North America's Top 50+ Beaches
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Cowell Beach // USA
loboford220 Cowell Beach is located on the westside of Santa Cruz's wood-built municipal wharf in the downtown district. Stretching from the wharf to the cliffs overlooked by West Cliff Drive, this broad sweep of golden sand is popular for a number of reasons.
Beyond the delights of its sands, it is close to the amusements of the boardwalk, and is also popular… read more »
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Dockweiler State Beach // USA
Alistair McMillan This vast beach, which sits just three miles away from Los Angeles' international airport is a near-four mile stretch of soft golden sand on California's south east coast.
Its proximity to the airport makes it a top spot for seeing the aeroplanes take off, but there's a lot more to this beach than plane spotting.
Among the many amenities here, you'll… read more »
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Redondo Beach State Park // USA
ChildofMidnight This 1.5 mile-long stretch of shoreline is jam-packed with activities and facilities, which keep visitors coming back time and time again.
At the far north of the beach you'll find the magnificent pier. It's a great place for a spot of fishing, and there are plenty of bars, shops and restaurants here too, with plenty of variety on the menus. Naturally… read more »
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Bowling Ball Beach // USA
Brocken Inaglory The intriguing name of this California beach comes from the rounded boulders up to a metre in diameter which sit on its cliff-lined sands. Part of Schooner Gulch State Beach, Bowling Ball Beach lies a short distance south of Point Arena along Highway One. To reach it from the highway, you need to take the right-hand trail.
The unusual geological phenomenon… read more »
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Montara State Beach // USA
Vadim Manuylov Located a little over 30 kilometres south of San Francisco, west of Highway 1 and nestled between bounding low hills, this beach boasts a sandy shore and high bluffs. Montara Mountain, also known as McNee Ranch, looms above to the east.
Beachgoers here can enjoy basking in the sun and recharging their batteries. People also flock here to take a… read more »
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Dauphin Beach // USA
Michael McCarthy Dauphin Island, a barrier island located off the coast of Mobile, Alabama, makes up nearly a half of the states diminutive coastline. However, size isn't everything and the island is home to Dauphin Beach, one of the Gulf coast's finest.
This affluent island has a rich history that dates back to 1699 when it was first inhabited by a French settler.… read more »
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Cocoa Beach // USA
Rusty Clark This six-mile long stretch of biscuit-coloured sand sits at the heart of Florida's Space Coast. It's well known for its watersports scene, with surfers flocking from far and wide to ride the waves here - it's even where 11-time surfing world champion Kelly Slater learned his craft.
Cocoa Beach is also home to the world's biggest surf shop, Ron Jon's and… read more »
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Crandon Beach // USA
Paulkondratuk3194 Crandon Beach is part of Crandon Park, a former coconut plantation, in the middle of exclusive Key Biscayne barrier island. It is frequently listed as one of the Top 10 Beaches in the USA.
The white sandy beach is truly idyllic, facing east and protected from the rough surf by an offshore sandbar. This allows the Atlantic waves to break gently… read more »
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Anne's Beach // USA
Ved Ivanov Located at Lower Matecumbe Key, Anne's Beach can be found in the village of Islamorada. Named for a local environmentalist called Anne Eaton after her death in 1992, its stretch of white sand provides a secluded spot to sunbath or enjoy some time in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
Surrounded by native planting, the immediate entrance into the… read more »
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New Smyrna Beach // USA
© Ajr24g You'll find the pearl-white sands of New Smyrna Beach just 15 miles south of the better known Daytona Beach, on Florida's East Coast.
The 17-mile strip of sand is a big hit with surfers, thanks to its plentiful wave breaks, with both amateurs and experts taking to the waters here.
In fact, it's been named as one of the top… read more »
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Daytona Beach // USA
© Paul Brennan This waterfront city on Florida's Fun Coast is probably best known for its international speedway circuit, where NASCAR'S most famous race, the Daytona 500, takes place every year.
But for beach fans, it's the 23 mile stretch of soft white sands that keeps them coming back. At low tide, the shoreline expands to a width of nearly 500ft, so there's plenty… read more »
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Second Beach // USA
© Roger Mosley Second Beach, located near La Push on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, is a stunning coastal destination known for its dramatic sea stacks, often wild seas and rugged natural beauty. Part of Olympic National Park, the beach is accessed via a short but scenic hike through lush coastal rainforest. Moss-draped trees and ferns create an almost mystical atmosphere before opening up to… read more »
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Pensacola Beach // USA
© Fede Casanova Stretching for several miles along the state's Gulf of Mexico coastline, Pensacola Beach forms the main proportion of Santa Rosa Island. A barrier island approximately 40 miles in length but just a couple of hundred yards wide, it can be subdivided into a number of different beaches and conservation areas. It is connected by road bridges to mainland Florida at… read more »
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Brandons Beach // The Caribbean
Barry haynes Located just outside the Barbadian capital, Bridgetown, Brandons Beach is a peaceful stretch of soft white sand. With calm, clear waters make it is ideal for swimming, and the gentle waves are great for beginner paddleboarders or those looking to relax in the sea. The beach is spacious enough that there is usually a quiet spot, even on busier days.
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Harrismith Beach // The Caribbean
Jim.Milbourne Running towards a rocky promontory, Harrismith Beach (or Harry Smith's Beach) is one of the quieter stretches of sand that can be found in south-eastern Barbados. It's sloping near-white sands are narrow compared to its near neighbours such as the better-known Bottom Bay. However, its position with a blend of coconut palms and local vegetation to one side and… read more »
