Best Beach in Miami: Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park Should Be Voted America's Best Beach

Years ago, when my daughters were young, one of our favorite weekend treats was to go spend the day on Key Biscayne to soak up the sun and lie on the beautiful while sandy beach at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. The day always started out with that lovely drive onto the key, as we drove on the wide bridge, looking back at the Miami Skyline, passing the Seaquarium, then driving along the lush tree filled road with the water on both sides of us, watching the people picnicking and swimming on the beaches, Biscayne bay and the Atlantic Ocean... Since Bill Baggs State Park is located on the very most southern tip of the key, it was always a drive we enjoyed since it's only about a 20 minute drive from A1A so the kids never got bored...

We would almost feel as if we were on vacation... back then the Miami Zoo was located on Key Biscayne so sometimes we would spend half a day communing with the animals then settle down on the beach for the remainder. We loved to take the trail that led to the Cape Florida Lighthouse....Built in 1825, it is the oldest Lighthouse in South Florida... a few times we would climb that steep spiral staircase for that most incredible 360 degree view from the top, 95 ft up...And what a view it is! The city in the distance, the waters filled with boats of every size and shape. We could even see some of the remaining aquatic homes out there in the water called Stiltsville that were built back in the 30's, right in the middle of Biscayne Bay... This view if one of most beautiful sights you can see in South Florida. It still gave me a thrill the last time my hubby and I did that climb not too long ago.

We also loved to watch the sea birds, so many of them in the park and on the beach, egrets, herons, and the ever food searching seagulls. The sand on the wide beach was always clean and soft to walk on, not a lot of seaweed or shells to hurt our feet...We would bring our snorkels and had a grand old time finding little fish beneath our feet. I was always on the look out for Dolphins, which I was privilaged to see on a few occasions.

So it came as no surprise, in the year 2005, when I read this park was named one of the top beaches in America by the famous coastal geologist Dr. Stephan Leatherman, whose nickname is "Dr Beach"...hmmm, he certainly knows a good thing when he sees it I thought...I was happy because it meant that the horrible damage that had been done when Hurricane Andrew made its visit was not visible anymore....I remember how sad I was when I first saw the destruction, all the trees for miles had been leveled flat on the ground facing one direction from the terrible winds, it was really bad, but now that's no longer evident..the trees are back and beach is still as beautiful as ever

A bit of history...

The Park was named Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park in honor of the famed Miami Herald newspaper editor, who saw the potential in this lush tropical land mass, with its azure blue surrounding waters, to become a state park and he finally persuaded the powers that be...he spoke to all the state and local bigwigs, stating the fact that these waters are part of one of biggest barrier island ecosystems in the south and as a park they would be protected..it wasn't too long after his proposals that he got his wish...With its one and a half miles of pristine beach and the outstanding historic lighthouse, the park has something for everyone who visits.

As I mentioned, the lighthouse was built in 1825 and is considered to be the oldest structure in Miami, still standing..it was damaged during second Seminole War in 1836 then again in 1861 during the civil war....it wasn't used as a Lighthouse for quite a while since it was in bad shape, then in 1978, the United States Coast Guard, repaired and restored it to a functional working lighthouse once again. It's a real beauty with its stark white elongated shape against the clear Miami sky, quite a sight, and a perfect photo opportunity. Tours are available of the lighthouse itself and of the cottage, found to the side, where the keeper of the lighthouse lived...these tours take place every Monday though Thursday, from 10 am to 1 pm, and I advise you to arrive early to sign up since these tours are very popular, (allowing only 10 people at a time), especially during holidays and peak tourist season down here...July 4^th does get a bit crowded, I must admit...just the smells alone from all the picnic areas can make you hungry!

But there' so much more to do in this park then just take in the lighthouse, sit in the sun and swim in the balmy sea. This is a favorite picnic spot for locals, as well as the perfect place to go kayaking, fishing and ride their bikes on the many trails...A public beach, yet it feels like a private beach at times, depending on when you go. During the week is preferable for quieter times

There is a rental place on the beach for all the water equipment you might want to try for the day for those who do not have their own.

So you can probably see why this is my favorite South Florida beach and has been for years, with so much to see and do, and such a wonderful environment and atmosphere, I can highly recommend Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park to one and all.

A few facts:

Admission to the park is $3.00 per car single occupant, $5.00 for up to 8 people in the car

Open daily from 8 am till the sun sets

There is wheel chair access on some areas that lead to the beach but you have to use the special beach wheelchairs they provide for free...

Pets are allowed but must be on a leash

Located at 1200 Crandon Blvd, at the most southern tip of Key Biscayne, Fla

For more information call 305-361-5811