Overview
Sunny Isles Beach, the City of Sun and Sea, is on a barrier island in the northeast corner of Miami-Dade County. It has a 2½-mile-long fine sand beach and outdoor amenities such as water sports, boating, fishing, and tennis as well as the abundant shopping, dining and lodging.
3 things to do · 5 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Sunny Isles Beach
Haulover Beach Park
A regional park with a beach, one of a handful of areas in Miami to surf and windsurf. Unlike South Beach, Haulover Beach does not experience heavy erosion and, therefore, has higher quality sand and shells. Also unlike …
Oleta River State Park
Florida's largest urban park has 15 miles of off-road bicycling trails. Paddle through lush mangrove forests, go fishing, or swim.
Samson Oceanfront Park
This beautiful park provides a children's play area and space to relax. It is a good place to enjoy the sunrise.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Nov–Apr. Summer highs reach about 90°F; winter lows dip to about 61°F. Very hot (Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jun and Sep. (climate data from nearby Fort Lauderdale)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- FLL Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport, Fort Lauderdale — 9 mi away (major hub). Directions
- OPF Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport, Miami — 10 mi away. Directions
You can fly into either Miami International or Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International airports, or cruise into the Port of Miami or Port Everglades and be in Sunny Isles Beach within 20 to 30 minutes.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $99–$850 a night (typical $850), from 3 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$140, mid-range ~$920, comfortable ~$1020.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Samson Oceanfront Park, Oleta River State Park
- Afternoon Haulover Beach Park
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
The city is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Intercostals Waterway on the west. The weather is tempered somewhat by its proximity to water; the extreme tip of Florida and the Florida Keys border on a true tropical climate.
The city is experiencing a major redevelopment renaissance on the east side of Collins Avenue, the main thoroughfare. The city is building parks, improving the infrastructure and laying the groundwork for future redevelopment. Sunny Isles Beach is a major center of South Florida's Russian community, with a plethora of Russian stores lining Collins Avenue. The city is sometimes referred to as Little Moscow because of its many Russian and Russian-descended residents.
Get in
You can fly into either Miami International or Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International airports, or cruise into the Port of Miami or Port Everglades and be in Sunny Isles Beach within 20 to 30 minutes.
From Fort Lauderdale Airport, take the #1 Broward County Bus to Aventura Mall for the S bus. From Miami Airport, take the J or 150 bus to Collins Avenue for a northbound S or 120 bus.
Do
- The landmark fishing pier is a local favorite
Do Samson Oceanfront Park
This beautiful park provides a children's play area and space to relax. It is a good place to enjoy the sunrise.
Do Haulover Beach Park
A regional park with a beach, one of a handful of areas in Miami to surf and windsurf. Unlike South Beach, Haulover Beach does not experience heavy erosion and, therefore, has higher quality sand and shells. Also unlike other Florida beaches, Haulover Beach experiences some noticeable waves. The park is popular among local residents for its fishing and crabbing, although it also offers golf, tennis, and nearby restaurants. The northern half of Haulover Beach is one of the few and also one of the better nude beaches in the US, with reasonable facilities and a welcoming mixed crowd. Located approximately ten miles north of South Beach.
Sleep
The city is steadily replacing outdated motels with luxury high-rise oceanfront development.
Stay Days Hotel Thunderbird Beach Resort
Nearby
North Miami Beach
City / town · 6 listings · 2 mi away
Hallandale Beach
City / town · 5 listings · 3 mi away
Bay Harbor Islands
City / town · 2 listings · 4 mi away
Surfside
City / town · 6 listings · 4 mi away
Hollywood
City / town · 28 listings · 6 mi away
Miami Gardens
City / town · 5 listings · 9 mi away
Miami Beach
City / town · 2 listings · 10 mi away
Davie
City / town · 5 listings · 11 mi away
My experience
Write about your trip here. Notes save automatically in this browser as you type; back them up from My journal.