This little beach earned the top spot of the calmest beaches in North America (2024)

Kathleen WongUSA TODAY

One destination is always on trend: the beach.

People ready to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life are looking to discover tranquility along a picturesque beach. After visiting family and friends, a beach vacation is the second-most popular type of leisure trip Americans want to take in 2024. For multigenerational travel, it’s the top choice.

There are a slew of health benefits to spending uninterrupted time by the ocean. Research indicates that being in such a stunning natural environment can reduce stress and anxiety, boost self-esteem and enhance mood.

While watching crashing waves is thrilling, there's something particularly relaxing about being near gentle waters everyone can enjoy. Because of natural geography like reefs and bays, some beaches are calmer than others.

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The good news is Americans don’t have to travel too far to enjoy a beach with gentle, swimmable waters. There are plenty across Hawaii and the Caribbean and even on the continental U.S. coasts, like Lewes Beach in Delaware and Cape Charles Beach in Virginia.

In October, Hawaii vacation resource HawaiianIslands.com analyzed more than 1.5 million English-written TripAdvisor reviews on the most popular beaches mentioning “calm waters” to come up with a list of the beaches with the calmest waters in North America.

“While it’s notable that Hawaiian beaches dominate the U.S. rankings for having the calmest waters, we can also see that beaches scattered throughout the Americas dominate on a global level,” Brittany Betts, Marketing Manager at HawaiianIslands.com, told USA TODAY. “This may be surprising to anyone who isn’t familiar with the many beaches on offer in the Americas.”

Check out the list below to discover beaches with the most serene waters accessible to all and start planning your next beach vacation.

Baby Beach in Maui, Hawaii

Scoring the top spot for the calmest beach in the world is the aptly named Baby Beach in Maui, with 27.82% of its reviews mentioning calm waters. An offshore reef protects this lagoon along the western shore of the Hawaiian island. “Baby Beach is an ideal beach for families with toddlers,” Betts said. “Since the waters are so calm and shallow, it provides the perfect opportunity for children to splash around in the ocean.”

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Ten Bay Beach in Eleuthera, Bahamas

With turquoise waters and a shallow sandy bottom, Ten Bay Beach in the Bahamas earned the spot for second-calmest beach in North America. The wide stretch of beach is beloved by families with little ones who want to frolic in the gentle waters. At low tide, people at the beach can walk far into the ocean and wander along exposed sandbars.

Browne’s Beach in Bridgetown, Barbados

This renowned half-mile expanse of white sand stands as one of Barbados' top beaches, drawing crowds with its tranquil, crystal-clear waters. In more than 20% of the beach’s TripAdvisor reviews, beachgoers highlighted its calm waters. Browne's Beach is celebrated for its natural beauty and historical significance, boasting landmarks like the Barbados Yacht Club and the Barbados Cruising Club in its vicinity.

Bloody Bay in Negril, Jamaica

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Jamaica’s Bloody Bay was where whalers would butcher their catch in the 19th century. The beach is quite different now: It’s a popular place for tourists to relax and a quieter beach than the nearby iconic Seven Mile Beach. The bay is protected by a reef, which makes it a calm yet vibrant place for snorkeling.

Morne Rouge in Grenada

A local favorite, Morne Rouge is a popular spot for beach enthusiasts to spend the day. Visitors can rent loungers and umbrellas and patronize the numerous beach bars along the sand or just post up under the fringe of trees that offer a shady respite. According to almost 19% of TripAdvisor reviews, the waters are notably calm and shallow. That’s because of the geography of the natural bay and the nearby hills blocking wind.

Playa Las Ballenas in Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic

Sitting on the western tip of the Dominican Republic, Playa Las Ballenas is a picturesque beach named after three rocky islets that resemble humpback whales. Renowned for its wide stretch of sand, the beach has ample room for visitors to spread out and enjoy the sun, and its tranquil waters invite swimmers of all abilities.

Carlisle Bay in Bridgetown, Barbados

A natural harbor, Carlisle Bay is a 10-minute walk from the center of Bridgetown, the capital of Barbados (and a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Children and families can splash in the beach’s gentle waters, and the more adventurous can snorkel or dive out to the bay’s six shipwrecks or catch a glimpse of a passing turtle.

