South Pointe Park with a stroller

South Pointe Park is the walk we’d give a brand-new Miami mom. It’s small enough that you’re never far from the car or a bathroom, but it feels like a mini vacation: palm trees, ocean on one side, a channel on the other and giant cruise ships gliding past.

The park covers about 17 acres at the southern tip of Miami Beach, with views of the South Beach shoreline, PortMiami, the downtown skyline and Fisher Island. It has winding paved paths, grassy hills, a 450-foot pier, a playground with a splash zone and a little café. The city lists it as open every day from sunrise to sunset.

At a glance

• LengthAbout 0.5 to 1 mile of loops
• SurfacePaved paths
• ShadeSome palms and shade sails
• HillsFlat, with small grassy hills
• Best withAny stroller
• CostFree (parking is paid)

Motorized devices, including e-bikes and e-scooters, aren’t allowed in the park, which keeps the paths calmer than much of South Beach.

Map

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South Pointe Park is at 1 Washington Avenue, at the very southern tip of Miami Beach. The Beachwalk starts here and heads north along the ocean.

Stroller or carrier?

South Pointe is easy with any stroller. The main paths are paved and wide, and the park is small enough that you won’t need to cover miles. Some practical notes:

• 👶
  Best overallAny stroller

  Lightweight strollers are fine here. A big canopy helps more than big wheels.

• 🏔️
  On the hillsLeave the stroller on the path

  The grassy hills are fun to climb, but they’re not stroller terrain. Carry little ones up for the view.

• 🧸
  Short visitsBaby carrier

  Good for a quick sunrise loop, but it gets hot fast. Switch to the stroller once the sun is up.

The route

There’s no one set loop, so here’s an easy way to see it all.

1. Start near the café and playground. Use the restroom and get settled.
2. Walk the channel path. Follow the paved path along Government Cut, the channel to PortMiami. If you’re lucky, a cruise ship will sail right past.
3. Head out on the pier. The 450-foot South Pointe Pier stretches over the water. Watch for fishing lines and hold on to the stroller in the wind.
4. Loop past the grassy hills. Babies love watching kids roll down them.
5. Finish at the playground and splash pad. Perfect for older siblings while you feed the baby in the shade.

Getting there and parking

By car

There’s paid parking at the park itself, plus metered street parking and garages nearby in the South of Fifth neighborhood. Weekends and holidays fill up fast, so arrive early. Read the signs carefully, since towing in Miami Beach is costly.

By bus or on foot

If you’re staying or living in South Beach, it’s an easy stroll down Washington Avenue or the Beachwalk. Miami-Dade Transit buses also serve South Beach; check the trip planner for current routes.

Restrooms and water

The city lists public restrooms near the concession area and a water fountain in the park. The tourism board notes restrooms and outdoor showers near the kids’ splash pad. That makes this one of the easiest stroller walks in Miami for diaper changes and quick bathroom breaks. Bring a portable changing pad just in case.

The playground

The playground is a big draw for Miami families. The city lists play areas for ages 2 to 5 and 5 to 12, with soft rubber surfacing, slides, climbing equipment, tot swings and a splash spray zone, all next to the water. Shade sails help a lot on sunny days.

Bring a change of clothes and a towel if your toddler goes near the splash zone. They will get soaked.

Feeding and nap stops

South Pointe has lots of easy places to stop:

• By the playground. Shaded seating near the play area lets you feed the baby while older siblings play.
• Along the channel. Benches facing Government Cut catch the breeze. Watching the boats can calm a fussy baby.
• On the lawn. On cooler mornings, bring a blanket and settle in under a palm.

The steady breeze off the water makes this a great place for a stroller nap. Lock the brakes and turn the stroller so the canopy faces the sun.

Accessibility

The city lists South Pointe Park as accessible, with paved paths, accessible restrooms and a water fountain. It’s also one of two places where the City of Miami Beach lends free manual and powered beach wheelchairs, first come, first served, so a family member who uses a wheelchair can get onto the sand. Recently listed hours were 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from November to January and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. the rest of the year. Check the city’s accessibility page before you go.

