes, big resorts |
| 46th to 87th Street | About four miles | 80 minutes | Condos, then low-rise North Beach |
Bikes, Scooters and the Rules
The Beachwalk is shared space, and the city enforces a few rules firmly.
- No motorized devices. E-bikes, electric scooters, e-skateboards and other motorized micromobility devices are prohibited on the Beachwalk, and Miami Beach police have enforced the ban with a zero-tolerance approach. If your rental is electric, ride it on the street.
- Regular bikes are welcome. Ride slowly, keep right, use a bell and remember that pedestrians, children and wheelchairs have priority. The busiest stretch, around Lummus Park, is often better walked than ridden.
- Skates and strollers are fine, and the path is fully ADA accessible.
- No smoking or vaping on Miami Beach’s beaches and in its parks, and no alcohol on the sand.
- No glass on the beach.
- Stay off the dunes. The dune plants hold the beach together, and in sea turtle nesting season, from May to October, the dunes and beach are nesting habitat.
- Dogs are not allowed on the sand. Check the posted signs before walking a dog along the path, and use the dog beach at Haulover if your dog wants the sea.
Renting a Bike
The easiest way to ride the boardwalk is Citi Bike Miami, the bike-share system with docking stations every few blocks across Miami Beach, including many near the beach. In 2026, a 30-minute pass costs roughly $6 to $7, an hour about $8 to $9 and a day pass around $24, with extra charges if you keep a bike beyond your time. Buy and unlock through the app, and check the current prices there, because they change. Docking every 30 minutes on a day pass is the trick to riding the full length cheaply.
Local bike shops and some hotels also rent bikes by the hour or day, often with better bikes, child seats and locks included. Whatever you rent, make sure it is not electric if you plan to ride on the Beachwalk.
Riding the full nine miles and back is a comfortable half-day on a regular bike, with stops. If that is too much, ride one way and come back on the free trolley, or ride from South Pointe to Mid-Beach and back, which covers the most interesting sections.
Getting On and Off Without a Car
You do not need a car for the boardwalk, and parking on Miami Beach is expensive and scarce, so leave it at the hotel if you can.
- The free Miami Beach Trolley runs from 8am to 11pm daily, roughly every 20 minutes. The South Beach Loop covers South Pointe, Washington Avenue and Alton Road; the Mid Beach Loop runs from the Convention Center to 43rd Street near the Fontainebleau; the North Beach Loop covers 65th to 88th Street; and the Collins Express links Lincoln Road with North Beach. Walk or ride one way and take the trolley back.
- Metrobus routes along Collins Avenue, including the 120, link Miami Beach with downtown Miami and the beaches to the north.
- Beach access is at almost every street end, so you can join and leave the path wherever you like.
If you do drive, our Miami parking guide explains the zones, the city garages and the apps. Meters in South Beach are the most expensive; Mid-Beach and North Beach are cheaper and easier. Our Miami transportation guide covers the trolley and buses in more detail.
When to Go
Time of day
- Sunrise is the best time of all. The path faces the open Atlantic, the light is soft, the air is cool and the runners and early swimmers have it mostly to themselves.
- Early morning, until about 9am, is the default for a run or a ride, before the heat builds and the beach fills.
- Midday in summer is hard work. There is little shade, the pavers reflect the heat and the sun is fierce. Go in the morning or late afternoon instead.
- Late afternoon and evening bring the after-work runners, families and couples out for a walk. The path is open 24 hours, and the Lummus Park section stays busy into the night.
Time of year
| Months | Weather | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| December to March | Highs of 76°F to 80°F, dry, breezy | The best months for a long walk or ride. Busiest in South Beach, especially in March. |
| March | About 80°F | Spring break. South Beach has extra security, checkpoints at some beach entrances and restricted vehicle access on peak weekends, so the southern sections are crowded and heavily policed. |
| April and May | Hot, mostly dry | Very good, especially early. Sea turtle nesting starts. |
| June to September | Hot and humid, afternoon storms | Early mornings only. Thunderstorms build after lunch, and lightning on an exposed beach path is no joke. Hurricane season runs to November. |
| October and November | October around 85°F, November around 80°F and drier | Pleasant again, with fewer people. |
For March in particular, read our Miami spring break guide before you plan around South Beach, and see Miami weather by month for the full year.
