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| Pelicans at Haulover Beach, Miami |
Pelicans aren't uncommon in Miami. I sometimes see them nosediving for fish in the Indian Creek waterway, as I look out of my window in Miami Beach. Nevertheless, the brown pelican is a protected species.
Haulover Beach Marina
If you want to see pelicans close-up, not at a distance fishing in the sea or waterways, the best place that I know is Haulover Beach Park Marina.
Haulover Beach is in Miami-Dade County, to the north of Miami Beach, between Bal Harbour Village and Sunny Isles Beach, but not part of any municipality.
Pelicans Await the Return of Fishing Boats
The morning return of fishing boats is the reason for the pelicans' attendance. There's no set time – round about 11 am, or maybe a bit earlier – but the pelicans seem to know when the boats are due.
They waddle about, clustering around a slab where fish from the boats are gutted, and scramble in competition for the entrails which are discarded.
Don't Go to a Zoo
You could go to a zoo to see pelicans, but why do that when you can see free albeit semi-domesticated pelicans without paying?
In any case, for me zoos are prisons for animals, but unlike the prisoners in jails for human beings, the animals haven't done anything wrong.
Get There early
Get to Haulover early, because the boats don't sail to a timetable.
In the park there's a restaurant, a souvenir shop, kite rental and picnic tables.
North up Highway A1A from Miami Beach
From South Beach it's about a 15- or 20-minute drive to Haulover, depending on the traffic, straight up Collins Avenue (Highway A1A) heading north.
Just after Bal Harbour shopping centre, which is on the left, you pass over a bridge. Haulover Beach Park Marina is also on the left.
Not at Haulover Marine Center
Watch for the signs and don't confuse it with Haulover Marine Center, a few minutes further on. I have seen pelicans there, too, although not as many.
If you miss the turning you may have to drive on little way before you find a turning place, maybe at the shops in Sunny Isles Beach.
Buses to Haulover Beach
By bus it will take about 30 minutes to get to Haulover Beach, the letter S or the 120 – the latter is faster – fare $2, exact money only.
If the 120 shows Haulover as its destination, stay on till the end. Otherwise, look out for Bal Harbour shopping centre and the bridge soon afterwards, and get off as soon as possible after the bridge.
You can walk under the bridge to reach the marina.
Online Map of Route to Haulover
For an online map of the route to Haulover Beach Park Marina by car, and for bus schedules, click on the Google Transit link in the right-hand sidebar of this blog, and for tips on how to use Google Transit read this post: Directions in Miami - Walking, Driving, Bike, Buses & Trains.
Haulover Nudist Beach
While you're at Haulover you might want to check out the nudist beach, which is about a 15-minute walk away, opposite Haulover Marine Center. Alternatively, there's a “textile” beach, as naturists say, at the opposite side of the road from Haulover Beach Park Marina.
Haulover Beach Marina
If you want to see pelicans close-up, not at a distance fishing in the sea or waterways, the best place that I know is Haulover Beach Park Marina.
Haulover Beach is in Miami-Dade County, to the north of Miami Beach, between Bal Harbour Village and Sunny Isles Beach, but not part of any municipality.
Pelicans Await the Return of Fishing Boats
The morning return of fishing boats is the reason for the pelicans' attendance. There's no set time – round about 11 am, or maybe a bit earlier – but the pelicans seem to know when the boats are due.
They waddle about, clustering around a slab where fish from the boats are gutted, and scramble in competition for the entrails which are discarded.
Don't Go to a Zoo
You could go to a zoo to see pelicans, but why do that when you can see free albeit semi-domesticated pelicans without paying?
In any case, for me zoos are prisons for animals, but unlike the prisoners in jails for human beings, the animals haven't done anything wrong.
Get There early
Get to Haulover early, because the boats don't sail to a timetable.
In the park there's a restaurant, a souvenir shop, kite rental and picnic tables.
North up Highway A1A from Miami Beach
From South Beach it's about a 15- or 20-minute drive to Haulover, depending on the traffic, straight up Collins Avenue (Highway A1A) heading north.
Just after Bal Harbour shopping centre, which is on the left, you pass over a bridge. Haulover Beach Park Marina is also on the left.
Not at Haulover Marine Center
Watch for the signs and don't confuse it with Haulover Marine Center, a few minutes further on. I have seen pelicans there, too, although not as many.
If you miss the turning you may have to drive on little way before you find a turning place, maybe at the shops in Sunny Isles Beach.
Buses to Haulover Beach
By bus it will take about 30 minutes to get to Haulover Beach, the letter S or the 120 – the latter is faster – fare $2, exact money only.
If the 120 shows Haulover as its destination, stay on till the end. Otherwise, look out for Bal Harbour shopping centre and the bridge soon afterwards, and get off as soon as possible after the bridge.
You can walk under the bridge to reach the marina.
Online Map of Route to Haulover
For an online map of the route to Haulover Beach Park Marina by car, and for bus schedules, click on the Google Transit link in the right-hand sidebar of this blog, and for tips on how to use Google Transit read this post: Directions in Miami - Walking, Driving, Bike, Buses & Trains.
Haulover Nudist Beach
While you're at Haulover you might want to check out the nudist beach, which is about a 15-minute walk away, opposite Haulover Marine Center. Alternatively, there's a “textile” beach, as naturists say, at the opposite side of the road from Haulover Beach Park Marina.
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