North America's Top 50+ Beaches

  • Menemsha Beach // USA

    Menemsha Beach
    N. Friedler

    Located on the exclusive island of Martha's Vineyard, Menemsha Beach is northeast of Menemsha Pond between Aquinnah and Chilmark. It is home to the local US Coastguard Station and featured in the filming of Spielberg's epic movie, Jaws.

    This public beach is one of the white sandy beaches that the island is known for. It overlooks the channel of ocean known… read more »

  • Carson Beach // USA

    Carson Beach
    Nhatchimai8

    South Boston's Carson Beach is one of the city’s most popular waterfront spots, with its wide sandy shoreline and views of Boston Harbor. Combined with its easy access from downtown and well-maintained facilities, it provides a convenient escape to the coast.

    The beach is ideal for swimming, thanks to ongoing water quality improvements, and lifeguards are on duty during the… read more »

  • Constitution Beach // USA

    Constitution Beach
    Kouign Amann

    Constitution Beach, located in East Boston, is a family-friendly urban beach known for soft sand, calm waters, and views over Boston Harbor. Unlike the more exposed coastal beaches of Massachusetts, this crescent-shaped shoreline is very well-protected, making it an ideal spot for swimming and wading. The gentle waves and lifeguard presence in the summer months make it a top pick… read more »

  • Half Moon Beach // USA

    Half Moon Beach
    At-Hand Guides

    This small, crescent-shaped cove is located within Gloucester’s historic Stage Fort Park. Tucked away between rocky outcrops and shaded by trees, this sheltered beach offers a quiet and scenic escape with calm waters and soft golden sand. Its natural curve creates an enclosed setting, making it a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking.

    Half Moon Beach is a great… read more »

  • Long Beach, Nahant // USA

    Long Beach, Nahant
    Kcboling

    Long Beach in Nahant is a good-sized stretch of sand offering a quiet coastal escape just to the north of Boston. This mile-long barrier beach, also known as just Nahant Beach, is part of Nahant Beach Reservation and is popular for walking, swimming, and sunbathing. Its proximity to the city makes it an accessible getaway while still feeling fairly remote… read more »

  • Playa Zicatela // Mexico

    Playa Zicatela
    lucico

    Playa Zicatela is the biggest and one of the best beaches in Puerto Escondido. It's easy to reach from the town with street parking nearby. The 3.5km long sandy beach is a popular surfing spot with plenty of wave action from the famous "Mexican Pipeline" at the northern end of the beach. This tubular wave can reach up to 20… read more »

  • Makapuu Beach Park // USA

    Makapuu Beach Park
    Daniel Ramirez

    Situated on the southeastern tip of Oahu, Makapu'u Beach is in the shadow of Makapu'u Point and the dramatic Lookout Point. The word Makapu'u means "bulging eye" and is thought to refer to a natural feature in the nearby Keanaokeakuapōloli Cave.

    Located about a mile east of Waimanalo Beach, the gently undulating beach has masses of golden sands in a… read more »

  • Sandy Beach // USA

    Sandy Beach
    JD Lasica

    Situated on the southeastern tip of Oahu island, Sandy Beach is a beautiful and remote spot that is far from the well-trodden tourist path.

    Thirty minutes by car from Waikiki, it is just beyond the Halona Blowhole and makes a dramatic first impression for those driving along the single track road on the lava cliffs from Koko Head Crater.… read more »

  • Diamond Head Beach // USA

    Diamond Head Beach
    Daniel Ramirez

    Just 2 miles southeast of famous Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head Beach is popular with beach lovers, surfers and windsurfers due to the ever-present white-crested swell that rolls in relentlessly. The surf breaks are about a quarter mile out to sea and there are multiple good spots to choose from.

    Quieter than many beaches on Oahu, Diamond Head Beach is… read more »

  • Kailua Beach // USA

    Kailua Beach
    Daniel Ramirez

    The turquoise blue waters of this beach are quite a sight to behold. And the soft white sand just melts under your feet as you walk to the water. The beach is surrounded by green mountains and lined with trees. Stretching along Oahu's west coast for two and a half miles you will never feel crowded in and it is… read more »

  • Kemil Beach // USA

    Kemil Beach
    © David Mark

    Serene and scenic Kemil Beach is located within the Indiana Dunes National Park, offering a quieter alternative to some of the more crowded beaches along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Located near Beverly Shores, this stretch of sandy beach provides views over the lake and is great spot to catch a sunset.

    The beach is backed by rolling dunes and a… read more »

  • Frank Moody State Beach // USA

    Frank Moody State Beach
    Swampyank

    Set within the Lincoln Wood's State Park, just to the north of Providence, this lakeside beach is actually one of the most popular in Rhode Island.

    Great for swimming, sunbathing and fishing,the beach has plenty of sand and is equipped with showers, restrooms, and a concession stand.

    Frank Moody beach is named after a local lifeguard and water safety instructor in recognition… read more »

  • More Mesa Beach // USA

    More Mesa Beach
    Brian

    More Mesa Beach near Santa Barbara is a secluded sandy beach between Arroyo Burro and Goleta Beach.

    It is accessed from Mockingbird Lane in the Vista La Cumbre development, however there is no parking in that area so you need to park on Puente or Vieja Drive. Enter the park and walk about ¼ mile across the open cliff… read more »

  • Lester Beach // USA

    Lester Beach
    Mark Doliner

    Forming the northern trailhead of the 20 mile Rubicon Trail, Lester Beach is located on the western shores of Lake Tahoe. Facing roughly northeast, it stretches in a thin ribbon for approximately a mile, with its widest portions being at its south-eastern end. It then links to the much shorter Calawee Cove Beach.

    Together, both beaches are sometimes known as Bliss… read more »

  • Secret Cove // USA

    Secret Cove
    Ray Bouknight

    Loved by locals and visitors alike, Secret Cove lies roughly midway along the east coast of Lake Tahoe in Nevada. Just off Highway 28, it's no more than 300 metres in length. This means that even though it is called "Secret" Cove there can be restricted quantities of space on the sand.

    Limited to day trips because of a lack of… read more »