From casual casts to fully immersive lessons, fishing on the Newport Fishing Pier offers something for every kind of angler. Just steps from The Sunny, guests can rent rods and fish at their own pace or dive into hands-on classes led by our pier pros. Whether you’re brand new or looking to level up, the Newport Pier delivers a true South Florida fishing experience — easy, memorable, and right over the Atlantic.
Fishing On The Newport Pier
Meet Shannon, better known as Seaweed
The heart and soul of fishing on the Newport Pier. A Miami Beach living legend, Seaweed is the star of the award-winning film South Beach Shark Club on Amazon Prime. With decades of experience in South Florida waters, Seaweed leads hands-on, all-inclusive fishing experiences using his custom rods and gear. Equal parts guide, storyteller, and local icon, Seaweed makes every cast a memory
Fishing Classes
Guests learn how to catch bait, fish live bait for bigger species, and pick up practical pier-to-ocean know-how—alongside unforgettable stories, local history, and firsthand insight from life on the water.
Fish on the Pier
Rod, reel, bait — we’ve got it all. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or trying it for the first time, the Newport Pier is open daily for public fishing. Stop by the bait shop, rent what you need, and see what bites.
The History of The Pier
Originally built in 1936, the Newport Pier stretches 776 feet into the Atlantic and has seen nearly a century of change — and more than a few stories. Today, this historic public fishing pier is one of Sunny Isles’ most iconic attractions, and one of the most unique experiences available to guests at The Sunny.
1936 – The Sunny Isles Pier is built by the Miami Beach Fishing Pier Company, stretching 800 feet to welcome visitors to Sunny Isles Beach. It quickly becomes a go-to spot for locals, tourists, and fishermen alike.
1980: The Newport Fishing Pier is considered unsafe and faces threats of being demolished. In 1982, though unsafe in its current state, it is designated a historic site.
1985: The historic Sunny Isles Pier is saved from demolition by the owners of the Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort, who lease it from the state and promise to renovate it into an attraction for shopping, fishing and dining. The pier’s name is changed to “The Newport Pier” and it closes temporarily for renovation.
1986: The pier re-opens after more than $1 million in repairs.
2005: Hurricane Wilma damages the pier forcing it to close once again. The city of Sunny Isles Beach has the safety of the pier checked by several engineering firms and it was concluded that the damages to the pier had compromised its safety.
2007-2012: Plans to restore the Newport Pier are announced by the City Commission. The city enters into a public-private partnership with the owner of the Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort to restore the Newport Fishing Pier – the last remaining public pier in Miami-Dade County.
2013: The Newport Pier re-opens to the public.
2025: Today, the Newport Fishing Pier remains a vibrant part of the community—free to walk, easy to enjoy, and full of life. Whether you’re watching the waves, casting a line, or grabbing a drink at Sandbar, it’s a place where locals and visitors come together under the sun.