A little history

The park has had a few lives:

• 1905: Government Cut, the shipping channel to the port, was dug along what’s now the southern edge of the park. The area stayed industrial for decades.
• 1979 to 1985: The land was used for police facilities and the port’s harbor pilots, then cleared to make way for a park that opened in the mid-1980s with an amphitheater, observation towers and a boardwalk over the dunes.
• 2009: The city reopened South Pointe after a major redesign by Hargreaves Associates with Savino Miller, at a cost of about $22.5 million. That redesign added the grand promenade along the channel, the restored dunes, the playground, the spray feature and the winding, hilly landform that kids love to climb.

Make it a beach day

South Pointe sits right next to the beach, so it’s easy to turn a walk into a little beach outing. A few tips for doing it with a baby:

• Set up near a lifeguard tower. Miami Beach Ocean Rescue staffs the towers year-round, and swimming near a staffed tower is always the safer choice.
• Check the beach flags. Flags at the towers show current water conditions. When in doubt, ask a lifeguard.
• Bring shade. A small beach tent or umbrella makes a big difference. Keep babies in the shade and ask your pediatrician about sunscreen for little ones.
• Rinse off before you go. The tourism board notes outdoor showers near the splash pad, which makes the sandy walk back to the car much easier.
• Think about the stroller. Leave it on the paved path with the brakes locked, or fold it and carry it, since wheels sink in sand.

For many babies, ten minutes of watching waves from the shade is plenty. You don’t need a full beach day to make it special.

Nature and ship watching

For babies and toddlers, South Pointe is basically a front-row seat to a moving picture book.

• 🚢
  ShipsCruise ships and freighters

  Huge ships pass through Government Cut on their way in and out of PortMiami, often in the late afternoon.

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  WildlifeLook for dolphins and pelicans

  Pelicans dive near the jetty, and lucky visitors sometimes spot dolphins in the channel.

• 🏝️
  ViewsSkyline and Fisher Island

  Look west across the water to the downtown skyline and Fisher Island.

• 🌱
  DunesRestored native dunes

  The dune area protects the shoreline and gives wildlife a home. Stay on the paths.

The pier is built with turtle-safe lighting, since sea turtles nest on South Florida beaches in the warmer months. If you’re there at night during nesting season, keep lights low and give any roped-off nests plenty of space.

The South of Fifth neighborhood

South Pointe sits at the bottom of South of Fifth, often called SoFi, the quieter, more residential corner of South Beach. It’s worth a slow stroll before or after the park.

• Quieter streets. Compared with Ocean Drive, the blocks south of 5th Street are calmer, with residential towers, small parks and sidewalk cafés.
• The bay side. A waterfront walkway runs along the marina on the bay side of the neighborhood, a pretty, quieter add-on to a park visit.
• Easy to combine. From the park, it’s a short walk north into the heart of South Beach if you want more miles.

Coffee and food

A small café near the splash pad sells coffee, juice, snacks and ice cream. For a real meal, South of Fifth and Washington Avenue have lots of cafés and restaurants a short walk away. Picnicking on the lawn is a lovely option on a cooler day.

Make it longer

South Pointe Park is the southern start of the Beachwalk. When you’re ready for more, walk north along the ocean toward Lummus Park and back. Our Miami Beach Beachwalk guide covers the whole path.

Safety and heat

There’s some shade near the playground, but much of the park is open to the sun.

