Top 10
By
Nikki Erlick
You don’t need to fly to the Maldivesor the Caribbeanto enjoy a sun-soaked holiday on a breathtaking beach. The U.S. coasts offer postcard-perfect stretches of powdery white sand and shimmering waves that make for an easy beach getaway on a long summer weekend. Head to one of these 10 destinations to discover some of the country’s most spectacular sandy shores that are only a quick flight or a short drive away.
Contact Indagare for assistance planning a trip to one of the best beaches in the U.S.
Best Beaches in the USA
Montauk
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="620"]
Montauk, New York. Courtesy Bridget Shevlin[/caption]
At the easternmost tip of Long Island, Montauk’s beaches feel less developed compared to the rest of the Hamptons, promising a rustic and relaxed escape against the backdrop of the village’s 70-foot bluffs. From Kirk Park Beach, nearest to town, all the way to Ditch Plains, a popular surfing spot thanks to its unusually long break, Montauk offers a laidback vibe and plenty of seaside eateries to complement your beach time.
Makena State Park on Maui
Hawaii is home to many of the best beaches in the US, but Makena Beach State Park, at the south end ofWailea, is a wild, seemingly endless expanse of golden sand and turquoise water that feels more secluded than its crowded neighbors. One of Maui’s largest beaches (stretching 1.5 miles and measuring as wide as 100 feet in places), this “Big Beach” is favored by locals, who bring picnic lunches or buy snacks from one of the food trucks at the entrance.
Waimanalo Bay on Oahu
Waimanalo Beach. Photo by Tor Johnson courtesy Hawaii Tourism Authority
Centuries ago, the island of Oahu served as the private playground of Hawaiian royalty, and the beach at Waimanalo Bay still feels reminiscent of that era. Less touristed than many of Hawaii’s top beaches, this picture-perfect pocket of soft white sand and turquoise waves allows travelers to escape the buzz of Honolulu and retreat to a quiet corner of southeastern Oahu.
Acadia National Park
This national park in Maine is known for its 120 miles of well-maintained hiking and biking trails with spectacular vistas of Mount Desert Island, Bar Harbor and the Schoodic Peninsula, but its small Sand Beach is a lesser-known gem. While most beaches have views of palm trees or sand dunes, this New England inlet is uniquely tucked between the mountains and the rocky shores that characterize this picturesque park.
Related: Spotlight on Summer Family Travel
Miami
The seven-square-mile Miami Beachin Florida is one of America’s most famous oceanfront destinations—and with good reason. With soft white sand and hip hotels at the ocean’s edge (including the sumptuous Four Seasons Surf Club and the trendy Miami Beach EDITION), there’s a slice of sand for every type of traveler, from vacationing families to low-key couples to late-night revelers.
Malibu
The beaches of Venice and Santa Monica are nice for biking or walking, but travelers inCaliforniacraving some genuine sunbathing should head to Malibu. Surfrider Beach has built-in entertainment thanks to the surfers, while Zuma Beach, with its wide sands and clean water, gained fame as a frequent backdrop for Baywatch. Topanga State Beach also offers a less crowded option.
Kiawah Island
Located less than an hour’s drive from the charming city of Charleston, South Carolina, this barrier island on the Atlantic coast features ten miles of beachfront, including the public Beachwalker County Park, a well-kept and peaceful expanse of sand, nestled between a river and the ocean.
Related: Zika-Free Beach Destinations
La Jolla
La Jolla Beach. Courtesy Indagare's Ali Malecka
San Diego’s beachside community is known for its surfing culture—the reefs create surfable swells from Windansea Beach to La Jolla Shores—but non-surfers will also appreciate the chaparral bluffs and the walk along the coastline, which passes by the Children’s Pool, a small beach that is home to more than 200 seals, as well as La Jolla Underwater Park, a 6,000-acre marine reserve, where travelers can kayak and scuba dive among a variety of fish species.
Related: The World's Best Beach Clubs
Nantucket
UnlikeMartha’s Vineyard, where many of the most beautiful beaches are private, Nantucket has miles of sandy public beaches. Families love Jetties and Children’s beaches, which have playgrounds and a gentle surf, while Surfside, with its wild waves and wide stretches of sand, is more of a scene, especially during the high season. Two additional favorites are Dionis Beach, which has calm waters and dunes, and the stretch of Cisco Beach known asLadies Beach, on the southwestern shore.
The Outer Banks of North Carolina
This narrow chain of islands has miles of uncrowded beaches and isolated stretches of raw natural beauty. A handful of beaches on the Outer Banks are even home to roaming herds of wild horses (believed to be the descendants of shipwrecked Spanish Mustangs from the late-15th century). Cape Hatteras, a protected national seashore and a popular nesting spot for sea turtles, is particularly well-preserved and undeveloped.
Related: Lesser-Known Beach RetreatsContact Indagare for assistance planning a trip to one of the best beaches in the U.S.
Published onMarch 10, 2021
Plan Your Trip With Us
We only feature hotels that we can vouch for first-hand. At many of them, Indagare members receive special amenities.
Get In Touch
