Miami is a city that’s defined by water as much as it is by land. With the barrier islands of Key Biscayne and Miami Beach serving as buffers between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay, it’s easy to feel like there’s water all around you. When visiting Miami, there’s no shortage of opportunities to get on the water, soak up the sun and revel in the natural beauty.

THE BEACHES & THE BAY

Miami is famous for its miles of beautiful shoreline, so the beaches are an obvious place to start when it comes to enjoying the water. You can choose from a variety of beaches, like South Beach with its festive atmosphere along Ocean Drive, a quieter beach in mid-Miami beach, or find a peaceful refuge at the tip of Key Biscayne. There’s so much beauty to soak in with mesmerizing aquamarine water lapping against the shoreline and bright sun beating down through the palm trees. Miami has everything from luxury service at a seaside resort to rustic nature preserves. Biscayne Bay also presents striking vistas from South Beach to Downtown and Coconut Grove where bayfront parks, museums, and marinas are found along the coast.

BOATING & SAILING

If you want to see Miami from the water, there are many opportunities to do so. From the classic tours to see Miami’s celebrities million-dollar homes departing from Bayside Mall to charter boats or even renting your own boat to go around the canals, head to the sandbars, do some wakeboard or visit the historic Stiltsville.

Jetskis are always an option, of course.

KAYAKING & CANOEING

Miami’s waterways are tranquil and calm throughout the year, making them the ideal venue for kayaking, canoeing, and standup paddleboarding. From South Beach to Key Biscayne, Oleta River State Park, Homestead, and Coconut Grove, there are unique waterways to explore and ample vendors renting equipment.