• Watch the heat index. The National Weather Service issues a heat advisory for Miami-Dade when the heat index is expected to reach 105 degrees or higher for at least two hours. On those days, skip the walk or keep it very short and very early.
• Know the signs of overheating. For you and your baby: flushed or very sweaty skin, unusual fussiness or sleepiness, fewer wet diapers, dizziness or nausea. Get into shade or air conditioning, offer fluids as your pediatrician advises and call 911 if anyone seems confused, faint or unresponsive.
• Never cover the stroller with a blanket. It traps heat. Use a ventilated sunshade made for strollers and a clip-on fan instead.
• When thunder roars, go indoors. Summer storms build fast in the afternoon, and lightning is a real risk on open waterfront paths. Have a plan for where you’ll duck in.
• Walk with a friend and share your plans. Keep your phone charged and let someone know your route, especially early in the morning.

On the pier, keep a hand on the stroller and watch for fishing lines and hooks. Near the beach, swim only by a staffed lifeguard tower and follow the beach flags.

Seasons

• WinterBeautiful and busy. Dry, sunny mornings are perfect, but parking gets tough on weekends.
• SpringWarm and breezy. Spring break can make South Beach crowded, so go early.
• SummerHot and humid with afternoon storms. Go at sunrise, use the splash pad and head home by late morning.
• FallStill warm, and hurricane season runs through November. Check the forecast before you go.

Rainy day backups

If the weather turns, you have a few close options:

• Lincoln Road, a pedestrian mall north of the park with shops and cafés, a short drive away.
• The Bass, Miami Beach’s contemporary art museum in Collins Park. Check hours and admission before you go.
• Miami Beach Regional Library, also in Collins Park, with a children’s area and air conditioning.

A sample morning

An easy plan for your first visit with a baby:

• 7:00 a.m.Park, use the restroom and grab a coffee near the splash pad if the café is open.
• 7:15 a.m.Walk the channel promenade toward the tip of the park and look for ships and pelicans.
• 7:35 a.m.Out on the pier for the ocean breeze.
• 7:55 a.m.Loop back past the grassy hills to the playground.
• 8:15 a.m.Feed, play or let the baby nap in the shade, and head home before the heat.

That’s about a mile with lots of stops, perfect for early postpartum weeks.

What to pack

Our short list for a South Pointe walk with a baby:

• Water for you, plus whatever your baby needs for feeds.
• A ventilated stroller sunshade and a clip-on fan. Never drape a blanket over the stroller.
• A hat and sun protection. Ask your pediatrician what’s right for your baby’s age.
• A portable changing pad and wipes, since changing tables aren’t guaranteed.
• A light rain cover, because summer storms pop up fast.
• A charged phone, with your route shared with a friend.
• A towel and dry clothes for the splash pad. Little ones will get soaked.
• A parking app, since parking at the park is paid.

Keep it light. A stroller basket stuffed with gear is harder to push and harder to fold at the end.

Pro tips

• 🚢
  Ship watchingTime it with the cruise ships

  Big ships often leave PortMiami in the late afternoon. It’s a thrill for toddlers.

• 🌅
  TimingGo early

  Mornings are cooler, quieter and easier for parking.

• 💧
  Splash padPack a towel

  Bring dry clothes for little ones who can’t resist the water.

• 🌬️
  WindLock the brakes

  It can get breezy on the pier. Always set your stroller brake when you stop.

• 🐶
  DogsFind the Bark Park

  The park has a dog area, so you’ll see plenty of pups.

• 📍
  Meeting upMeet at the pier

  “Meet at the start of the pier” is easy for everyone to find.

Miami heat is no joke for babies. Walk early or near sunset, keep little ones in the shade, and ask your pediatrician about sun protection and keeping your baby cool.

If you’re postpartum, check with your provider before adding longer walks, and build up gradually. Our guide to postpartum exercise once you’re cleared is a good place to start.

Walk South Pointe with us

South Pointe Park is one of the places we expect our first Miami walk clubs to start, especially short morning walks for new moms. We’re taking signups now, and founding members help choose the first routes and times.

See everything we’re building in Miami.

More stroller walks in Miami

• Miami Beach BeachwalkSouth Beach to North Beach · our full stroller guide
• The UnderlineBrickell and south · our full stroller guide
• Bayfront Park and the BaywalkDowntown Miami · our full stroller guide