South Pointe Park occupies the southern tip of Miami Beach, where the Atlantic meets Government Cut — the shipping channel dredged to give Miami Harbour deep-water access. The park was redeveloped in 2009 with a striking design that includes a promenade, lawns, a pier, and a splash pad for children. The views from the pier look back across Government Cut to the skyline of the Port of Miami and downtown, with cruise ships passing at close range when they depart.
The park is popular with local residents for morning runs, weekend picnics, and evening walks — it has a neighbourhood feel even when busy, partly because it is at the end of the island and requires a specific trip to get there rather than being on the way to anything. The restaurant Smith & Wollensky sits at the northern end of the park with views across the cut. This is genuinely the best vantage point in Miami Beach for watching the maritime activity of one of America's busiest ports.