The 14 Best U.S. Beaches

Planning a beach vacation? You don’t have to travel the world to find soft white sand, beautiful water, picturesque coastlines, and area attractions. There are many wonderful beaches to discover in the U.S. So grab your bathing suit and jump in! Here’s our top 14 U.S. beaches.

Hapuna Beach State Park, Hawaii

Hawaii is home to many gorgeous beaches. Hapuna beach is no exception. This half-mile beach is located on the Big Island of Hawaii and is a wonderful family beach. Its soft white sand is warmed by the sun on most days. Lifeguards are staffed year-round and the water has a shore break which makes it great for kids to play in. There is a shaded area by the beach as well. The north and south ends are great areas for snorkeling.

Manele Bay, Hawaii

At Manele Bay, located on the island of Lanai, you’ll find amazing kayaking, swimming, and snorkeling. Its water is a warm, 70 degrees and the reef is shallow which makes it great for kids. It is a marine preserve of colorful fish and the seafloor is mostly sand and gravel. Smooth sand and grass lawns make this beach a wonderful place to relax and picnic.  

Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Cape Cod and the islands of Massachusetts host some wonderful beaches. The Coast Guard Beach makes our list because of its picturesque views of the bay. This beach has beautifully soft white sand and rolling sand dunes and seagrass. You also are bound to spot seals playing along its shores. 

Jetties Beach, Nantucket, Massachusetts

Nantucket, an island off the shores of Massachusetts, has Jetties Beach with bright blue, calm waters. Rent a sailboat or windsurf at this destination. There is a convenient beach-side restaurant and a playground nearby. A former whaling village, Nantucket is a charming backdrop to this beach.

Cape May, New Jersey

In the southernmost point of the shore, you’ll find Cape May beach in New Jersey. This beach is backdropped with charming Victorian houses. Take a bike ride on the boardwalk here. The beach offers great swimming and relaxation and maybe even sightings of dolphins. 

Coopers Beach, New York

While in Long Island, New York, this beach in the summer feels like you are on a Caribbean vacation. Coopers Beach has wide sand and pristine waters. Enjoy body surfing and swimming in the rolling waves of this beach. The area mansions and dunes make for a scenic backdrop. 

Virginia Beach, Virginia

This family-friendly destination on the east coast in Virginia makes our list of beaches to visit. It has miles of soft sand and good waves to bodysurf. Enjoy the boardwalk for strolling or biking. The area has lots of eateries, shops, and museums.

Lighthouse Beach, Outer Banks, North Carolina

This pretty beach in the popular Outer Banks has amazing surfing because of the large number of fish that expend energy toward the coast. The beach is staffed with lifeguards which makes for a great family beach. And its coastline is ever-changing depending on the tide. 

Coligny Beach, South Carolina

This beach in South Carolina is unique as it has hard-packed sand which is great for running or bike rides on the beach. It is a wide, clean, and serene beach, great for sitting in a chair with a good book. This beach is great for families too as it is easy to access and has lots of local shops and restaurants.  

Grayton Beach State Park, Florida Panhandle

Located in northwest Florida, Grayton Beach is close to the Gulf of Mexico. This paradise of a beach has a wide expanse of fine sand and its water is a mix of salt and freshwater. Wildlife here is abundant including the endangered species, the Gopher Tortoise.

Caladesi Island State Park, Florida

Only accessible by boat, Caladesi Island State Park provided a secluded beach experience in Florida. Take the ferry from Honeymoon Island and enjoy swimming, discovering shells, kayaking, and spotting animals like dolphins and tortoises.

Rialto Beach, Washington

Massive rocks line the coast of this beautiful beach in Washington where you can explore hidden caves. Large waves crash into a beach filled with driftwood. Whales, otters, and seals are all regular visitors as well.

Coronado Beach, California

This beach is located in San Diego and is a fun family destination. Its sand is golden in color due to its high mineral content. The beach is set in front of the iconic Hotel del Coronado with its victorian architecture and red roof. It’s a very flat beach which makes for great walking and swimming. Local shops and restaurants make this a top beach to discover.

South State Beach, California

This Californian beach in Carlsbad, offers hiking, swimming, fishing, and even overnight camping. Located on one of the rugged coasts of California, this remote beach is one of the most natural and beautiful.

Did your favorite beach make our list?