Top Outdoor Swimming Spots In South Florida
Flagler Beach/Monument Island
Three-hour trip via: Tropical Sailing
401 Biscayne Blvd.
Miami, FL 33132
(305) 744-1344
www.tropicalsailing.com
Unlike the 60's sitcom about shipwrecked Gilligan's disastrous three-hour tour, South Florida water enthusiast's eager for adventure can travel safely to Monument Island. Tucked neatly into Biscayne Bay, the park, built by Henry Flagler in 1920, can only be reached by boat. Once you've chartered your Island Adventure, enjoy swimming and frolicking along the sandy beach with amenities like noodles, floating mats, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards, or dive off the floating island, all provided by your hosts. Be sure to bring your own blankets, chairs and picnic foods. Complimentary soft drinks, peanuts, chips and pretzels are available.
Larry And Penny Thompson Memorial Park
12451 S.W. 184 St.
Miami, FL 33177
(305) 232-1049
www.miamidade.gov
Located within the 270-acre park next to world-famous Zoo Miami are a large freshwater lake and a white sand beach. It's been said the crystal blue lake is "the ideal inland swimming spot." However, the most unique feature of the park is three enormous water slides carved into the side of a rock mountain that dump swimmers into a pool. No two slides are alike so sliders can look forward to a different experience as they try each one out. You must be over four feet tall to use the slides.
Oleta River State Park
3400 N.E. 163 St.
North Miami Beach, FL 33160
(305) 919-1844
www.floridastateparks.org
For a relaxing outing, be sure to visit Oleta River State Park where swimming is allowed along its 1,200-foot beach. In addition to swimming, park goers can fire up a grill in the picnic table area. Considered the states largest urban park, Oleta River also features off-road bicycling trails and a mangrove forest filled with South Florida plants and wildlife. And canoeists and kayakers can explore the river at the north end of the park. If you want to extend your visit, feel free to book an air-conditioned cabin.
Related: Top Public Pools In South Florida
(www.hialeahfl.gov)
McDonald Water Park
7505 W. 12 Ave.
Hialeah, FL 33014
(305) 818-9164
www.hialeahfl.gov
McDonald Water Park is filled with all kinds of fun and fascinating water adventures. Try floating, wading, or swimming along the 1,000 foot Lazy River and pass through the waterfall tunnel. Then splash in the wave pool which has three different wave variations. Or spend time playing at the water playground, geysers, water guns and interactive splash pad. The park has a concession stand, a party area which takes reservations, and they offer Red Cross swimming lessons for ages six months to four years old.
The Venetian Pool
2701 de Soto Blvd.
Coral Gables, FL 33134
(305) 460-5306
www.coralgables.com
Picture yourself in an exotic Mediterranean location as you float through cave-like grottoes and swim by two waterfalls at the 820,000 gallon Venetian Pool. Built in 1923 from a coral rock quarry, its fed with spring water from an underground aquifer. Architectural features include two historic towers, loggias, porticoes, and a signature bridge. George Merrick envisioned and created this paradise which is the only swimming pool listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There is also a café located on the spacious grounds.
Related: Top Spots To Buy Swimsuits In South Florida
Dylyce Clarke is author of The Royalty Principle: a Guide to Reigning in the Kingdom of Heaven. Her personal testimony includes events which she refers to as "close encounters of the God kind." She is President of Space Coast Word Weavers, a writer's critique group, and has short fiction stories published in magazines.
