Everything You Need to Know About Miami Beach’s Spring Break Crackdown 2025

Miami Beach is NOT Kidding Around

Spring break is right around the corner, and if you’ve got Miami Beach in your sights, you should know the city has some serious regulations in place this year. And we mean go-to-jail serious.

Miami Beach Is Playing Hardball This Spring Break

Miami Beach is bracing for big crowds, especially during March 13-16 and March 20-23. The city of 80,000 residents balloons during these peak spring break periods, and they’re not taking any chances when it comes to maintaining order. City officials are implementing strict regulations to keep “disorderly crowds, lawless behavior and violence” at bay, but you can still have fun if you follow the rules.

The Tough Love is Working

Miami Beach has seen some real trouble during recent spring breaks. In 2023, there were two fatal shootings. In 2022, three people were shot. Police have confiscated a whopping 291 guns during the past few spring break periods.

Luckily, the stricter approach looks like the right call. 2024 saw zero fatalities, zero shootings, and zero stampedes.

They’re Literally Running an Anti-Spring Break Ad Campaign

Miami Beach has launched a savage marketing campaign called “Miami Beach Spring Break Reality Check” to warn potential partiers. It’s a fake reality TV show where spring breakers have their dreams crushed by DUI checkpoints, crazy parking fees, and strict curfews before declaring it the “Worst. Spring break. Ever.” Which is exactly what Miami Beach wants you to think.

Alcohol Will Be Hard to Come By

If you’re planning to stock up on booze for a beach party, adjust your schedule or prepare to pay minibar prices. Packaged liquor stores in the Entertainment District will close at 8 p.m. nightly.

And don’t even think about bringing booze to the beach—it’s on the long list of banned items.

The Beach Has a Serious Banned Items List

The list of prohibited beach items is extensive: no cigarettes, no coolers, no inflatable devices, no tents or tables, no loud music, no glass containers, no styrofoam, no plastic straws, and no balloons.

Pack light and eco-friendly, or you’ll be turning right back around at the security checkpoint.

Beach Access Points Are Limited and Close Early

Getting onto the beach itself requires some planning. There are only three entrances open on Ocean Drive: 5th, 10th, and 12th streets.

Don’t plan on late-night beach strolls either – these entrances close at 6 p.m. and have security checkpoints to make sure none of those prohibited items make it through.

Ocean Drive Is Under Lockdown

The iconic Ocean Drive you’ve seen in movies and TV shows will have a different vibe this year. Cars can only enter from the north end and must exit at Fifth Street. Barricades will line the west side of the street, and the popular sidewalk seating areas at restaurants will be closed.

You can still walk down Ocean Drive and take selfies, but the vibe will be decidedly less “music video” and more “heavily supervised field trip.”

Parking Will Cost You a Fortune (If You Can Find It)

During the peak spring break weeks (March 13-16 and March 20-23), all parking garages and surface lots south of 23rd Street will be completely CLOSED to visitors.

If you still want to park, get ready to pay a shocking $100 flat rate at garages in Sunset Harbour and on 42nd Street. That’s right—$100 just to park your car.

There are license plate readers on the causeways into Miami Beach, and if you get towed, non-residents pay a heart-stopping $516.

DUI Checkpoints Are Everywhere

Miami Beach is setting up sober checkpoints along the 400 block of 5th Street starting at 7 p.m. on March 14-15 and March 21-22. This is a FANTASTIC thing because drunk driving is never cool.

You Can’t Rent Fun Vehicles

Businesses are prohibited from renting golf carts, slingshots, scooters, mopeds, small motorcycles, and motorized bicycles during spring break. Your transportation options are pretty much limited to cars, rideshares, or your own two feet.

That Cheap Airbnb Might Actually Be Illegal

Most short-term rentals booked for less than six months and one day are actually illegal in Miami Beach. Fines are brutal: $1,000 per day/per violation for first-time offenders, going up to $5,000 per day/per violation for repeat violations.

Make sure your accommodation is on the up and up before you book.