Mauna Kea Beach on Hawaii Island, Hawaii

Fronting the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel on Hawaii Island, Mauna Kea Beach is ideal for visitors to peacefully enjoy the Pacific Ocean. With its calm and clear conditions, according to 14% of its TripAdvisor reviews, it's an ideal destination for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. Also known as Kaunaoa Beach, the bay is protected from strong currents and waves by an offshore reef. The sloping sand also causes waves to dissipate before they reach the shore.

Playa Biesanz in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

After a short hike through the jungle, visitors will reach the hidden Playa Biesanz. Though the beach itself is small, its soft golden sands and clear waters provide the perfect setting for sunbathing, swimming and snorkeling. The surrounding cliffs and trees transform the cove into a peaceful oasis.

Playa La Entrega in Oaxaca, Mexico

Situated along the Oaxacan coastline in a protected bay, Playa La Entrega offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and adventure. Translating to “the delivery” in English, the beach was once a delivery point for goods during colonial times. It’s a popular place to snorkel along coral reefs teeming with marine life, reefs that also help reduce any rough wave energy. Visitors can rent snorkel gear or buy fresh fruit from local vendors.

Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. You can reach her at kwong@usatoday.com.

This little beach earned the top spot of the calmest beaches in North America (2024)

FAQs

This little beach earned the top spot of the calmest beaches in North America? ›

Baby Beach in Maui, Hawaii

What is the most calm beach in the US? ›

In first place both worldwide and in the US was Baby Beach in Maui, Hawaii with 27.82% of all reviews mentioning its calm waters.

What beach has the calmest waves? ›

Baby Beach in Maui, Hawaii

Scoring the top spot for the calmest beach in the world is the aptly named Baby Beach in Maui, with 27.82% of its reviews mentioning calm waters. An offshore reef protects this lagoon along the western shore of the Hawaiian island.

What is America's number one beach? ›

That's according to the 2023 list of best US beaches released in May by “Dr. Beach,” aka coastal scientist Stephen Leatherman. Florida's St. George Island State Park earns the top slot.

Where in the US is like the Caribbean? ›

Caladesi Island, Florida

Caladesi, a breathtaking island, is one of the places in the US that feel like the Caribbean, making it a must-visit for the ultimate tropical vacation experience in Florida. Its warm weather, impressive island landscape, and beaches with some of the clearest waters in the country.

Where is the calmest sea? ›

The equatorial part of the ocean is called as doldrum. There is no wind flow. So that is the calmest place in the world ocean. Considering the Pacific ocean covers more equatorial region compared to the other oceans, it can be said as the calmest ocean.

What time is the beach the calmest? ›

For swimmers, the water is safest during a slack tide, during which the water moves very little. A slack tide happens in the hour preceding or following a high or low tide. Swimmers will also enjoy waves with shorter intervals, which are calmer and less dangerous.

What beach in Florida has no waves? ›

Calusa Beach, Big Pine Key

With gentle or nonexistent waves, this beach in the Florida Keys is one of the best spots in the state for littles. It's shallow, and fun snorkeling opportunities happen right off the sand, making this stretch a great way to spend a relaxing family afternoon.

What is the most beautiful beach in the world in 2024? ›

According to the experts, the top beach in the entire world is located in a U.S. territory: Trunk Bay in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Meanwhile, three U.S. beaches made the list further down: Lanikai Beach in Hawaii at number 14, Kapalua Bay Beach in Hawaii at number 40 and Henderson Beach in Florida at number 44.

What is the cleanest beach in the United States? ›

Schoolhouse Beach in Wisconsin Named the Clearest Water in America.

What beach has pink sand? ›

Bermuda is perhaps one of the most famous spots in the world for pink sand. The wide sweep of Horseshoe Bay on the south coast won't disappoint. The sand here is the palest shade of pinkish-gold, the sea aquamarine, and the beach framed by rocky headlands at either end and backed by dense scrub.

What US state has the best beaches? ›

Hawaii is home to many of the best beaches in the US, but Makena Beach State Park, at the south end of Wailea, is a wild, seemingly endless expanse of golden sand and turquoise water that feels more secluded than its crowded neighbors.

Which beach has no waves? ›

The Rameswaram Sea:

In Rameswaram island, the only sea which is silent is Agni theertham sea, whereas the Dhanushkodi sea, kunthukal beach, Pamban sea and all other seas have tidal waves. Why Agni theertham Sea is so silent and has very little water ripples. There's is mythical story related with this no wave theory.

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