20 Best Beaches in the US That’ll Make You Cancel That Caribbean Trip
You don’t need to fly to the Caribbean to find white sand, clear water, and palm tree lined coastlines. Some of the best beaches in the US deliver the same kind of escape, with no passport required.
America’s coastline extends across thousands of miles and touches every kind of landscape, from the wild, windy shores of the Pacific Northwest to the calm, warm waters along the Gulf. Organized by region, these best US beaches prove that you can rival many international getaways without taking a flight.
Top Beaches on the East Coast
Atlantic beaches run from wild and windswept to polished and boardwalk-lined. You’ll find long stretches of sand in historic places like the Outer Banks and Cape Cod. The water tends to be cooler and the surf stronger, but there’s a lot to the classic East Coast summer destinations.
1. Coquina Beach, Outer Banks, North Carolina
Just south of Nags Head, Coquina Beach feels like the part of the Outer Banks that hasn’t been overrun. It’s part of Cape Hatteras National Seashore, so there’s no boardwalk, just dunes and the wide, empty shore. The name comes from the coquina clams that wash up and scatter like little shells with legs.
This North Carolina beauty has plenty of parking, real restrooms (not just portables), and showers to rinse off. Surf fishing is popular here, and you can drive on the beach with a permit. The beach is also notable for the remnants of the Laura Barnes shipwreck and Bodie Island Lighthouse is a classic New England postcard photo.
2. Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland/Virginia
You come to Assateague for the wild horses that roam freely along the beach and dunes, but you stay for the uninterrupted horizon you just don’t get at most East Coast beaches. The island is 37 miles long, with long sections managed by the National Park Service and no development in sight. There are no hotels, no beachfront bars, and barely any crowds.
Swim in the Atlantic, camp under the stars, kayak in the calm back bays, or bike through marshland trails filled with egrets and herons. Facilities are basic but functional. Summer water temps land in the mid-to-high 70s°F (24–26°C), which is perfect for floating or body surfing.
3. South Beach, Miami, Florida
South Beach is loud, stylish, and exactly as extra as you’d expect. Between the pastel Art Deco buildings, celebrity sightings, and 24-hour energy, this beach is an all-day, all-night kind of place.
The city may be expensive, but the sand’s fine, the water stays warm year-round, and you’re within walking distance of legendary nightclubs and international restaurants. For quieter sunbathing, locals head toward the southern tip near South Pointe Park. Parking is expensive, so ditch the car and bike or walk in. This coastline city has been featured in everything from Grand Theft Auto: Vice City to Scarface .
4. Race Point Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
At the far end of Cape Cod in Provincetown, Race Point Beach has open views and powerful surf. It’s one of the few Atlantic beaches where you can stand on sand and possibly spot a whale in the distance.
You have easy access to Province Lands Bike Trail and historic lighthouses like Race Point Light. The water stays on the colder side, topping out around 68°F (20°C) in summer. Sunsets here are west-facing and epic.
5. Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Hilton Head keeps has 12 miles of wide beaches and some of the softest sand on the East Coast. Early risers bike the beach at sunrise with dolphins frequently rolling just offshore.
Wildlife sightings are regular (yes, even gators), and the water warms up by early summer without feeling like bathwater. Rentals for paddleboards and kayaks are everywhere, and there’s space to spread out, even on holiday weekends.
Top Beaches on the West Coast
The Pacific coast is more dramatic, with cliffs and surf breaks that draw sportsmen from around the world. Beaches here, especially in California and Oregon, often access to real city life just inland from the shore. You’re more likely to find fog and cooler temps, but also unforgettable views and iconic coastal drives.
6. Zuma Beach, Malibu, California
Zuma Beach, one of Los Angeles County’s largest beaches, is massive at nearly two miles along the Pacific Coast Highway. The waves break hard enough for surfing but stay beginner-friendly near Tower 9, and lifeguards are on duty all day.
Grab tacos from nearby Malibu Seafood and eat them on the hood of your car. The water’s colder than it looks, but on clear days you’ll get views straight out to Catalina Island.
