Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo 2023 S-Series LEADERBOARD

Miami - it needs an explanation

by Bob Wonders on 23 Dec 2009
This magnificent mansion, reportedly sold a while back for more than USD$20 million. It was home to Al Pacino during the filming of the gangster movie ’Scarface. Bob Wonders

For those who have never visited Florida's southern cities, it is probably desirable to point out a few facts.

Miami and Miami Beach; Miami Beach is not the beach at Miami!


Miami and Miami Beach are two separate cities, each with its own council, its own police force; they are about a 20 minute cab ride (depending on traffic) apart.

Much of Miami Beach is built on a series of islands, linked to the mainland by bridges and causeways.

The two cities are very, very different.

Miami Beach is the destination favoured by wealthy residents and the tourists and is home to many of the region's attractions, such as the famous art deco hotels, the beaches, the five-star hotels, nightclubs and restaurants.

Miami is much more like a city, and has the normal downsides associated with a typical city such as slums, ‘street people' and a crime rate well in excess of Miami Beach.

Miami has been labelled 'America's most un-American city.'

The reason for that is the influx of Spanish-speaking citizens, manly from Cuba and Puerto Rico; there is even a fairly large area of the city known as ‘Little Havana.'

I recall about 20-years ago, one of my early visits to the city, and the lead story in the press and on the electronic media centred on an ‘Anglo American' who was knocked back for a job on the grounds that he couldn't speak Spanish.
Several sections of the community were upset, to say the least.

That's Miami!

Frankly, I find it an interesting place to visit, although I don't imagine I would ever want to live there.

I have been to Little Havana and found it quite a fascinating experience and discovered that Cuban food and cooking was definitely appealing to my palate.

Because of the convention centre, most of my time is spent in Miami Beach and it is an equally interesting place.

It can be ‘party town' at the drop of a hat and there are well-known restaurants (such as Joe's Crab House) where it is virtually impossible to get a table during boat show time.

For the history buff, Miami Beach has its attractions, too.

Having once been a regular reader of gangster novels, I went to take a look at the waterfront mansion on Star Island once called home by the legendary crime boss Al Capone; a few months ago it was up for sale, a snip at USD$16.5 million.

Ol' Scarface died in the home, but there's been no talk of it being haunted.
Just a few doors along from Al's, still on Star Island (on the water, linked by causeway, about half-way between Miami and Miami Beach) is the former home of basketball superstar Shaquille O'Neal.

He sold it for about USD$16 million to the boyfriend of supermodel Naomi Campbell.

That home is almost next door to the spectacular mansion which ‘starred' in the Al Pacino movie, ‘Scarface' (no connection with Al Capone).

The very same island also features a very nice, actually quite conservative waterfront home once owned by Frank Sinatra, while another close by is owned by the Parker family and if you're wondering where that family made its money think pens!

Other celebrity homes nearby include that of Julio Iglasius and Ricky Martin and both are very impressive ‘piles', complete with tennis courts and marinas.


Another piece of history I came across will no doubt impress movie fans; on the façade of a hotel near the convention centre was a plaque informing all that a team of West Point cadets were stationed there during World War II ‘under the command of Captain Clark Gable.'

Movie buffs would also appreciate seeing many of the hotels which have featured in Hollywood ‘blockbusters', such as the Fontainebleau, where much of the James Bond Movie ‘Goldfinger' was filmed.

Miami or Miami Beach, take your pick, they're well worth a visit and I'll rate it in advance that it will be a visit you won't regret.




Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350Zhik 2024 DecemberHenri-Lloyd Dynamic Range

Related Articles

Finn World Masters in Medemblik day 3
Pieter-Jan Postma continues to lead after 5 races Pieter-Jan Postma, from The Netherlands, continues to dominate the Finn World Masters in Medemblik, The Netherlands, after a fifth race was sailed on Wednesday in a north-westerly breeze building from 8-12 knots during the afternoon.
Posted on 18 Jun
24th Argentario Sailing Week day 0
Historic boats from 9 nations have gathered in Porto Santo Stefano Historic boats have gathered in Porto Santo Stefano to take on the 24th edition of the prestigious Argentario Sailing Week, organised by the Yacht Club Santo Stefano with the tangible support of the Monte Argentario Municipal Council.
Posted on 18 Jun
29th Superyacht Cup Palma fleet is ready to go
Crews are now able to size-up the competition in their respective classes The owners, captains and crews of the spectacular array of yachts gathered for the 29th edition of the Superyacht Cup Palma are making their final preparations ahead of the start of racing next Thursday.
Posted on 18 Jun
Swan One Design Worlds kicks off
Practice race and opening ceremony in Costa Smeralda The crystal waters of the Costa Smeralda once again set the stage for one of the most anticipated events in the international racing calendar: the 2025 Swan One Design Worlds, hosted by Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in collaboration with ClubSwan Racing.
Posted on 18 Jun
Class40 top guns enter Rolex Fastnet Race
One of the most successful genre of offshore race boat ever Now 20+ years old, the Class40 has proved itself one of the most successful genre of offshore race boat ever.
Posted on 18 Jun
Finn World Masters in Medemblik Day 2
Pieter-Jan Postma leads after the second day of racing in The Netherlands Pieter-Jan Postma, from The Netherlands, is leading the fleet of 307 Finns from 27 countries after everyone sailed two more races at the 2025 Finn World Masters in Medemblik. France's Laurent Hay is second with Germany's Fabian Lemmel in third.
Posted on 17 Jun
World Sailing launches the World Sailing Academy
A new online learning platform for the global sailing community World Sailing officially launched the World Sailing Academy, an innovative new online learning platform designed to provide comprehensive educational resources and training to sailors, coaches, officials, administrators, and the global sailing community.
Posted on 17 Jun
Sailing and the summer solstice
Celebrating sailing and the longest day of the year If you love long evenings and early mornings, this is one of the best times of the whole year, as the summer solstice (Friday, June 20) and the entire rich expanse of summer are about to burst into bloom.
Posted on 17 Jun
New Caledonia Groupama Race update
Rushour crew safely back in Noumea after capsize The boat was located and it was identified as capsized. All crew members were accounted for. Crew were transferred in the larger aircraft at Koumac and arrived back at Noumea at about 4pm local time.
Posted on 17 Jun
Video Review: The Amazing Cure 55
Composite Construction meets Cruising Convenience It was two years ago at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show that I talked to Dave Biggar about his ideas and plans for the Cure 55. At the 2025 show I got to step on board the yacht and see how his ideas became reality.
Posted on 17 Jun