Hobie Beach on Virginia Key: The best things in life are free!

It's June and that means that our thoughts turn toward the beach. In Miami, you're can feel almost spoiled with so many choices. There is South Beach, mid-Miami Beach, North Beach, Oleta River State Park, and then there are the beautiful beaches of Virginia Key and Key Biscayne. Although certain beaches require that visitors pay an entrance fee, others are absolutely, positively free. That includes Hobie Beach, which I photographed just yesterday:

(Hobie Beach on Miami's Virginia Key. Photo (c) Laura Albritton.)

Not only is there no entrance fee, parking is also free. That makes Hobie Beach an ideal place to stop off if you just want to take a brief swim or paddle some paddleboard. (But plenty of folks come and make a day of it.)

(Sea grasses growing at Hobie Beach in Miami. Photo (c) Laura Albritton.)

So, how exactly do you get here? The causeway to Virginia Key and Key Biscayne is located just north of Coconut Grove and south of the Brickell neighborhoods in Miami. You'll go through the toll plaza (which is now either "pay-by-plate" or Sunpass) and drive along a short distance. Soon you'll cross a tall bridge, the William Powell bridge.

(Hobie Beach in the distance. Photo (c) Laura Albritton.)

After you're back on terra firma, you have officially arrived at Virginia Key. The stretch of sand and shore to your right is the free, public Hobie Beach. The section immediately after the bridge does have public restrooms and usually a free vendors selling hot dogs and frozen lemonade. You can also rent Hobie Cats to go for a sail. Or, if you continue onwards in the direction of Seaquarium, you'll find that the slim crescent of sand continues along Biscayne Bay.

(The parking lot is steps from the sea. Photo (c) Laura Albritton.)

Once you find a parking place, you're ready to spread out your beach towels and stroll towards the water. What makes Hobie Beach an excellent place to take children? Because it faces the protected side of Biscayne Bay, the water is almost always very, very calm. As in: waveless. It also usually feels temperate, and in summer can even feel like a warm bath. If your toddler or small child is just learning to get his or her balance, the ocean at Hobie Beach can make for a nice way to splash around...without getting tumbled around in the surf.

(The skyline in the distance. Photo (c) Laura Albritton.)

One great bonus? How about a fantastic view of the Miami skyline! There's something special about seeing the skyscrapers of Downtown Miami from the tranquillity of the beach. So, next time you're in the Magic City, why not get off-the-beaten path and "go local" at easy, family-friendly Hobie Beach.