17 Best Beaches on the East Coast You’ll Want to Gatekeep
Growing up in New Jersey, I heard every possible joke about the Jersey Shore. After our long, chilly winters, I understand why many of the more mainstream beaches are packed wall-to-wall with people every summer weekend. But anyone who’s actually spent time on the East Coast knows the beach scene is varied and beautiful.
These 17 spots aren’t the obvious picks and are just far enough off the radar that locals might not be thrilled we’re naming them. So, if you’re tired of battling for parking at the same overhyped shoreline, these best beaches on the East Coast are exactly the places you’ll want to keep to yourself.
1. Jekyll Island, Georgia
Jekyll Island is one of Georgia’s four Golden Isles, with ten miles of shoreline. Once an exclusive retreat for the Rockefellers and Vanderbilts, the island is now part of the Jekyll Island State Park Authority, which limits commercial development for preservation purposes.
Driftwood Beach is the island’s crown jewel, regularly listed in wedding magazines as one of the top proposal spots in the South. It is filled with centuries-old fallen trees that have been bleached by salt and wind. For swimming, head to Great Dunes Beach Park or St. Andrews Beach, a quieter spot where dolphins are frequently seen offshore.
The Jekyll Island Historic District is worth visiting for its mansion tours and shady oak-lined walks.
2. Cumberland Island, Georgia
Cumberland Island is Georgia’s largest barrier island, stretching 18 miles along the Atlantic and home to over 9,800 acres of protected wilderness. This place is only accessible by a 45-minute ferry from St. Marys, and once you land, it’s all dirt paths, dunes, and live oak canopies draped in Spanish moss.
The main beach access at Sea Camp has miles of unspoiled shoreline where wild horses might roam near the tide line. You can visit Dungeness Ruins, the remains of a Carnegie mansion, and hike trails like River Trail and Parsons Trail, which cut through maritime forest and salt marsh.
There’s no snack bar, no cars, no hotels. Just campsites, history, and one of the quietest coastlines in the country. Only 300 visitors are allowed on the island per day, so book early.
3. Ocracoke Island, North Carolina
Ocracoke is another North Carolina beauty accessible only by ferry, private boat, or plane. The island is 16 miles long and home to some of the most secluded beaches on the East Coast.
Ocracoke Village is compact and walkable, with spots like Ocracoke Coffee Company and Zillie’s Island Pantry. But the real draw is Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach, part of Cape Hatteras National Seashore, consistently ranked among the best beaches in the US. The beach is wide, soft, and backed by dunes, with barely a hotel or condo in sight.
Rent a bike or golf cart to get around. There’s also off-road vehicle access to more remote shoreline with a permit.
4. Assateague Island, Maryland and Virginia
Assateague is a barrier island that straddles two states and supports a free-roaming population of about 150 wild horses. Split between Assateague Island National Seashore (Maryland side) and Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (Virginia side), this island is best known for beaches that feel untouched by civilization.
On the Maryland side, North Ocean Beach has lifeguards, parking, and restrooms, while South Ocean Beach is more remote and great for campers. The Virginia side limits access to preserve wildlife but still offers clean beaches and lighthouse views.
You can kayak through salt marshes, hike trails like the Life of the Marsh Trail, and, in late July, watch the Pony Swim. In this local event, ponies swim across the channel during their annual round-up.
5. Block Island, Rhode Island
Just 13 miles south of the Rhode Island coast, Block Island is accessible via a one-hour ferry from Point Judith or a faster 30-minute high-speed ferry from Newport or New London. The Nature Conservancy manages over 17 miles of beaches and 28 miles of walking trails on Block Island, which it considers one of the “Last Great Places” on Earth.
Head to Mohegan Bluffs, where a 141-step wooden staircase leads to a secluded beach beneath 200-foot cliffs. Mansion Beach is another favorite, known for fewer crowds and bigger surf.
The island’s small downtown near Old Harbor has restaurants and mopeds for rent.
6. Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina
Cape Lookout extends across 56 miles of undeveloped barrier islands in the southern Outer Banks. It is only reachable by boat, which keeps the traffic low and the experience wild.
The main landmark here is the Cape Lookout Lighthouse, a 163-foot tall tower with a black-and-white diamond pattern you can climb from May through September. The surrounding seashore includes Shackleford Banks, known for its wild horses, and Great Island Cabin Camp, where you can stay overnight in rustic beachside cabins.
There are no paved roads and no shops. Kayaking, fishing, and shelling are popular, and the skies fill with migrating birds in fall.
7. Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts
Established by President JFK and visited by more than 4 million people a year, Cape Cod expands across 40 miles of the Outer Cape. Two of the most iconic spots are Coast Guard Beach, often ranked among the best beaches in America, and Race Point Beach, where the whale sightings come early in the season.
Marconi Beach has high sand cliffs, while Herring Cove Beach, near Provincetown, is popular for calm surf and LGBTQ+ friendly vibes.
Beyond the beach are walking and biking trails like the Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Trail and the Province Lands Trail. Seals are often spotted right offshore, so shark sightings are uncommon.
8. Watch Hill Beach, Rhode Island
Watch Hill Beach mix upscale New England style and Atlantic relaxation. Located in Westerly, this beach is adjacent to Napatree Point Conservation Area, a long spit of protected barrier beach and dune ecosystem. The water is calm and clean, with views toward Montauk on clear days.
