Key Biscayne vs South Beach: As Different As It Gets in Miami

A lot of “this vs that” posts that I write on this blog have a lot of nuances. A lot of pros and cons to weigh about which is better for your personal circumstances and still it’s a tough choice because you’re looking at two good options.

This isn’t one of those posts. This is going to be the easiest choice you ever make. Key Biscayne and South Beach could not be more different so once I break down the basics for you and describe the general vibe of each, you’re going to know exactly where you want to stay. 

I will preface this post with a little info…I am not a “South Beach person”. I am not into the Miami party scene and since South Beach is ground zero for it, it’s not a place that I love spending a lot of time. BUT I’ve spent time in both areas and I think I can do a pretty good job of objectively describing each place so you can decide which one sounds best to you.

Key Biscayne vs South Beach

Let’s start with South Beach. South Beach is Miami’s most famous neighborhood. Located at the southern end of Miami Beach (the barrier island off the coast of Miami), it’s an incredibly international scene famous for nightclubs, trendy restaurants, posh resorts, golden beaches, and people who want to be seen. 

And then you have Key Biscayne. Sometimes called Miami’s “secret island,” Key Biscayne is just south of Miami Beach, but it’s accessed by a separate bridge from the mainland making it much more remote. Key Biscayne is upscale, very family friendly, and very much not a party place. It’s more like a place where there’s not much to do after it gets dark. 

Both areas are only about 15-20 minutes away from Miami International Airport. 

Best Beaches

Here’s the deal…Miami beaches in general are not my favorite. I’m spoiled from mostly going to beaches on the Florida Gulf Coast and panhandle and nothing compares. Both areas are prone to seaweed and the water is a little cold and rough (but that’s the Atlantic for you). The beach at South Pointe Park (just south of South Beach) is probably the prettiest beach I’ve seen in the Miami area, but (and it’s a big but) when I saw it I was standing on the pier so I had a good vantage point plus the sun was out so the water looked super blue. 

Crandon Beach Park on Key Biscayne is another favorite because of the palm trees. It used to be the largest coconut plantation in the US and it’s one of the only places where I’ve ever seen so many palm trees right out in the sand. Shade is always a precious commodity at the beach! But neither of those beaches are beaches where resorts are located so they may not be the ones you end up spending much time at anyways. 

Best Resorts

Well there’s really just one resort on Key Biscayne, the Ritz Carlton, but it’s a good one. It’s a large property with several restaurants, two large pools, and an onsite tennis center. The spa is also pretty awesome. Because Key Biscayne is quieter with less going on, the Ritz here truly feels like a beach resort. Besides the Ritz, everything else is mostly condos and homes.

South Beach and Mid Beach (read about the difference here) is pretty much one long stretch of resorts ranging from cheap party hotels to luxury resorts to high end boutique hotels. The options are absolutely endless and there are some truly fabulous resorts and hotels in this area. I would definitely say it wins out in terms of selection, but the properties aren’t super large since real estate is at a premium. Also, even the nicest place feels more like a city hotel where when you leave the city kind of smacks you in the face. 

***Want to save major $$$ on a fancy beach resort? My favorite travel hack is cashing in points to score free nights at some of the island’s most high end resorts. My go to hotel brand is Marriott so I use this Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card to rack up points for a lot of my trips to Florida. If you pay for your monthly expenses on the card and are responsible about paying it off every month, the points add up really fast. Plus, if you sign up through my link, you’ll get THREE bonus free nights to use. In Florida, use your points at some of my favorite Marriott properties like the Swan Reserve at Walt Disney World, the Vinoy in St. Pete, the EDITION Miami Beach, the JW Marriott Marco Island, and the soon to open St. Regis Longboat Key. 

Best Restaurants & Nightlife

This one is South Beach by a landslide. Miami has to be one of the biggest “foodie” cities in the country and the restaurant scene is hottest in South Beach. Everything is international, there’s always a new “it” restaurant, and it’s where all of the nightlife is. 

There are some good restaurants on Key Biscayne, but they’re much fewer and farther in between. If you’re a major foodie working off a list of what’s trendy, you’re probably going to end up driving into Miami or Miami Beach every night. 

Best for Families

Key Biscayne hands down. I honestly wouldn’t take kids to South Beach. Not only is Key Biscayne a better place for families to vacation, but it’s a big draw for families to live. The main drive through the “village” of Key Biscayne is lined with well maintained parks and sports fields that are full of kids day and night. While it may not be where visiting families hang out (unless you’re on a sports team!), it sets a tone for the whole area. 

Side Note: If you’re looking for a rental car for your trip, I LOVE Discount USA Car Rental. They’re seriously the only company I ever use. I started using their sister company (Discount Hawaii Car Rental) on my Hawaii trips almost 10 years ago and now I use their main site for all of my other trips. They’ll give you the very best prices, you don’t have to reserve with a credit card or pay until you show up, you can cancel and re-book anytime if you find a better rate, and they usually have a special that adds additional drivers for no fee. It’s a no brainer. Click here to check rates for your trip.

Best for Activities

If you’re looking for activities like tennis, golf, biking, water sports, etc. I would definitely give the edge to Key Biscayne. It feels more like an island paradise than a city and there’s just more to get out and do besides the party scene. 

After reading through this, you probably know exactly which area you want to stay in, but to recap…

Stay in South Beach if…you like the party and nightlife scene, high end hotels and restaurants are important, you want to be in the middle of “it all.”

Stay in Key Biscayne if…you’re traveling with kids, if you like a little more peace and quiet, if you’re into tennis, golf, and biking, if you can afford to stay at the Ritz Carlton. 

Want to Read More Posts about Florida? I’ve got plenty!

Check out these destinations: Miami (Things to Do Besides Party & Where to Stay) // Key Biscayne // Sanibel & Captiva // Longboat Key & Anna Maria Island // Marco Island // 30a // St Augustine // Amelia Island // St Pete Beach // St Petersburg // Fort Myers // Dunedin // Crystal River & Weeki Wachee Springs // Honeymoon Island & Caladesi Island State Parks // Tarpon Springs // Matlacha & Pine Island // Apalachicola

Trying to narrow it down? Siesta Key vs Anna Maria Island // St Pete Beach vs Clearwater Beach // Sanibel vs Marco Island // Destin vs Panama City Beach // Destin vs 30a // Key Biscayne vs South Beach // Seaside vs Rosemary Beach 

Best Beaches in Florida with Seashells

Best Florida Tennis Resorts

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