Miami Beach

Miami Beach sits 9km south of Surfers Paradise, between Nobby Beach and Burleigh Heads. You'll find it consistently quieter than both neighbours, with a retro feel shaped by caravan parks, beach bungalows, and sculptures including "The Joggers" and "The Sea Lion" along the foreshore.

It's an open beach break for surfers and bodyboarders of all levels. The outer bar works best on offshore winds, and Miami Headland at the southern end shelters the beach from southerlies. Rip currents run whenever waves are breaking, so stay close inshore on the attached bar and avoid the outer trough.

From the southern end, rainbow-coloured stairs climb to Lores Bonney Lookout for panoramic views north to Surfers Paradise. The Gold Coast Oceanway runs the full length of the foreshore for walking or cycling.

Tower 21 at the Hythe St end is patrolled year-round, 8am to 5pm daily. Parking at the SLSC and on Marine Parade can be tight on weekends, so get there early.