Awesome adventures

In Greater Miami where the thermometer hovers around balmy for most of the year, you’re never far from a good time or a great beach. Set against the Atlantic Ocean, Miami’s golden-sand beaches fringe the coastline from South Pointe Park to Sunny Isles on Miami Beach, while framing the edges of Key Biscayne and other areas along the southern reaches of the county.

This sweep of sun and sand creates a natural water sports haven where families ride the waves on Jet Skis, sailboats, speedboats, windsurfi ng boards and catamarans. Or they can take the day and drift along blue Atlantic waters, looking for deep-sea game fi sh like wahoo, sailfi sh, tuna, grouper and snapper.

For those who prefer the action beneath the waves, there are myriad diving and snorkeling locations in Greater Miami and the Beaches, including natural reefs just offshore from Key Biscayne and the brilliant corals and dazzling marine communities off the coast of Homestead. Dramatic wrecks, including ships and barges, airplanes, tanks and even a water tower also add to the underwater panorama that has earned Miami the nickname “Wreckreational Dive Capital of the Americas.”

Even if you’re miles from the ocean, Miami’s many inland lakes and waterways — including those in and around the Everglades — provide ample opportunity for fi shing, canoeing and kayaking.

Landlubbers will fi nd plenty of activity in Greater Miami and the Beaches as well. Whether kids will be hitting the links with mom and dad, serving up a few games of tennis or renting bicycles and taking off on a cycling excursion, Miami’s tropical environment invites year-round play.

Put all these activities and more together and you’re probably standing in one of Greater Miami’s incredible parks, many of which feature biking and hiking trails, boat rentals, eco-tours, swimming, picnic shelters, playgrounds, barbecue grills and facilities for games like volleyball, basketball and baseball. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of local wildlife at area parks and preserves while indulging in a variety of outdoor pursuits.

If the name of the game is spectator sports, you’ve come to the right place. In addition to all of its recreational amenities, Miami still fi nds time to be a huge sports town. There are teams in nearly every major sport, including two-time World Series champs the Miami Marlins, three-time NBA champs Miami HEAT and the NFL’s legendary Miami Dolphins. In addition, talented squads from the University of Miami and Florida International University excel in football, baseball, basketball and more. As if that weren’t enough, major tennis and auto racing spectacles descend on Greater Miami and the Beaches every year, putting the Magic City in a league of its own.

Citi Bike Operated by DecoBike LLC Award-winning bike sharing program provides access to about 1,000 Citi Bikes at more than 100 convenient locations throughout Miami Beach and 1,750 bikes at 175 locations in Downtown Miami, 24 hours a day. No hassles of fi guring out where to leave the bike when not in use because Citi Bikes are always safe when parked at any of the bike share stations. To learn more, visit citibikemiami.com or call 305/532-9494.

Book your next cruise during Miami Cruise Month in January, and receive enticing offers on cruises departing from PortMiami and special pre- and post-cruise hotel stays, attraction visits and more. Visit MiamiCruiseMonth.com for more information.

Miami Sports & Wellness Month in April features discounts to enjoy great sporting opportunities in Greater Miami and the Beaches including golf, tennis, cycling, running, water sports and more. Visit MiamiSportsMonth.com for more information.

Parks

PICNIC SHELTERS BARBECUE GRILLS FOOD/DRINK CONCESSION STANDS S WIMMING POOL WALKING TRAILS BIKE TRAILS VITA COURSE FISHING BOAT RENTAL BASEBALL/ SOFTBALL FIELD B ASKETBALL COURT TENNIS COURTS VOLLEYBALL CAMPSITES SHOWER FACILITIES ADMISSION/PARKING FEE

A.D. “DOUG” BARNES PARK & “SENSE OF WONDER NATURE CENTER”* 3701 SW 72nd Ave., Miami 305/666-5883 (Park); 305/662-4124 (Nature Center)

ALICE C. WAINWRIGHT PARK*** 2845 Brickell Ave., Miami; 305/856-6794

AMELIA EARHART PARK* 401 E. 65th St., Hialeah; 305/685-8389

ARCH CREEK PARK & NATURE CENTER* 1855 NE 135th St., North Miami Beach; 305/944-6111

BILL BAGGS CAPE FLORIDA STATE PARK 1200 S. Crandon Blvd., Key Biscayne 305/361-5811; floridastateparks.org/capeflorida

BILL SADOWSKI PARK & NATURE CENTER* 17555 SW 79th Ave., Miami; 305/255-4767

BISCAYNE NATIONAL PARK 9700 SW 328th St., Homestead; 305/230-1144 nps.gov/bisc

CASTELLOW HAMMOCK PARK & NATURE CENTER* 22301 SW 162nd Ave., Homestead; 305/242-7688

CRANDON PARK* 6747 Crandon Blvd., Key Biscayne; 305/361-5421

DAVID KENNEDY PARK*** 2200 S. Bayshore Drive, Coconut Grove; 305/575-5256

EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK 40001 SR 9336, Homestead; 305/242-7700 nps.gov/ever

FLAMINGO PARK** 1000 12th St., Miami Beach; 305/673-7766

GREYNOLDS PARK VISITOR’S & NATURE CENTER* 17530 W. Dixie Highway, North Miami Beach; 305/945-3425 (Park); 305/948-2891 (Nature Center & Boathouse)

HAULOVER PARK* 10800 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305/947-3525

