DOLPHIN MALL OR SAWGRASS MILLS: WHICH MIAMI MALL IS BETTER?

If you’re planning on doing some shopping and wondering which mall is better, Dolphin Mall or Sawgrass Mills, this blog post is for you!

One of the biggest joys I get while visiting Miami is the incredible shopping you can do here. There hasn’t been a time I visited the city without doing some serious damage to my wallet. People usually gravitate towards the two most popular malls in Miami, and those are Dolphin Mall and Sawgrass Mills. This blog post is a comparison guide of the two, so you can decide which one suits you best. However, if you have the time, visiting both is definitely worth it!

DOLPHIN MALL VS SAWGRASS MILLS AT A GLANCE 👀

	Dolphin Mall	Sawgrass Mills
Location	Sweetwater, near Miami	Sunrise, near Fort Lauderdale
Distance from Miami	~30 minutes	~1 hour
Number of stores	~240	350+
Best for	Convenience & shorter shopping trips	Serious outlet shopping
Luxury outlets	Some	Much larger selection
Time needed	3–5 hours	Full day
Best if you’re staying in Miami	Yes	Only if shopping is a priority
Best if you’re staying near Fort Lauderdale	No	Yes

If you’re staying in Miami and only have a few hours for shopping, I’d choose Dolphin Mall. It’s much closer to Miami and easier to fit into a full itinerary. However, if shopping is one of the main reasons you’re visiting Miami, Sawgrass Mills is worth the extra drive because it’s much larger and has a bigger selection of outlet and designer stores. We’ve been to both malls multiple times, and personally, I prefer Sawgrass Mills. However, Dolphin Mall can make much more sense depending on where you’re staying and how much time you have.

DOLPHIN MALL OR SAWGRASS MILLS: LOCATION

One of the biggest deciding factors between these two malls can be their location. Both Dolphin Mall and Sawgrass Mills are popular shopping spots in South Florida, but they’re in different areas. While they’re both associated with “Miami,” neither is actually in the city itself.

Dolphin Mall is located in Sweetwater, close to Miami International Airport, about 30 minutes from Downtown Miami. Thirty minutes isn’t too long, which makes it easy to visit if you’re staying in Miami for a short time or have a short layover. We visited Dolphin Mall while in Miami on a cruise since we only had a couple of hours to spare. You can get to Dolphin Mall quickly from downtown Miami by car or shuttle bus.

Sawgrass Mills, on the other hand, is about 30 minutes from Fort Lauderdale, about an hour’s drive from Downtown Miami. That’s twice the time it takes to get to Dolphin Mall, which makes Sawgrass Mills less convenient if you’re in Miami for just a day. Sawgrass Mills usually attracts people who don’t mind traveling a bit for a full day of shopping.

In short, if you’re only in Miami for a day or two, Dolphin Mall is definitely more convenient. However, Sawgrass Mills is better if you’re looking for a bigger shopping adventure that can take up the whole day!

DOLPHIN MALL OR SAWGRASS MILLS: SIZE AND VARIETY OF STORES

When it comes to size and shopping options, both malls have a lot to offer, but they do feel different.

Dolphin Mall is a large mall, though still smaller than Sawgrass Mills. It has a mix of popular brand-name stores, outlets, and some high-end shops, with around 240 stores in total. Even though that sounds like a lot, it’s pretty easy to find something for everyone without needing the whole day. The mall is divided into zones, and everything is clearly marked, so navigating it is simple. Some of the popular stores at Dolphin Mall include Nike, Adidas, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, Guess, and more.

Sawgrass Mills is massive and focuses mostly on outlet shopping, which means better deals! With over 350 stores, including designer brands, big-name outlets, and specialty shops, it’s perfect for a full day (or even two) of shopping. I personally prefer Sawgrass Mills because the variety is just incredible and you’ll find plenty of things for yourself. Popular brands like Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, and Guess are there like at Dolphin Mall. But Sawgrass also has outlets for Burberry, Gucci, Prada, Jimmy Choo, and Tory Burch.

If you’re hunting for bargains on well-known brands, Sawgrass Mills is the place to go, while Dolphin Mall is better for a quicker, more casual shopping trip but still with a good mix of stores.

DOLPHIN MALL OR SAWGRASS MILLS: ENTERNTAINMENT

I haven’t really explored much beyond the shopping, but here’s a quick overview. Dolphin Mall has a movie theatre, an arcade, and sometimes live events, so it’s a fun spot if you want a break from shopping.

