Miami Sport Activities
There is a lot to see and do in Miami. This one is for the sporty and the adventurous kinds. Miami has something for all, right from Fishing to Windsurfing you find everything for all the sports enthusiasts.
If you are looking for a slow and an easy going Golf, you are at the right place. Miami offers perfect climate and the lush green breathtaking scenery for the sport. A little more enthusiastic ones can go in for Biking and Hiking. It homes some of the most interesting and beautiful trails that are famous the world over.
Explore the deep blue waters and the exotic marine life while you Scuba Dive or go in for Boating to spend a relaxing trip on water.
Fishing
Haulover Beach Park
This is one of the most popular places for fishing. You can find the best surf casting in the city here where the bait-and-tackle shop are right on the pier.
South Pointe Park
his is the southernmost tip of the Miami Beach and another favorite spot for fishing. The place features long piers, comfortable benches where you can relax, and a magnificent view of the ships passing through Government Cut.
Kelley Fishing Fleet
one can look out for deep-sea fishing here. There are diesel powered party boats available here in which you can also go in for full day and night fishing. People usually go in fishing for snapper, sailfish, and mackerel. There are schedules for 2 to 3 day trips for Bahamas also that are offered here. Reservations are recommended.
Key Biscayne
he place offers deep-sea fishing. To fish here you should be ready to dirty your hands and also shell out a bit more. There is stiff competition amongst the boats here and the price is the same no matter which you choose. The boats also supply you with rods and bait along with the instructions in case you are trying it out for the first time.
The rate of the boats at present is around $400 to $450 for a half day and $600 to $700 for a full day of fishing. These rates are usually for a party of up to six, and the boats.
Biking
Miami Beach Bicycle Center
601 5th St., South Beach (tel. 305/674-0150).
This is a great place for the bikers. You can bike on the beach and go in for people watching here. The cement promenade on the southern tip of the island is just ideal. Most of the big beach hotels rent bicycles, as does the which charges $5 per hour or $14 per day. It’s open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 7pm, Sunday from 10am to 5pm.
Grove Cycle
3216 Grand Ave. Coconut Grove (tel. 305/444-5415)
The beautiful and the quiet streets of Coral Gables and Coconut Grove are just ideal for the bicyclists. The Bikers can pedal for more than 130 miles on the paved paths throughout Miami. The path has great scenery with old trees forming canopies over the roads. There are several bike trails are spread throughout these neighborhoods, so can go in for any one of them. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 11am to 5:30pm, Sunday from 11am to 6pm.
Key Biscayne
This is the perfect terrain for biking, especially along the park and beach roads. Rickenbacker Causeway is also good if the sound of cars zooming past doesnt distract and bother you. You also get excellent views of the city and the waterways on the way.
Key Biking
61 Harbor Dr., Key Biscayne (tel. 305/361-0061), rents mountain bikes for $5 an hour or $15 a day. It’s open Monday through Friday from 10am to 7pm, Saturday from 10am to 6pm, and Sunday from 11am to 4pm.
Billed as the most scenic bicycle trails, it is one of the favorites haunt of the locals who are tired of the hustle bustle of the city. Absolutely devoid of traffic, this is the place to bike for those looking out for quiet places.
Biking note: Children under the age of 16 are required by Florida law to wear a helmet, which can be purchased at any bike store or retail outlet selling biking supplies.
Golf
Don Shula’s Hotel & Golf Club
6842 Main Street Hialeah, FL 33014.
Designed and built in 1962, the golf club spreads over 7055 yards and comprises of lush greens, colorful, trees and natural lagoons and beautiful wildlife. This club has an 18-hole, par-72 championship course and a par-3 executive course.The holes are surrounded by a thick cut of rough and Bermuda grass.
Crandon Park Golf Course
6700 Crandon Boulevard Key, Biscayne, FL 33149
Considered to the best golf courses in South Florida, it was established in 1972. this par-72 course was a host to the Royal Caribbean Classic Senior PGA Tournament. Peaceful and serene the location is beautiful and is complemented by the quiet Miami skyline across Biscayne Bay in the distance.
