Easy South Beach Bike Ride Across Venetian Causeway and Back

Hey cyclists, if you're into chill, flat rides with solid scenery and no real climbs or sketchy traffic, this 11-mile out-and-back from South Pointe Park hits the spot.

STAGE 1: Start at South Pointe Park — right at the tip of Miami Beach. You've got open paths, views of ships cruising through Government Cut, the ocean on one side, and downtown's skyline across the bay. It's a nice quiet launch spot before things get busier.

STAGE 2: Head north on the boardwalk (the Beachwalk path) — ocean right there, waves rolling, people out jogging or just hanging. You'll pass Lummus Park with the volleyball games and that classic South Beach scene, then cruise along Ocean Drive's Art Deco strip: pastel hotels, old-school vibes, a bit of chaos from pedestrians and cars, but the path keeps you separate.

STAGE 3: Push up to the boardwalk around 17th Street — crowds start thinning, views stay good. Near Collins Ave. & Lincoln Rd., you catch some spillover energy from the mall: cafes, people out, street stuff. Lincoln Rd. & West Ave. is right there if you want a quick stop for a drink or whatever, but you can just keep rolling.

STAGE 4: Then swing toward the water and hit  Dade Boulfard (Venetian Causeway). This part's the best for riding — wind at your back, ow bridges over Biscayne Bay, connecting the Venetian Islands. Calm water, big houses on the islands, yachts parked out front, and the downtown skyline getting closer. You pass near the old Miami Herald area as you come off it into the city side. Quick dip into downtown vibes, then turn around.

STAGE 5: Head back the same way: Venetian bridges again, then south on the boardwalk — reverse ocean views, different light on the Art Deco stuff, back through the South Beach energy, and finish at South Pointe.

Whole thing's flat, mostly on paths or bike lanes, about 11 miles round trip. If you're not stopping every five minutes for pics or a coconut, it's an easy 90 minutes. Solid for a morning ride, sunset loop, or just getting some air after work.

Grab a Citi Bike and go. It's straightforward Miami — beach, bay, city — without over-complicating it. Here's a map of the ride:

South Beach Map

If it's windy and you don't do a lot of biking, riding across the causeway might be challenging. If so, here is a South Beach map of the main landmarks in the neighborhood. Biking around the beach is also a lot of fun.

Editor’s Note: Originally published August 19, 2004. Updated in 2026 with new maps and bike ride route.‍