Sawgrass Mills also has a movie theatre and some play areas for kids, but the main focus is definitely shopping. Neither mall is ideal if you’re just looking for entertainment without shopping, but both offer a few extra activities to make your visit more enjoyable.

DOLPHIN MALL OR SAWGRASS MILLS: DINING

When it comes to food, both malls offer plenty of options, but Sawgrass Mills definitely comes out on top. Dolphin Mall has a mix of fast food, casual dining, and sit-down restaurants, mostly centered around the medium-sized food court in the middle of the mall. Here’s a link to Dolphin’s dining options to check out. Sawgrass Mills, on the other hand, has a larger food court and a wider variety of restaurants, so it’s better if you’re planning a full day of shopping. You can see the dining options at Sawgrass here!

DOLPHIN MALL OR SAWGRASS MILLS: WHICH HAS BETTER DEALS?

When it comes to discounts and deals, Sawgrass Mills is the clear winner. It has over 350 outlet stores and frequent discounts of up to 70% on major brands, so it’s a shopper’s paradise. Every time we visit, we’re amazed at the prices, and you’ll notice plenty of shoppers even bringing suitcases for their things because the deals are that good. Designer brands like Coach, Jimmy Choo, and Givenchy often have discounts of 50% or more, so Sawgrass Mills is perfect for those ready to spend a full day hunting for the best bargains.

Dolphin Mall also has some good deals, with discounts on popular brands and occasional tourist offers, but it doesn’t compare to Sawgrass Mills. It’s smaller and more convenient for a quick shopping trip, but if you’re looking for major bargains, Sawgrass Mills is the place to go.

DOLPHIN MALL VS SAWGRASS MILLS FAQ

Is Dolphin Mall or Sawgrass Mills better?

In my opinion, Sawgrass Mills is better because it has a much better variety of stores and the deals are usually better. However, Sawgrass Mills is significantly further from Miami, so if you don’t have much time or don’t have a car, Dolphin Mall is the easier and more convenient choice.

Which mall is closer to Miami?

Dolphin Mall is much closer to Miami. It’s only around 30 minutes from Downtown Miami or Miami Beach, while Sawgrass Mills is around an hour away. If you’re looking for a mall that’s closer to your accommodation and easier to fit into your itinerary, Dolphin Mall is probably the better choice.

Is Sawgrass Mills worth the drive from Miami?

Absolutely! We always stay on Miami Beach, and Sawgrass Mills is the highlight of every single trip to Florida for me. The drive may take an hour, but the deals there are so amazing that it’s absolutely worth it. I’d drive two hours if I knew I’d find the kind of deals I always get at Sawgrass Mills.

How long do you need at Sawgrass Mills?

The whole day! There are over 350 stores, and many of those brands have incredible deals, so you’ll need plenty of time to properly explore everything. Honestly, if I had the budget for that much shopping, I’d stay overnight in Sunrise and come back for a second day of shopping. Unfortunately, I don’t have the money for that, or the ability to fit all those purchases into my suitcase!

How many stores does Dolphin Mall have?

Dolphin Mall has over 240 stores, so there’s plenty to explore, whether you’re spending half a day or a full day shopping!

Does Sawgrass Mills have better outlet deals?

Yes. Not only is it bigger and has a better selection of brands, but the deals are also significantly better, sometimes with discounts of up to 50% or even 1+1 offers. I’ve rarely seen deals like that at Dolphin Mall, at least at the stores I was interested in.

Can you visit Sawgrass Mills without a car?

Yes! There are shuttle buses that can take you from Miami Beach or Downtown Miami to Sawgrass Mills for around $50 for a return trip.

Which mall is better for designer brands?

Sawgrass Mills is absolutely better for designer brands. It has a whole outdoor section of the shopping centre dedicated to designer brands, and you could easily spend an entire day just exploring the outlet versions of all these designer stores!

CONCLUSION: WHICH ONE IS BETTER

So, Dolphin Mall or Sawgrass Mills? It really depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re staying in Miami and only have a few hours for shopping, Dolphin Mall is the more convenient option. It’s closer, easier to fit into your itinerary, and has plenty of popular brands.

If shopping is a major part of your Miami trip, I’d choose Sawgrass Mills. It’s much bigger, has a huge variety of outlet stores and offers more options for designer shopping. Just make sure you have enough time because this is definitely a full-day shopping trip!

We’ve visited both several times, and Sawgrass Mills is still my personal favourite. However, Dolphin Mall can absolutely be the better choice if you’re short on time or staying closer to Miami.