Outdoors and on the water across Miami-Dade County, from Miami Beach, Miami and Homestead and beyond, nearest first.
17 things to do · Updated September 2026
17 places in Miami-Dade
Swimming hole · Coral Gables
South Florida has no natural springs — they all sit north of Orlando. Local stand-ins: the spring-fed Venetian Pool in Coral Gables (1924 lagoon pool, $23, closed Mondays), the atoll pool at Matheson Hammock, the Snyder Park dog lake, and Peanut Island's snorkel lagoon.
Beach · Miami Beach
Fires only on strong N-NE swell after fronts, but it's a scene when it does.
Beach · Miami Beach
Island Water Sports runs FREE group lessons every Saturday 7–9 am at Deerfield Pier (register online, gear included). Also Ocean Magic and Blueline (Jupiter), EZride and Living Water (Broward), South Beach Surf Lessons (Miami).
Beach · Miami Beach
Fall is the season: Sept–Oct tropical systems send groundswell; November's first cold fronts bring 2–4 days of NE windswell each. Surfline cams at Juno Pier, Reef Road, Deerfield and South Beach; NOAA buoy 41114 (Fort Pierce) for incoming swell; the National Hurricane Center for swell-producing storms.
On the water · Homestead
'Wreck capital of Florida': Lady Luck (324-ft tanker with underwater art), Captain Dan, Guy Harvey, Rodeo 25, Tenneco Towers, SS Copenhagen. South Florida Diving Headquarters (night dives, lobster trips, a Halloween dive), Pompano Dive Center, Scuba Monkey.
On the water · Key Biscayne
Underwater 'Atlantis' cemetery-reef in 40 ft via Tarpoon Lagoon or Divers Paradise (Crandon Marina; also shallow snorkel trips).
On the water · Coconut Grove
Reef snorkel $115; sail-paddle-snorkel $209; Boca Chita lighthouse cruise $83; Stiltsville tour $70; evening bay cruise $65 from Nov. The best-value way to see the park.
On the water · North Miami Beach
Mangrove trails to the Sandspur Island sandbar; Friday sunset paddles, monthly full-moon tours, Sunday SUP yoga.
On the water · Key Biscayne
Miami Kiteboarding (IKO; $200/hr private, 3-hr $650) and Miami Kiting. Season starts with November's fronts (steady 15–25 kt); Sept–Oct are for light-wind lessons and foiling. Adventure Sports USA teaches on Pompano/Hillsboro beaches — closest to home.
On the water · Miami
Ski Rixen (Quiet Waters Park, Deerfield — the original US cable park, Wibit aqua park), Miami Watersports Complex (Amelia Earhart Park), Shark Wake Park (Okeeheelee, WPB).
On the water · Kids · Miami Beach
Fort Lauderdale Watersports / Splash Watersports (Pompano & FTL), Boucher Brothers (Hollywood & South Beach).
On the water · Miami
Fort Lauderdale Community Sailing / LYC (basic keelboat, Wednesday-night racing), Blue Water Sailing School (Bahia Mar; ASA liveaboard courses incl. Bahamas passages — Nov is prime), Coconut Grove Sailing Club, Palm Beach Sailing Club.
On the water · Miami
Sept–Oct mullet run: snook, tarpon and sharks blitzing bait off every pier and inlet (Anglin's, Juno, Deerfield, Pompano, Dania piers, $5–7; Juno Pier allows leashed dogs). November: sailfish season opens with the first fronts — Jupiter/Palm Beach is 'Sailfish Alley.' Drift boats (Sailfish Marina, Lady Pamela II, Kelley/Reward Fleet); private half-day ~$700–1,000.
On the water · Homestead
Sawgrass Recreation Park ($31; private sunrise or 'Red Eye' night boat from $325) and Everglades Holiday Park (from $30, Gator Boys show). Further out: Billie Swamp Safari on the Seminole reservation (airboats + swamp buggies; more wild) and the Tamiami Trail operators (Coopertown, Gator Park, Everglades Safari Park, Miccosukee). Mornings or nights in Sept; anytime in Nov.
On the water · Miami
90-min Star Island / Millionaire's Row bay cruise.
On the water · Miami Beach
Private boats to Nixon Sandbar / Stiltsville; Getmyboat lists pet-friendly rentals.
On the water · Homestead
Fast ferry ~2 hr each way, roughly Wed/Fri/Sun; passport required. Snorkel the Sapona wreck and Radio Beach. Book November for the smoothest crossings.