HISTORIC VIRGINIA KEY BEACH PARK 4020 Virginia Beach Drive, Miami; 305/960-4600 virginiakeybeachpark.net

HOMESTEAD BAYFRONT PARK* 9698 SW 328th St., Homestead; 305/230-3033

JOSÉ MARTÍ PARK*** 351 SW 4th St., Miami; 305/579-6958

LARRY & PENNY THOMPSON PARK* 12451 SW 184th St., Miami; 305/232-1049

LUMMUS PARK** Ocean Drive from 5th to 15th streets, Miami Beach; 305/673-7730

MATHESON HAMMOCK PARK* 9610 Old Cutler Road, Miami; 305/665-5475

NORTH SHORE OPEN SPACE PARK** 79th to 86th streets and Collins Avenue, Miami Beach 305/861-3616

NORTH SHORE PARK & YOUTH CENTER** 501 72nd St., Miami Beach; 305/861-3616

OLETA RIVER STATE PARK 3400 NE 163rd St., North Miami Beach; 305/919-1846 floridastateparks.org/oletariver

PEACOCK PARK*** 2820 McFarlane Road, Coconut Grove; 305/575-5256

SOUTH POINTE PARK** 1 Washington Ave., Miami Beach; 305/673-7006

TAMIAMI PARK* 11201 SW 24th St., Miami; 786/315-5295

Beaches

BAL HARBOUR Collins Ave. from 96th St. to Haulover Inlet, Bal Harbour 305/866-4633 balharbourflorida.com

BILL BAGGS CAPE FLORIDA STATE RECREATION AREA 1200 S. Crandon Blvd., Key Biscayne 305/361-5811 floridastateparks.org/capeflorida

CRANDON PARK BEACH* 6747 Crandon Blvd., Key Biscayne 305/361-5421

HAULOVER BEACH PARK* 10800 Collins Ave., Miami Beach 305/944-3040

HISTORIC VIRGINIA KEY BEACH PARK 4020 Virginia Beach Drive, Miami 305/960-4600 virginiakeybeachpark.net HOBIE BEACH/WINDSURFER BEACH CAUSEWAY South side of Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami 305/361-2833 HOMESTEAD BAYFRONT PARK* 9698 SW 328th St., Homestead 305/230-3034

MATHESON HAMMOCK PARK BEACH*

9610 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables 305/665-5475

MIAMI BEACH CENTRAL**

Collins Ave. from 21st St. to 46th St., Miami Beach; 305/673-7714

MIAMI BEACH NORTH**

Collins Ave. from 46th St. to 78th St., Miami Beach 305/673-7714

MIAMI BEACH/SOUTH BEACH**

(including Lummus Park from 5th to 15th St.) Ocean Drive & 5th St. to Collins Ave. & 21st St., Miami Beach 305/673-7714

MIAMI BEACH/SOUTH POINTE PARK **

1 Washington Ave., Miami Beach 305/673-7730

NORTH SHORE OPEN SPACE PARK **

Collins Ave. from 78th St. to 87th Terrace, Miami Beach 305/861-3616

OLETA RIVER STATE PARK

3400 NE 163rd St., North Miami Beach 305/919-1846 floridastateparks.org/oletariver

SUNNY ISLES BEACH

Collins Ave. from 157th St. to 193rd St., Sunny Isles Beach; 305/947-0606 sunnyislesbeachmiami.com

SURFSIDE

Collins Ave. from 88th St. to 96th St., Surfside 305/864-0722 visitsurfsidefl.com

BEACH WHEELCHAIRS CONCESSION STANDS PICNIC TABLES BARBECUE GRILLS SHELTERS BEACH CHAIR/ UMBRELLA RENTALS RESTROOMS SHOWER FACILITIES WALKING TRAILS BIKE TRAILS VOLLEYBALL WATERSPORTS RENTALS FISHING LIFEGUARDS/ BEACH PATROL AMENITIES

Palm-shaded jogging path curves around mile-long beach.

Scenic beach; walking and bicycle trails wind through native vegetation; historic lighthouse.

Three-mile-long lagoon-style beach protected by 13 lifeguard towers. Beachfront playground. Beach wheelchairs for rent.

Spacious beach with shady picnic area near the dunes. Clothing-optional section at northern end. Beach wheelchairs for rent. Pedestrian tunnels link to the park and marina on Biscayne Bay. Nine-hole golf course, tennis courts, kite flying area and kite shop.

Historic buildings, wetlands boardwalk, stunning, unobstructed views of the

Atlantic. Windsurfing beach on secluded inlet. Dogs allowed.

Palm-shaded beach on Biscayne Bay in South Miami-Dade County adjoining Biscayne National Park.

A lovely scenic park with a man-made atoll pool, which is flushed naturally with the tidal action of nearby Biscayne Bay.

Raised boardwalk over the dunes popular for strolling and jogging.

Community center and bandshell in adjoining park at the north end.

Artistic lifeguard stands. Two children’s playgrounds. People-watching, walking, jogging and in-line skating along concrete promenade bordering beach. Gay and lesbian beach at 12th St.

Entrance through the Park at 1 Washington Ave.

Beach borders a shady, uncrowded green park with a vita course and walking trails on the sand.

Sandy beach on Biscayne Bay in shady park offering many recreational activities. Sleepover cabins available.

Newly renourished two-mile long, wide, white-sand beach. Landmark fishing pier at south end where concessions are located.

Facilities are available in 93rd St. Community Center for a fee.