Spring Break is NOT the Time for Miami Beach

There are rules...

In Miami, we have had a ton of news every spring about Miami Beach and the havoc the influx of thousands of students causes when they arrive in March. This is my third year here, and I watched last year as the powers that be in Miami Beach. This year, I took a trip over the bridge (thirty minutes from downtown on a Sunday) to see for myself.

Sort of shocked at the empty sidewalk. I’m used to it being packed. Maybe the rules are effective?

A Little History

Florida is where college students have historically come for their week of spring break fun. The beaches have always been packed, and parties, noise, and chaos are everywhere if you live near a beach during March. Since spring break is a different week in various cities of the U.S., instead of one week being notorious for the parties, in the Miami area, it includes the entire month.

During college, I selected a calmer area at the foot of Alabama in Gulf Shores. Miami Beach, Florida, or the party mania of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, were out of my price range and comfort zone, even as a college student. I was always exhausted when spring break arrived, and needed calm by the sea, not insanity.

A sample of the hotels next to the beach

Everything in Miami Beach, however, has changed. In the spring of 2022, the city imposed a curfew after two spring break shootings that left five injured. Since we are all immune by now to the concept of public shootings, I’m not sure any of the Miami area residents were surprised. During that year, the police were everywhere, yet someone walked into the crowd with ten police officers within “10-15 feet of the shooting” and opened fire into the crowd. Three hundred seventy-one officers (371) were working the area, attempting to control the crowds, especially over the weekends.¹ The police chief complained that officers were injured, and his entire team was exhausted. He tweeted for the city officials to do something to end the party.

And they did. Off-premises liquor sales were stopped on the weekends, forcing the partyiers to drink alcohol inside the bars, hotels, and restaurants. A concert was rescheduled to a calmer time, and curfews were instituted on the weekends.

Then the following year, on March 17, 2023, a shooting occurred during spring break that left one person dead and another injured. The incident happened at 7th Street and Ocean Drive, right at the beach in one of the most popular areas. In addition, there was violence during other St. Patrick’s Day and Spring Break parties. Curfews again were instituted from midnight to six in the morning in South Beach, and again, no off-premises alcohol consumption was allowed. A state of emergency was declared.

Then the rules got tighter:

1. No alcohol on the beach.

2. Bag searches at all beach entrances

3. Early beach closures

4. Prohibited items included coolers, inflatable devices, tents, tables, and other objects.

5. Parking garages and other lots south of 23rd Street were closed to non-residents (even Miami residents).

6. All sidewalk seating was closed on weekends.

7. Several streets were restricted from traffic, and there were DUI checkpoints.

Residents were advised to be home before midnight to avoid being caught in the curfew.

Then, in 2024 came the PSAs, the Public Service Announcements, where Miami Beach was officially “breaking up” with Spring Break.² And the rules are even tighter. In addition to the above, there are $100 parking fines, blocked garages, double towing fees, and security checkpoints.

I Wanted to See For Myself

So I did. I did my usual MB routine, and the first thing I noticed was that my usual route was not highlighted when checking traffic on Google Maps. It’s a habit here, because traffic can be a nightmare in Miami. I could not make the app take me across Venetian Way, so I winged it. There was construction at two intersections, but there was no reason that would make the app not show this route. Had the residents complained? Had the city complained? I have no idea.

Turning the corner to the parking deck, I saw attendants outside and blocked entrances. After creeping up to the entrance, the surly guard told me that only Miami Beach residents could use the decks and parking lots. Miami citizens were out of luck, just like the rest of the world. I found street parking after going around vehicles idling in the streets for someone to leave.

Then I walked for two hours.

Compare this photo taken on March 24, 2025, with the videos in the news clips above.

The beaches were, for the most part, empty. I kept walking, thinking I’d find at least a few crowds. Nope.

Unused chairs. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen this in March.

The beach path that follows the beach was terrific. There were no crowds, although the noise from the hotels hidden behind the foliage on the right continued to blast through.

So, was their “crackdown” a success? The city says so. I’ve monitored social media throughout this, and while some party folks and businesses complained about the lack of usual Spring Break business, there were even more comments from business owners who were happy not to have to deal with the chaos.

Looks like a lovely afternoon to go to the beach. Doesn’t it?

What Does This Have to Do With Me?

Nothing. This doesn’t affect me. Miami feels the effect of Spring Break, yet other than the Ultra concert scheduled in a few days at Bayfront Park, we do not have the usual crowds and chaos that Miami Beach experiences. We have car and boat noise, music, traffic, and an influx of pedestrians, but that’s part of living near downtown Miami.

Big party hotel. (I’ve stayed here once.) And you can see, it’s not very busy here.

I was only curious whether this massive restriction on visitors’ freedom succeeded. My sample visit says the city’s rules have made a big difference. I’d be interested to hear the opinions of the Miami Beach residents.

Keep in mind that there are economic issues also affecting Lincoln Road. I saw too many signs of this:

And this:

I discovered that Brickell's new Nespresso location (I’m a writer—I drink a lot of coffee) was not new, but it was a relocation from Lincoln Road in Miami Beach. All areas have their ups and downs. You only have to look at downtown Miami to see this. I’ll check back here later.

For you, do your research and visit Miami wherever you like. Just beware of Spring Break in Miami Beach. And ALL THE RULES.

1. That, to me, is a significant number, especially for a small town like Miami Beach, packed into a small barrier island.

2. Watch the YouTube videos. The PSAs are hilarious.