Three Ways to Do It
The sunrise walk (about an hour)
Start at the South Pointe pier 20 minutes before sunrise, watch the sun come up over the ocean, then walk north along Lummus Park as the lifeguards open their towers. Turn inland at 11th or 12th Street for coffee and breakfast, and take the trolley back if your legs are done. It is the classic Miami Beach morning, and it costs nothing.
The long run (about nine miles)
Mid-Beach locals have a favorite: start at Collins Park around 21st Street, run north on the old boardwalk section past the Faena, the Fontainebleau and the Eden Roc, turn somewhere in the 60s or 70s, and come back. It is flat, mostly traffic-free and has water fountains along the way. Go early, carry water in summer and expect to share the path with every other runner in Miami Beach.
The full ride (half a day)
Rent a bike near South Pointe, ride the whole length to 87th Street with stops at Lincoln Road, Collins Park and Ocean Terrace, have lunch in North Beach, then either ride back or put the bike in a dock and take the trolley. Walk the bike through the crowded Lummus Park section, and enjoy the open stretches farther north, where the path is quieter and the views are wider.
Food, Water and Restrooms
The boardwalk has restrooms and water fountains at points along the way, mostly at the parks, but they are spread out, so do not count on one being close when you need it. Carry water, especially in summer. For food and coffee, step a block inland. Options thin out in the quieter Mid-Beach stretch, where the land beside the path is mostly hotels and condominiums, so plan your stops around South Beach, Lincoln Road and North Beach.
Many of the big hotels beside the path have bars and restaurants facing the beach, some of which welcome walk-ins, and a cold drink at one of them on a hot afternoon is one of the small pleasures of the walk. Be aware that South Beach restaurants, particularly on Ocean Drive, often add an automatic service charge of 18 to 20 percent. Our South Beach guide has better-value alternatives a block or two inland.
Photo Spots Along the Way
- The South Pointe pier at sunrise, looking back up the beach.
- The lifeguard towers of Lummus Park, each painted in its own colors, best in the low morning or evening light.
- The Beach Patrol headquarters at 10th Street, with its Art Deco lettering.
- The dunes and sea grape of Mid-Beach, with the path curving away between the palms.
- The view north from Collins Park, with the grand hotels lined up along the sand.
Drones are prohibited over Miami Beach parks and beaches without a permit, so leave yours at the hotel.
With Children, Strollers and Wheelchairs
The Beachwalk is one of the easiest places in Miami to spend time with small children. It is flat, paved, separated from traffic and lined with things to look at, from lifeguard towers and pelicans to cruise ships at the southern end. Strollers and scooters (the kick kind, not electric) roll smoothly the whole way, and the playgrounds near the path, including the ocean-themed playground and splash pad at South Pointe Park, make natural stopping points.
For wheelchair users, the path is ADA accessible along its length, though the sand beside it is hard going. The quieter sections north of 23rd Street are the most relaxed for anyone who needs to move at their own pace, because the crowds around Lummus Park can be thick in the afternoon.
Two tips for families: start early, while the path is cool and the playgrounds are in shade, and plan your route around a restroom stop, because they are spread out. Our family beaches guide covers the calmest water nearby.
Where to Stay Near the Boardwalk
Almost every oceanfront hotel on Miami Beach backs onto the Beachwalk, so staying beside it is easy. Which section suits you depends on what you want from the rest of the trip:
- South Beach (South Pointe to 15th Street) for nightlife, Art Deco and restaurants within walking distance, at the price of crowds and noise.
- Collins Park and the 20s for grand hotels, Lincoln Road a few minutes away and a calmer beach.
- Mid-Beach (30s and 40s) for the big resorts, the Faena District and the best stretch for running.
- North Beach (60s to 87th Street) for lower prices, a local feel and the quietest sand.
Our beachfront hotels guide compares the properties, and where to stay in Miami covers the wider choice of neighborhoods.