7. Cannon Beach, Oregon
Cannon Beach has Haystack Rock, a 235-foot sea stack rising straight from the sand, and that alone puts it on most people’s bucket lists. The beach itself stretches for miles, perfect for walking or flying kites in the heavy coastal wind.
Summer mornings often start foggy, but the mist burns off to reveal tide pools full of starfish and anemones. It’s not big, but it’s wild, and the Pacific never warms up here, so wetsuits are a must if you’re surfing or braving the water.
8. McWay Falls, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, California
Tucked along a sharp bend of Highway 1 in Big Sur, McWay Falls has a 80-foot waterfall drops straight from the cliffside onto a sandy cove that’s totally untouched by footprints. The beach is off-limits to preserve its natural state, which is part of why it still looks like a real-life postcard.
The short Overlook Trail is less than half a mile and leads you straight to a jaw-drop view of the falls framed by Monterey cypress trees and turquoise surf. Time it around golden hour and the lighting is insanely beautiful. There’s no swimming or beach access here, but it’s so beautiful it can’t be left off this list.
9. Ruby Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington
Ruby Beach doesn’t actually have red sand. The name comes from tiny garnet particles that sometimes show up in the tidepools. What it does have is stacks of driftwood, massive sea stacks, and fog that rolls in almost everyday.
Located within Olympic National Park, the beach is easy to access via a short trail from the parking lot. Low tide exposes tidepools filled with starfish and urchins, and it’s one of the most popular stops along Highway 101. The Pacific here is cold year-round, but it’s also a photographer’s dream.
Best Beaches on the Gulf Coast
Known for warm waters and powder-soft white sand, the Gulf Coast is the spot for low-key beach days and easy swimming. From Florida’s Panhandle to Texas, these beaches lean more relaxed.
10. Crystal Sands Beach, Destin, Florida
The sand at Crystal Sands Beach is so white it looks fake, like someone dumped sugar all over the shore. The sand is made almost entirely of Appalachian quartz, so it’s blindingly white, soft as flour, and cool even under a midday sun. The water, usually a shade of neon teal, stays warm for swimming well into fall.
Located along the Gulf of Mexico, Crystal Sands is one of the less chaotic areas along Destin’s coastline, but it still has quick access to restaurants and rental shops. You can walk straight in from the parking lot and be in the water within five minutes.
11. Malaquite Beach, Padre Island, Texas
Malaquite Beach, part of Padre Island National Seashore, us a 70-mile stretch of undeveloped coastline in East Texas, and most of it is still wild. There are no high-rises here, just dunes an sea turtles. You can camp directly on the sand and fall asleep to nothing but wind and waves.
The beach is drive-in friendly, but you’ll want a 4×4 vehicle if you’re going past the first few miles. The Malaquite Visitor Center has restrooms and outdoor showers, but otherwise it’s bring-everything-you-need and leave-no-trace.
12. Siesta Key Beach, Sarasota, Florida
The sand at Siesta Key is 99% quartz and cooler underfoot than you’d think possible, even in peak summer. It’s wide, powdery, and spreads out into a calm, shallow surf zone that stays warm from spring through late fall. Lifeguards are on duty, the volleyball courts stay busy, and the drum circle on Sunday nights is a whole event.
Facilities are modern and well-kept. This Florida destination didn’t get voted best beach in the country more than once for nothing. Just over the bridge from Sarasota, it’s accessible without losing that laid-back island vibe.
13. Grayton Beach State Park, Florida
Grayton doesn’t fit the Florida stereotype. It’s a state park, so it’s quieter and more protected than neighboring beaches like Seaside, but still just a short bike ride away. The sand is soft and bright, and the water here usually hits that perfect shade of emerald green.
You can paddle in Western Lake or hike a trail through shady dunes without ever losing sight of the water. Campsites and cabins book early, and there’s zero high-rise buildup and no loud boardwalk.
Hawaii’s Most Beautiful Beaches
Hawaiian beaches stand out for their variety, from black sand, golden coves, and reefs just offshore for easy snorkeling. With warm water year-round and scenery that’s hard to beat, each island brings something different.
