The Key to Miami

If you are looking for a solitary beach experience, head for the South end of Virginia Key Beach on Key Biscayne where you can sun without being bothered. This area is where only the lonely go to get focused, even if it takes some looking as some areas fill up fast with more social types.

No worries.

Plenty of places at sprawling Virginia Key are naturally designed so you can get away from everything.

Meanwhile, kite flying fanatics and other active beachcombers set out for the North side of Virginia Key Beach. The latter area is also known as a key place for windsurfing and flights on ultralight seaplanes.

To remind you where you are, enchanting Virginia Key Beach affords amazing views of downtown Miami's skyline as well as Brickell Avenue. This is an expansive stretch of sand, including everything a respectable beach should shout about, like nature trails, picnic places, lots of shaded areas, and a nearby bird sanctuary.

Dedicated on August 1, 1945, Virginia Key Beach was originally designed solely for use by African Americans, but that plan didn't last. Situated off Rickenbacker Causeway and very convenient to the Miami Seaquarium, this wildly popular stretch of sand is now a sun-and-sea haven for literally everyone.

For further information, go to www.virginiakeybeachpark.net