Andrew Uloza
for Miami Herald
As another Spring Break kicks off in Miami Beach this weekend, Saturday’s crowds yet again confirmed that the time of mega-crowds and unruly college students from all over the world is long past and may never return.
Zaina Bismal, 23, came from England with her friend Alissa Tagliaferri because they believed Miami Beach was still the party town they had heard of — a reality that soon came crashing down.
“We’re still having a lot of fun, but I wish there was a bit more people,” she said.
A group of young men play ball in Lummus Park on Saturday, March 14, 2026 in Miami Beach. Andrew Uloza For the Miami Herald
The crowd reduction measures the city had touted in weeks prior were in full effect Saturday — restrictions on parking, heavy police presence and checkpoints.
Those who did spend a day in the sun were what appeared to be the average crowds the city sees outside Spring Break. There were families, sprinkles of tourists and young adults looking for a break from the usual.
Several pickup games of soccer played out in the grassy areas along Ocean Drive; the beaches were mildly crowded. However, parts of both areas were inaccessible because of empty event structures and the four-day Gymreapers Wodapalooza along the sand and Lummus Park.
A structure on South Beach, Saturday, March 14, 2026 in Miami Beach. Andrew Uloza For the Miami Herald
Wodapalooza has attracted thousands of visitors and is part of the city’s plan this year to rebrand Miami Beach in March as a fitness destination rather than a party hotspot.
READ MORE: As first peak Miami Beach spring break weekend begins, fitness takes center stage
Laasya Vemparala, 20, who attends Nova Southeastern University, chose Miami Beach over Fort Lauderdale to spend Spring Break with her friends because they didn’t want to do the party crowds.
“We’ve been to Miami Beach before when it was crazy, and we like it a lot more now,” Vemparala said. “Fort Lauderdale is where the partying is, and we don’t need that.”
Nova Southeastern University and Case Western Reserve University students (on top, from left) Nitya Punjal, Bhavya Bansal, Khushi Falav and (bottom, from left) Veda Pesala, Laasya Vemparala and Richa Rajesh enjoy their spring break Saturday, March 14, 2026 in Miami Beach. Andrew Uloza For the Miami Herald
Jaime de Ena was relaxing on the sand with over two dozen middle schoolers he and other teachers were chaperoning from Nimes, France. Miami Beach was the latest stop for the students, who attend Institut Emmanuel D’alzon, as they tour Florida.
Arriving in Orlando and stopping in Cape Canaveral, de Ena loved how unique Miami Beach was, especially the Art Deco style, which he cheekily boasted had its origins in France.
While it was his first time in Miami Beach with the students, the other teachers had visited the city before with them and said the community has always been safe and welcoming. But they said they felt the police presence was heavy.
Middle school students of College Emmanuel D’alzon, from Nimes, France, pose for a picture in South Beach while traveling accros Florida on Saturday, March 14, 2026. Andrew Uloza For the Miami Herald
Miami Beach isn’t devoid of problematic situations during Spring Break this year. Saturday afternoon, Miami Beach officers tried to pull over a Dodge Durango on Ocean Drive for dark tinted windows. Instead, the driver decided to speed away, police spokesman Christopher Bess said.
An officer tried to cut off the driver with his SUV on the one-way road. But the Durango driver, who was not identified, slipped by. However, within 30 minutes, police tracked down where the man had jumped out of the car and thrown away a gun, thanks to a tight web of officers and city cameras, Bess said.
The man was arrested and is facing charges, including reckless driving.
Police follow a car on Ocean Drive speeding away from a traffic stop on Saturday, March 14, 2026 in Miami Beach. Andrew Uloza / for Miami Herald Andrew Uloza for Miami Herald
Bess stressed that the department is in its 12th day of Spring Break deployment and arrests are down 21% from last year.
“It tells people are behaving themselves, it tells us we probably have less people in the city that are bad actors,” he said. “This incident (the fleeing driver) shows that even though things are going very smoothly, we are not letting our guard down.”
Take a look at Spring Break in Miami Beach on Saturday:
Police are on patrol in South Beach during spring break on Saturday, March 14, 2026 in Miami Beach. Andrew Uloza For the Miami Herald 
South Beach during spring break on Saturday, March 14, 2026. Andrew Uloza For the Miami Herald 
Young people play soccer on the beach during spring break weekend, March 14, 2026 in Miami Beach. Andrew Uloza For the Miami Herald 
A dancer entertains people on Ocean Drive on Saturday, March 14, 2026 in Miami Beach. Andrew Uloza For the Miami Herald 
Young people play soccer on the beach during spring break weekend, March 14, 2026 in Miami Beach. Andrew Uloza for the Miami Herald