fbpx

The 5 Best Places to Fly a Drone in Miami (2024)

A list of the best places to fly your drone in Miami, Florida.

In this article, we’ve scouted out the best places to fly a drone in Miami, Florida.

If you live in (or are traveling to) Miami, please use this page as a resource to better understand not just where to fly, but also where it’s legal and illegal to fly a drone. We provide guidance on regulations to help you stay compliant with both federal and local rules.

fly drone miami

A Sectional Chart of the airspace surrounding Miami, FL. Source: VFR Map

Miami Drone Laws — Recreational vs. Commercial

The first thing to understand about flying a drone in Miami (or any city for that matter) is that under federal FAA regulations, you are either operating recreationally or commercially.

Drone operators are no longer required to independently contact air traffic control when flying within five miles of an airport. Instead, both recreational and commercial flyers can use the automated LAANC system to request airspace authorization to fly in controlled airspace around and above many airports. If you’re operating in Class B, C, D, or E controlled airspace, you’ll need to request airspace authorization. You may do this through LAANC or through FAADroneZone in areas where LAANC is not available.

When we list locations below, we’ll share whether they sit in controlled or uncontrolled airspace.

Get up-to-date airspace information, including temporary flight restrictions, using free apps like Aloft , Autopylot , or B4UFLY .

Interested in becoming an FAA-certified drone pilot so you can operate under the Part 107 regulations and make money flying your drone? Check out our industry-leading, online training course over at Drone Pilot Ground School.

So those are the federal rules.

But what about local Miami drone laws?

Here’s a guide we put together for drone laws in Florida. Make sure to consult that to see if there are any local drone ordinances you should follow in Miami. When in doubt, use good judgment and follow the FAA’s guidelines.

Note: The content on this page is meant for informational purposes only and is not meant to take the place of legal counsel. If we missed something, or if you have further questions, please send an email to support[at]horizonap[dot]com, and we’ll do our best to help you out.

Where to Fly a Drone in Miami

Alrighty—without further ado, here are our top picks for the best places to fly a drone in the Miami area. We selected these locations based on airspace restrictions, accessibility, and attractions. You’ll find that most of the locations we’ve chosen are located in uncontrolled, Class G airspace where you don’t need to request permission to fly. Additionally, we made sure to highlight any locations with designated sUAS/remote aircraft fields.

1 — Bayfront Park

301 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132

Bayfront Park is located on Biscayne Bay, it is a public park and is made up of 32 acres. The property has an Amphitheatre and an open-air pavilion. Dodge Island is right in line with the park. This is where all of the cruise ships dock, making it a great location for drone operations. With its close proximity to Downtown Miami, the city skyline is readily visible from various angles.

However, there are some precautions to take when flying at Bayfront Park. Drones are prohibited from being deployed, launched, or flown in any airspace within a half-mile radius of Bayfront Park when any sporting and/or large venue special event is taking place, based on this municipal law. It should also be noted that the park is split between Class B airspace and Class G airspace. Always remain vigilant when operating near controlled airspace.

fly drone Bayfront Park

Source: Robert Giordano

2 — South Pointe Beach

1 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139

South Pointe Beach is located within South Pointe Park, in South Beach, Florida. The park was opened in 1985 and consists of 17 acres. It sits along the shore of Government Cut where cruise ships arrive and depart to Dodge Island. Extending off of the property is the South Pointe Pier. Views of the ocean, pier, and cruise ships make this an ideal location for drone pilots.

fly drone south pointe beach

Source: Alan Perlman, CEO of Drone Pilot Ground School 

3 — Pier Park

16501 Collins Ave, Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160

Pier Park is located in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida and is home to the Newport Pier. The original pier was constructed at 800 feet back in 1936. It was deemed unsafe in the 1980s and almost faced demolition. In 1985, the historic pier was saved due to the $1 million renovation conducted by the owners of Newport Beachside and Resort. Hurricane Wilma destroyed the pier in 2005 and a completely new structure was built in 2013. Incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean and the skyscrapers that line the beach are sure to impress any drone enthusiast.

fly drone pier park

Source: Jimmy Baikovicius

4 — The Markham Park Airfield

16001 W State Rd 84, Sunrise, FL 33326

The Markham Park Airfield is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and welcomes all RC aircraft. A valid AMA membership is required to fly at the airfield and the card should always be available. The airfield is within Markham Park, which has a campground, mountain bike trails, and a target range. The State Road 84 Canal, or now called New River Canal, extends throughout the parks 666 acres. An Everglades water conservation area also sits behind the park. The expansive wildlife and scenery of this AMA field make it great for drone pilots.

Markham Park, Sunrise Florida (DJI Phantom 3 Professional)

5 — Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse

2801, 907 Hillsboro Mile, Hillsboro Beach, FL 33062

The Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse was built in 1907 and is on the list of The National Register of Historic Places. The lighthouse sits on three acres and stands at 136 feet tall, with a range of 23 nautical miles. The range of its light beam is considered to be one of the most powerful in the world. The inlet and the Hillsboro beach provide nice scenery for drone photos and videos.

fly drone hillsboro inlet lighthouse

Source: Cristiano Diniz da Silva

Take a Drone Flight Training Class in Miami

If you’re new to drones or looking to take your flight skills to the next level, we offer hands-on drone flight training in the Miami area. Our classes start at 2-hours long, and our expert instructors walk you through what to do before, during and after your flight—you’ll practice intelligent flight modes and learn how to stay safe but also how to get the shots or data you need. During the class, you’ll also get a chance to ask questions about regulations, software, flight operations management, checklists and more.

Sign up for a hands-on drone flight training class in Miami.