Haulover Beach (recently renamed Haulover Park) is a Miami Beach gem that's well known around the world. It's a top nudist beach in the United States and one of the best worldwide. It's the ideal Florida beach for those who appreciate sunbathing and swimming sans swimsuit looking for a sandy shoreline, open ocean surf, and scenic views.

Whether you choose to visit the clothing-optional beach section or not, there's plenty of sand, sun, and water to appreciate. We're going to share everything you need to know about Haulover Beach and why it should be your next Miami beach destination.

History of Haulover Beach

Miami’s Dade County Commission purchased the area in 1940 and started construction the following year. However, World War II put Haulover Beach plans on hold until 1945.

William Lyman Phillips designed the space, which marked a massive construction effort that entailed clearing and refilling along the waterfront. Additionally, the teams built five pedestrian underpasses to allow people safe passage across the A1A highway.

Though the county christened the space as Haulover Park in January 1947, it didn’t open the space to the public until the following year.

So, where does the name come from? There are various accounts.

One story is that there is a scenic spot along the southern edge known as Baker’s Haulover Cut. This man-made channel connects Biscayne Bay to the Atlantic Ocean. The slip of land bears the name of a local fisherman, Philip Edward Baker, who frequented the space during the mid to late 1800s. Baker used the slip to haul over the catch faster than other routes.

Another narrative is that during the late 1800s, a mailman became a local legend for delivering mail barefoot. He supposedly traveled by foot along the beaches and hauled his mail over the beach to the bay before boating back to Miami.

A final story is that the name Haulover pays tribute to the Prohibition-era boats that smuggled whiskey to the beach. Smugglers hauled over their cargo from the beach to the bay to transport it north.

Though the fishers, mail carriers, and smugglers probably wore clothing during their trips across Haulover Bay, the northern part of the park has been clothing optional since 1991.

Today, it’s a popular space for nude beachgoers and even features a separate dog park.

About Haulover Beach Park

Haulover Beach is a 1.5 mile of beautiful, sandy shores. There are several areas of the beach, including the northern clothing-optional beach and dog-friendly locations.

The beach also boasts some of the most convenient parking lots and amenities of a public beach. Beach facilities and amenities include a kite shop, beach chair and umbrella rentals, lifeguard towers, tennis courts, restrooms, and a food truck.

One of the most fun experiences at Haulover Beach is the annual Kiteober Festival which features a display of giant kites. This free event is fun for all ages and is accompanied by food trucks and kite-related activities.

Haulover Beach Park Attractions

There's a lot of fun to be had at the beach. Here are some top attractions at the beach and park!

Various Beaches

As mentioned, there are several areas of beach at Haulover Beach Park. All of these designated areas are family-friendly and welcome all kinds of beachgoers.

The specific clothing-optional beach is located in the northern one-third section, between lifeguard towers 12 and 16. You can find all amenities listed above here.

The off-leash dog area is between lifeguard stands 2 and 3. It's open daily from 8 AM until 4 PM.

Concessions

If you're planning to spend hours at the beach and think you'll need a snack break, not a problem! You can find food trucks, cafes, and restaurants offering concessions. Every Tuesday evening, there's also a food truck festival.

Kite-Flying

Haulover Beach Park is one of the best spots in Florida to fly a kite on the beach. There's even a kite shop in the park, Skyward Kites.

Marinas

If you're looking to go boating, there are a couple of marinas at the beach.

Bill Bird Marina is only minutes away from incredible fishing opportunities. There are over 150 slips that accommodate vessels up to 120 ft. You can also find a laundry room, vending machines, and restrooms with showers.

The Haulover Marine Center provides dry storage for boats and has a rental facility, bait shop, marine service department, and gas dock.

Picnic Areas

Several picnic shelters with BBQ grills are available for rent. You can also find various picnic tables throughout the park.

How To Get There

Whether you're staying nearby or driving from afar, Haulover Beach is easy to get to and access. It's located between the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean on Collins Avenue.

If you drive to the beach, you'll park across the street in one of the lots and take the pedestrian tunnels to the park. There is handicap parking available and ramps to convenient accessibility.

Review of Haulover Beach, Florida

Haulover Beach is a unique and fun experience for most of its visitors. It’s far quieter than we expected, especially given the popularity and high ratings for the beach. But, we think that's what makes it even better!

The beach is easy to access with reasonable parking and plenty of amenities, including restrooms, a lifeguard, and picnic areas. There’s a lot to do, and parties in the pavilions are fairly regular. Kite rentals are also a blast, especially when the wind is just right because there is plenty of room to roam.

The beach is also a great place for pet owners to visit and spend time outdoors with their dogs. You can easily wash up before getting back in the car, too. This dog park is massive compared to others, and it’s got an incredible view at sunset. Note that the dog park typically closes at 4 pm.

One thing that sets Haulover Beach apart is that it's very welcoming of all. There doesn't seem to be an issue with nudists judging non-nudists or vice versa, making it an even more refreshing space. Everybody seems to enjoy the ambiance and freedom to be who they are at the beach.

Another key selling point for Haulover Beach is its cleanliness, especially on the beach itself.

Summers and weekends can get quite busy. If you're looking for some peace and quiet, we find that Mondays seem to be the best day to visit because it’s almost empty and offers a more secluded vibe.