Biltmore Golf Course
1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables, FL 33134.
One of the oldest, this Golf Course was designed by Donald Ross in 1925. Featuring wide fairways and a few bunkers, this is a par-71 golf is in the historic Biltmore Hotel. The Biltmore has one of the country’s largest pro golf shops.
Boating
Boating or rather cruising is allowed only in and around Biscayne Bay. You can rent the boats from the private rentals outfits. Some of them include:
Boat Rental Plus
2400 Collins Ave., Miami Beach (tel. 305/534-4307)
This place offer best prices for 50-horsepower 18-foot powerboats rent for some of the best prices on the beach. The rates go anywhere from $99 to $449 for 2 hours.
Note: for boating the renters must be over 21.It’s open daily from 10am to sunset.
Club Nautico of Coconut Grove
2560 S. Bayshore Dr. (tel. 305/858-6258)
Coconut Grove is another area, which is fantastic for boating. You can hire a boat from Club Nautico of Coconut Grove which rents out high-quality powerboats for fishing, water-skiing, diving, and cruising in the bay or ocean. All these boats have a coast guard and also VHF radios and safety gear. Rates range from $199 for 4 hours and $299 for 8 hours, to as much as $419 on weekends.
Other locations include the Crandon Park Marina, 4000 Crandon Blvd., Key Biscayne (tel. 305/361-9217), with the same rates and hours as the Coconut Grove location..
Hiking
Snake Bight Trail
Highway 9336, Homestead, FL
This four-mile trail near Flamingo is considered to be the best place for hiking. The Snake Bight Trail offers lots to see. There are a numerous native plant species and animals on the trail. The trail ends in a boardwalk that extends out into Florida Bay and is a prime spot for bird watching. Even the bikers are permitted on most of the trails but they must avoid the boardwalk. On the way you are likely to come across tropical hardwoods such as ink wood trees, West Indian mahogany and cabbage palms but must keep a look out for the poisonwood with the reddish-brown bark and orange fruit. For the bird lovers, you can spot greater flamingos and roseate spoonbills, along with the more common egrets and herons.
Long Pine Key Trail
Highway 9336 Homestead, FL.
This seven-mile trail that moves through the pine forests and open prairies is considered to be the most scenic. You find varieties right here, right from slash pine forests to hardwood hammocks to open saw grass prairies. There are more than 200 plant varieties under the pine canopy; 30 of these plants are rare. Also keep a watch for the Everglades frogs and snails and osprey, herons and egrets.
Anhinga Trail
Highway 9336 Homestead, FL
One of the most popular in the Everglades National Park, Anhinga Trail is packed with amazing wildlife especially during the dry season from December to April. On your way you will witness lots of birds, cormorants, egrets and herons. Alligators can also be are spotted in the warm weather, if you are lucky. Plant species like cocoplum, cattail, buttonbush and pond apple are common along the trail.
Scuba Diving
The ideal areas to scuba dive are the artificial reefs that attract varieties of tropical plants, fish, and animals. Biscayne National Park also offers a protected marine environment and is great for scuba diving.
Another popular location for scuba diving is Miami Beach and Key Biscayne that too have numerous artificial reefs off the coast. Divers Paradise offers two dive expeditions daily for more than 30 wrecks and artificial reefs. It’s open Monday to Friday from 10am to 6pm and Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 6pm. Call ahead for times and locations of dives (tel. 305/361-3483).
Wind Surfing
Mostly all the water sport lovers head for Key Biscayne that offers plenty of opportunities. One of the most popular wind surfing spot in the city is Hobie Beach. The Sailboards Miami(tel. 305/361-SAIL), operates out of big yellow trucks here. If you are not familiar with the sport they also hold a 2-hour lesson for $69 after which you can just head straight to the waters. After that, you can rent a board for $20 an hour or $38 for 2 hours.
