Waves crash against soft golden sands as the hue of the sun dances across a beach strewn with scattered shells and beach towels. The gentle breeze in the air tames the midday heat, and the refreshing waters of the Atlantic are inviting after a bout of tanning. It doesn’t get much better than this. It’s an outdoor paradise, with so many fun things to do in South Beach Miami, where your worries melt away and you can shut out the rest of the world.
That’s the magic of South Beach Miami and a primary attractor for travelers from all over the world.
The iconic lifeguard huts on South Beach
Many may think it’s all about the lounging and dance clubs. However, there are so many things to do in South Beach Miami that it can get a bit overwhelming. That’s why we’ve pieced together this selection of memorable escapades that will introduce you to local entertainment or send you on a Bahamas Day trip by plane to swim with some truly colorful characters over 170 miles away.
When you’re not enjoying your exquisite Bahama or Exuma day trip, you’ll want to have a full schedule of entertainment waiting in South Beach. We may specialize in ferrying travelers to thrilling and scenic locations, but we’re also experts on everything the coastal city has to offer. So toss aside your map of South Beach Miami and consider filling your time with these experiences.
Take a Stroll Down Ocean Drive
You don’t have to look hard to find the opulence of Miami. In fact, the southern tip of South Beach is brimming with history of the rich and famous lining Ocean Drive. A cornucopia of Art Deco architecture and classic establishments that still cater to the elite.
Take a walking tour of the art Deco District in South Beach Miami
Many of the bounty of things to do in South Beach Miami may leave you feeling a little tired, but Ocean Drive is all about a day of relaxation, sightseeing, and dining at some of the most notable restaurants and cafes Miami has to offer. In fact, grabbing a bite to eat is a must to experience the city’s freshest seafood and assorted tropical flavors amidst an old-fashioned atmosphere.
As you survey the properties on Ocean Drive, the influences of distance cultures are evident. Egyptian and Mayan motifs stand out and give an exotic appearance to the road. A home is not often a work of art, but a drive down this lavish neighborhood can feel like a visit to a local art museum.
Since Ocean Drive is so close to South Beach, it serves as a nice casual break from the excitement of beachside lounging and the frequent pool parties hosted at local hotels.
The art deco buildings that line Ocean Drive
Day Trips to the Bahamas/Exumas by Plane to Swim with Pigs and Sharks
It’s easy to argue that South Beach’s golden coast is its standout feature. At Bahamas Air Tours, we tend to think it’s the proximity to the Bahamas and Exumas. It’s not everywhere in the United States that you can take a short plane between beachside escapes. Even less common is that one destination offers an opportunity to swim with an exotic creature of the deep.
Go Swimming with Sharks on a Miami to Bahamas Day Trip
It’s no secret that sharks get a bad rap. Thankfully, the Bahamian Nurse Sharks cruising through the crystal clear waters are as gentle as they come. During your day trip to the Bahamas, you’ll connect with Mother Nature and float amongst a school of these sharks. If there ever was a time to have a waterproof phone case, this is it. Our Bahamas day trips are always full of moments worth capturing forever.
Fly to the Bahamas and go Swimming with Pigs
“Swim with sharks” not high on your list of things to do in South Beach Miami? Then maybe you’ll enjoy our Miami to Bahamas day trip for a little swim time with some pigs. Who would have thought one of the best things to do in South Beach Miami wouldn’t actually be in Miami, but instead on a pig beach in Exuma? These docile critters will enjoy your company as their curiosity brings them around for a quick visit during your swimming pigs tour.
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Get Lost in Downtown Miami
A quick drive west over the MacArthur Causeway brings you to the thrills and excitement of Downtown Miami. Here, you won’t have a hard time finding many things to do in South Florida. Whereas South Beach is brimming with beachgoers and a distinctive atmosphere, the air in Downtown Miami is electrifying.
There is plenty of high-end and upscale shopping if that’s your vice. Or you can forgo the indoors and see what’s unfolding at many of the region’s stunning parks and preserves. Giving South Beach a run for its money is the city’s bustling nightlife. When the sun sets and the beaches go dark, nightclubs and dance clubs bask travelers in a neon hue as they rush the dance floor.
.The more things to do in South Beach Miami that you find, the more you’ll need a half or full day of relaxation and respite. Wellness spas invite travelers to experience the pure serenity of Miami. They offer facial treatments, mineral baths, steam rooms, and personalized therapeutic sessions.
Whatever you want from Downtown Miami, make sure it won’t interfere with your schedule. That Bahama Air Charter flight is an excursion you won’t want to miss.
Things to do in South Beach Miami: visit the South Pointe Park and Pier
Snorkel in Biscayne National Park
The tours to pig beach offer an unexpected experience in the waters of the Bahamas. Once you’re back in South Beach, you will want to continue your aquatic excursions. For that, Bahamas Air Tours recommends a visit to the reefs tucked within Biscayne Nationa Park.
Known for being a hotspot for snorkeling, Biscayne National Park presents an opportunity for travelers to see a different side of South Beach. Navigate the swampy shores of the park, and you’ll be amongst a beautiful coral reef and curious oceanic life.
Lighthouse at Key Biscayne beach and National Park, Miami
Biscayne National Park is ideal for beginners and doesn’t pose a challenge even for newcomers. It’s rife with picturesque sites, like the Mandalay shipwreck that is accessible via snorkeling.
Visitors who want the snorkeling experience but care to start off even easier should consider Blue Heron Bridge 20 minutes west of South Beach and Crandon Park 20 minutes south. The latter is so tame,it feels like Mother Nature designed it specifically for first-time snorkelers.
If snorkeling is high on your “must-do” list during your visit, then there’s no way you’ll be hard-pressed to find things to do in South Beach Miami.
Spend the Day in Little Havana
The entrance to Calle Ocho in historic Little Havana
Ever want to go to Cuba but can’t quite fit it into your schedule? Since you’re already in Miami, you can take the easy way out and enjoy a considerably short drive to Little Havana, the Cuban heart of Miami. Even if you visit Downtown Miami, Little Havana is an experience all its own, deserving of your full attention.
Little Havana is an exquisite slice of Cuban culture tucked away on Florida’s southern coast. Some travelers may think the neighborhood is simply their ticket to Cuban cigars, but Little Havanah is so much more. It’s a cultural adventure as the awe and wonder of the Caribbean country are plastered all over the streets of Miami.
Enjoy the artistic tributes while sipping on authentic Cuban coffee. Then see where the real parties in Florida unfold in an exciting array of dance clubs that rival Downtown Miami’s more localized establishments.
Though it’s not a large slice of Miami, Little Havana is robust with Cuban culture, food, and entertainment and feels like a neighborhood transplanted from the island nation.
Fill Your Schedule with Incredible Things to do in South Beach Miami
Trying to decide what to do in Miami Beach during your stay can be intimidating when you consider the options available to travelers. With an Exuma day trip to pig island, you’re at least one step closer to a full schedule of entertainment, excitement, and adventure.
Add a Bahamas Air Tours day trip to your itinerary, and you’ll be part of something you won’t soon forget. Lounging with pigs and swimming with sharks are the stories you absolutely want to return to everyday life with.
Don’t Come to South Beach Empty-Handed
For more information on exploring the Bahamas, be sure to download our detailed guidebook before your trip.
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