Top spot to watch and dine as Miami’s cruise ships sail out

MIAMI, Fla. — It has become a favorite for locals and visitors to Miami’s South Beach to watch the giant cruise ships head out to sea.

And some of the best views are right next to the famous beach at a place called South Pointe Park & Pier.

PortMiami’s CEO Hydi Webb says South Pointe is one of the best viewing spots due to its location and the size of the ships coming and going every day.

“When I first came here to the port in the early 90s, you looked at a cruise ship. It was about 3,000 passengers, and that was wow! But today, you come to our port, and you see ships here, 7000 passengers and up,” said Webb.

Nearly every day, cruise ships pull out of the port of Miami and head down the canal adjacent to South Pointe Park.

Parkgoers can set up chairs under a palm tree, ride bikes or even play at a water park while the giant ships head to their destination.

“Because our local community and out of towners love to come out and see these massive floating cities come down our channel,” said Webb.

You are so close to the ships, people wave from shore to the passengers standing on their balconies waving back to park visitors.

Many people walk over from nearby South Beach in the late afternoon to catch multiple ships going out.

There is a popular restaurant located along the canal where guests come to dine and have drinks, but more importantly, watch the ships sail.

South Florida resident Daisy Graciano says they are amazing to watch.

“They are gigantic and beautiful. And you’re able to see everyone walking and just watching those cruise ships pass by,” said Graciano.

PortMiami (also referred to as Port of Miami) has plenty to be proud of these days besides having an amazing park nearby.

It has become the world’s busiest cruise ship port, handling 8.2 million passengers last year.

Webb says that port activity supports some 340,000 jobs and it also creates $61 billion of economic prosperity, which helps to make up 3.9% of the state’s GDP.

“The port is essential to Miami, that helps to generate significant revenue for the area from both cruises and cargo,” said Webb.

Cruise ships sail out of the Port of Miami nearly every day, but Saturdays and Sundays are typically the biggest departure and viewing days.

South Pointe Park is free and open to everyone.

There is an hourly fee to park, and it’s done through an app.

To know when cruise ships will sail, visit BBpilots for departure times.