# Matheson Hammock Park: Protected Tidal Atoll Pool & Biscayne Bay Views

> Place to go for families in the Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach area (FL). Times are Eastern Time.

- When: Park open daily sunrise to sunset; Atoll pool swimming area open daily 9:00 AM–4:30 PM…
- Dates: Tue, Dec 1 – Sun, Feb 28
- Where: Matheson Hammock Park & Marina, 9610 Old Cutler Rd, Coral Gables, FL 33156
- Ages: All ages welcome; atoll pool is custom-suited for toddlers and beginner swimmers; stroller-friendly paved walkways
- Price: Vehicle parking: $7 weekdays; $10 weekends and holidays (pay via PayByPhone app or park machine); Pedestrian and bicycle entry free
- Schedule: Park open daily sunrise to sunset; Atoll pool swimming area open daily 9:00 AM–4:30 PM in winter (subject to water conditions and lifeguard coverage)
- Organizer: Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces
- Official page: https://www.miamidade.gov/parks/matheson-hammock.asp
- Last checked: Wed, Nov 4

Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Nov 11, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about
Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-10), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/miami/activities/matheson-hammock-park-protected-tidal-atoll-pool-and-biscayne-bay-view--listing-77a2437a96da899242b0a8f8

## About

Nestled along scenic Old Cutler Road in Coral Gables, Matheson Hammock Park features one of the most uniquely child-friendly swimming spots in Greater Miami: an enclosed, circular man-made saltwater atoll pool. Flushed naturally with fresh seawater twice daily by Biscayne Bay tides, the crystal-clear pool has zero ocean currents, zero waves, and a wide sandy beach shelf where toddlers and little ones can safely splash, build sandcastles, and float under lifeguard supervision.

Surrounding the lagoon, towering coconut palms provide natural shade, while paved walking and stroller paths trace the shoreline with sweeping views of the downtown Miami skyline across the bay. The park also includes a full-service marina, kayak and paddleboard launches, scenic nature trails through an ancient tropical hardwood hammock, and picnic pavilions with charcoal grills.

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