Matheson Hammock Park & Marina

A Coral Gables park with a man-made atoll pool on the bay, tidal and calm, surrounded by palms.

Geprüft Oktober 2026

Matheson Hammock is the best calm-water swim for small kids in Miami: a sheltered saltwater lagoon with no waves; the trade-off is murky bay water, a parking fee and no open-ocean beach.

Why you go

You come for the atoll pool, a ring-shaped saltwater lagoon on Biscayne Bay that fills and drains with the tide, so there are no waves at all. Palms and a small beach circle it, and the skyline shows across the bay. There is also a marina and a seafood restaurant, Noma Beach at Red Fish, plus trails through the hardwood hammock. It rates 4.5 from more than 4,900 Google reviews.

When to go

Google lists 8 am to 5 pm daily, which matches the park office. The county lists atoll pool hours of 9 am to 5:30 pm on weekdays and 9 am to 6:30 pm on weekends in summer, an hour earlier in winter. Lifeguards are on duty on weekends and holidays only. Weekday mornings are quiet; weekend afternoons fill with families, so arrive early.

Know before you go

Car parking is $7 plus tax on weekdays and $10 plus tax on weekends and holidays, paid by app or at the office. Pets are not allowed, and tents, grills and flotation devices are banned on the beach. Bring water shoes and shade. The restaurant is open Wednesday to Sunday; call 305-668-8788 to reserve. For clear ocean water, go to Key Biscayne instead.

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