Safety
- Heat is the real risk. Carry water, wear a hat and avoid long walks between late morning and mid-afternoon in summer.
- Watch for bikes if you are walking, and for children and dogs if you are riding.
- Thunderstorms roll in quickly on summer afternoons. If you hear thunder, leave the beach and the path and get indoors.
- At night, the busy South Beach section is generally lively and well used, while the quieter northern stretches can be empty. Use common sense, as you would in any city.
- Swim near a lifeguard tower, not wherever you happen to stop. The towers are staffed during the day, and the flags tell you about the conditions.
A Short History
The boardwalk began in Mid-Beach as a raised wooden walkway behind the dunes from 23rd to 45th Street, a quiet path linking the backs of the big hotels. Over the years, Miami Beach added paved sections to the south and north, through Lummus Park, South Pointe and North Beach, with the goal of a single path the length of the city. The last pieces, including the rebuilding of the old wooden boardwalk as a wider paved path, were completed in June 2022. The result is the nine-mile Beachwalk you see today, though many locals still call the whole thing the boardwalk, and probably always will.
The Honest Verdict
The Miami Beach boardwalk is the best free thing on Miami Beach, and it is worth an hour of even the shortest trip. Walk a section at sunrise and you will see why locals build their mornings around it.
Go if you like to walk, run or cycle, you want to see Miami Beach’s neighborhoods from the beach side, or you simply want a calm hour by the ocean without spending anything.
Adjust your expectations if you are looking for an old-fashioned boardwalk with shops and amusements, because this is a path between dunes and hotels. Do not try it at midday in August, and do not bring an e-bike or scooter, because they are banned. And if you only walk one section, make it South Pointe to Lummus Park at sunrise. It is the Miami Beach morning everyone remembers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Miami Beach boardwalk?
About nine miles, from South Pointe Park at the southern tip of Miami Beach to 87th Street at the Surfside line. The city calls it the Beachwalk.
Is the Miami Beach boardwalk still made of wood?
No. The original wooden boardwalk in Mid-Beach, from about 23rd to 45th Street, was rebuilt as a wider paved path, and the full Beachwalk was completed in June 2022.
Can you ride a bike on the Miami Beach boardwalk?
Yes, a regular bike. E-bikes, e-scooters, e-skateboards and other motorized devices are prohibited, and the ban is enforced.
Is the Miami Beach boardwalk open at night?
Yes. The Beachwalk is open 24 hours a day. The South Beach sections stay busy into the evening; the northern sections are quieter after dark.
Where does the Miami Beach boardwalk start?
At South Pointe Park, at the southern tip of Miami Beach, beside the pier and Government Cut.
Are there restrooms on the Miami Beach boardwalk?
Yes, along with water fountains, mostly at the parks along the route, but they are spread out. Carry water.
How long does it take to walk the whole boardwalk?
About three hours one way at an easy pace, without stops. Most people walk a section and use the free Miami Beach Trolley to get back.
Is the Miami Beach boardwalk free?
Yes, completely. You pay only for parking if you drive, or for a bike if you rent one.
Related Miami Guides
- Miami Beaches: The Complete Guide — every beach in the county, and how to choose.
- South Beach Guide — the neighborhood at the southern end of the path.
- South Pointe Park — where the boardwalk begins.
- Art Deco District — the architecture one block inland.
- North Beach and Surfside — the quiet northern end.
- Miami Beach vs South Beach — how the neighborhoods differ.
- Free Things to Do in Miami — more days out that cost nothing.
- Miami Outdoors and Nature — more walks, runs and rides.
- Getting Around Miami — trolleys, buses and fares.
Photo Credits
The paved Beachwalk in Miami Beach: Gfp-florida-miami-beachwalk by Yinan Chen, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
The old wooden boardwalk at 42nd Street: Boardwalk – Miami Beach Florida (4550074942) by David Berkowitz, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Miami Beach Patrol headquarters: Miami Beach Patrol Headquarters 2019 by Jensbest, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
A lifeguard station on Miami Beach: Miami Beach – lifeguard station by P. Hughes, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.