Miami, FL beaches?

Travel Info
I'm thinking of moving to Miami, FL. I love the beach, so this is a deciding factor for me.

1) Are the waters turquoise blue or crystal clear? I don't want dirty, filthy water.
2) Can I surf and snorkel?
3) Do the beaches get too crowded with tourists?
4) Do you know of any other places with nice beaches where I can surf and snorkel, to consider moving to? (Ex: North Carolina, Georgia, etc. - I heard California has gross waters.)

Travel Tips

St Petersburg, Florida.

Have been there on holiday a few times and is without doubt one of the most magical places in the world.

It's city has a European feel, it's beaches are pristine and the waters of the Gulf of Mexico are crystal clear and warm all year round.

You can't surf but even in the height of season the beaches are quiet.

Being a UK citizen, I am very jealous. Would move there in an instant if I could.

Miami is not a patch in comparison.
Others

Miami is NOT the tropics.

Miami is above the Tropic of Cancer and does NOT have tropical caliber UV

ALL PLACES not on and between 23. 5 N and 23. 5 S have INdirect OBLIQUE sunlight

MOVE TO HAWAII OR PUERTO RICO
1)torquise & there not dirty
2)u cant realy surf
3)sometimes
4)malibue
just to let u no i live right by there