Watch Hill itself is a small village with an old-school carousel from 1883, boutique shops, and some very polished waterfront real estate, including the blufftop mansion famously owned by Taylor Swift.
For day visitors, there’s limited public beach access at Larkin Square, but the best experience comes from walking out to Napatree and avoiding the crowds. There are no concessions on the point, so pack everything you need.
9. Nantucket, Massachusetts
Inspiring Herman Melville’s ‘Moby-Dick’, Nantucket was once the world’s whaling capital. Now, anyone who grew up on the East Coast knows its name for its elusive island status.
Nantucket is a small island about 30 miles from Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Its beaches have been ranked among the best in the world. The island is reachable by ferry from Hyannis or a short flight from Boston or NYC.
Surfside Beach is a favorite for its strong waves, while Madaket Beach is great for sunsets. The historic town center is cobblestone, lined with boutiques, bike rentals, and cafes. Off the sand, visit Brant Point Lighthouse or explore Sconset Bluff Walk for ocean views that pass right by some of the island’s most iconic cottages.
10. Hammocks Beach State Park, North Carolina
This coastal park near Swansboro is all about the experience of getting there. The main beach is located on Bear Island, which is accessible by a seasonal passenger ferry or by kayaking through marsh channels.
Once you land, it’s just three miles of undeveloped white sand and dunes stretching as far as you can walk. There are no permanent structures except for a bathhouse and a few picnic shelters. Primitive campsites are available by reservation if you want to sleep under the stars, and the beach is a popular stopover for loggerhead sea turtles during nesting season.
You can launch your kayak from the mainland visitor center or rent one nearby. It’s one of the only state parks where you can kayak to your own beachfront campsite.
11. Good Harbor Beach, Massachusetts
Good Harbor Beach famously vanishes at high tide, so if you plan to walk to Salt Island, time it right, or you’ll be swimming back. Located in Gloucester, this local favorite has powdery sand and steady surf.
The beach has lifeguards, restrooms, a snack shack, and seasonal surfboard and boogie board rentals. Parking is limited and requires an advance online reservation during summer weekends.
12. Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Just 25 miles southwest of Charleston, Kiawah Island is a barrier island with ten miles of uncrowded beachfront and tidal creeks. While much of the island is private and part of a gated resort community, Beachwalker Park at the island’s west end is open to the public.
Amenities include restrooms, seasonal lifeguards, outdoor showers, and beach chair rentals. Kiawah is also part of the ACE Basin, one of the largest undeveloped estuaries on the East Coast. It’s also one of the top-rated sea turtle nesting spots in the Carolinas, with over 400 nests recorded in a single season.
13. Fire Island, New York
Fire Island has been a safe haven for the LGBTQ+ community since the 1950s. Cherry Grove and The Pines are known for wild parties and even featured in American Horror Story.
Just a short ferry ride from Long Island, Fire Island is a world apart from the suburbs and city noise. Covering 31 miles long and barely half a mile wide, this barrier island has no roads or cars in most communities.
Ocean Beach is one of the most popular shorelines, with wide sandy stretches and a downtown filled with bars, restaurants, and local shops. For something quieter, Watch Hill and Sailors Haven are part of the Fire Island National Seashore, with boardwalks through protected dunes and access to Sunken Forest.
14. Coquina Beach, North Carolina
Coquina Beach gets its name from the tiny pastel-colored coquina clams that wash ashore and burrow back into the sand en masse. Located just south of Nags Head on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, this area is a North Carolina locals’ favorite that stays low-key even in high season.
There’s a large parking area, restrooms, outdoor showers, and picnic tables, but no commercial development. This beach is less crowded than the nearby Bodie Island Lighthouse, just a few miles north.
15. Crescent Beach, Florida
Crescent Beach is one of the last drivable beaches in Florida that hasn’t been swallowed by mega-development. Locals swear it has the softest sand in Northeast Florida, thanks to a unique blend of coquina and quartz that doesn’t scorch your feet in summer.
Located just south of St. Augustine on Anastasia Island, Crescent Beach is known for its wide, hard-packed sand and minimal development. Unlike busier spots nearby, this beach has free parking, easy access, and plenty of space to spread out, even on weekends.
The beach is named for its gentle curve along the coastline, and during low tide, it seems to double in size. You can still drive on parts of the beach with a vehicle access pass.
16. Folly Beach, South Carolina
Just 12 miles from one of America’s best beach cities, Folly Beach delivers a relaxed surf-town atmosphere with miles of wide beach outside of Charleston. The Washout is one of the top surf spots on the East Coast. The beach extends six miles, with Folly Beach County Park at the southern end offering parking, showers, and a quieter atmosphere.
Dolphins are often spotted playing just offshore, especially around sunset. If you’re into nature, the nearby Folly River and Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve have trails to go bird-watching on.
17. Wingaersheek Beach, Massachusetts
Tucked into the north shore of Gloucester, Wingaersheek Beach goes on for about half a mile along the Annisquam River and Ipswich Bay. When the tide goes out, tide pools appear, and the beach nearly doubles in size, revealing sandbars that lead toward nearby islands.
Parking is limited and restricted to residents on certain peak days. If you climb the granite rocks at the far end of the beach, you’ll get one of the best panoramic views of the bay.
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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