14. Sunset Beach, Oahu
Sunset Beach earns its name. Located on Oahu’s North Shore, this place transforms throughout the year, from chill and swimmable in summer to legendary for massive waves in winter.
July is the calm season, which means clear snorkeling, easy swimming, and long beach walks with not much in the way. You’re close to Shark’s Cove for snorkeling and Ehukai Pillbox Trail for a quick hike with panoramic views.
15. Hapuna Beach, Big Island
This is Hawaii’s textbook-perfect destination. Hapuna is wide, walkable, and shaped like a gentle crescent, all golden sand and calm surf in the summer months. It’s one of the few Big Island beaches that doesn’t require reef shoes or a long hike to reach, and the visibility in the water can go beyond 60 feet.
The waves stay mellow enough for swimming and bodyboarding most of the summer, with lifeguards on duty just in case. There’s even a short cliffside hike over to Mauna Kea Beach if you want a change of view.
16. Napili Bay, Maui
Napili Bay is tucked between larger resorts in West Maui, but it’s managed to keep its chill vibe thanks to older low-rise buildings and the absence of major crowds. The water here is consistently calm in July. You’ll see green sea turtles near the rocky ends of the bay and fish darting through the reef right offshore.
The beach itself is narrow but clean, and most visitors are quiet couples or families who’ve been coming for years.
17. Waiʻānapanapa Black Sand Beach, Maui, Hawaii
The sand at Waiʻānapanapa is jet-dark, formed from crushed lava rock, and it crunches underfoot like no other beach on this list. Set within Waiʻānapanapa State Park along the Road to Hana, this beach is surrounded by sea cliffs, lava tubes, and a small cave you can explore at low tide.
The water color contrasts against the sand in a way that feels straight-up surreal and the scenery looks even better with a bit of cloud cover. You’ll need advance reservations to visit now, and the park limits daily entry.
Best Freshwater Beach Destinations
Freshwater beaches around the Great Lakes, can be surprisingly expansive, with wide sandy areas and no salt or sharks to worry about. Places like Michigan and Minnesota have clear water for beach days that feel far removed from ocean coasts.
18. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
It looks like the ocean, but it’s Lake Michigan. Sleeping Bear has 450-foot bluffs that drop straight to turquoise water. The views from the top of the Dune Climb or Empire Bluff Trail are some of the best in the Midwest, period.
On calm days, the lake stays glassy and swimmable. On windy days, it feels like you’re in the Pacific Northwest. You can walk for miles along the beach without seeing another person, or paddle the Crystal River for a lazy water route straight into the lake. There’s no salt, no sharks, and the sand is just as soft. It’s consistently ranked among the best freshwater beaches in the world.
19. Bear Lake, Idaho/Utah Border
Straddling the border of Idaho and Utah, Bear Lake has earned its nickname as the “Caribbean of the Rockies”. The water here glows an almost-electric shade of turquoise thanks to calcium carbonate deposits, and it looks completely out of place in the middle of high desert terrain.
The lake covers about 109 square miles to go paddleboarding, boating, and jet skiing. The Utah side, especially around Garden City, has rental shops, public beaches, and famous raspberry shakes. The North Beach area in Idaho is a little quieter and more nature-focused.
20. Sand Harbor, Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Tucked along Tahoe’s east shore, Sand Harbor is known for massive boulders, insanely clear water, and that bright alpine sun that makes everything look even better in person. Visibility can reach 70 feet on calm days. You can rent kayaks or paddleboards right on the beach, or head to the southern edge for cliff-jumping spots that locals love.
The sand is soft, the air smells like pine, and the mountains in the background could be snow-capped well into summer. In peak season, parking lot fills by mid-morning in July, and once it’s full, it’s full. But if you make it in, you’ve got access to one of the most beautiful freshwater spots in the country.
Catherine, a seasoned travel writer, has lived in 4 different states and explored 36 states and 28 national parks. After spending two years embracing van life, she's now dedicated to sharing her vast knowledge of day trips across America. Catherine's other works has been referenced in major publications like MSN, Self, and TripSavvy.
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