North America's Top 50+ Beaches

  • Venice Beach // USA

    Venice Beach

    When thinking of Los Angeles it is hard not to picture the city's iconic Venice Beach. Whilst many beaches are exactly that, and nothing else, Venice Beach is much more than that; a beach, cultural institution, vibrant community and international tourist destination to name a few. What goes on along the beach front is as important to Venice beach's character… read more »

  • Good Harbor Beach // USA

    Good Harbor Beach
    pfly

    Good Harbour Beach is a public beach which sits at the mouth of a river, opposite Salt Island just east of the city of Gloucester. During low tide, visitors can even walk to Salt Island. Access to Good Harbor Beach is via its dedicated car park off Thatcher Road, or via the footbridge which crosses the river mouth at the… read more »

  • Mohegan Bluffs Beach // USA

    Mohegan Bluffs Beach
    JJBers

    Mohegan Bluffs Beach is situated on the southeastern coast of Block Island. The beach takes its name from the towering cliffs which reach up to 200 feet above the coast. From atop the cliffs, visitors can admire some stunning views out over the Atlantic Ocean.

    The beach itself is fairly sandy but littered with large rocks close to the cliffs -… read more »

  • Plage de la Dune du Sud // Canada

    Plage de la Dune du Sud

    Just a short distance from Iles de la Madeleine Airport, Dune du Sud stretches for an almost unbelievable 22 kilometres (15 miles) along the eastern coast of the Magdalen Islands. A much-celebrated family beach during the summer months, it gets busy despite its size, with activities including bike paths, hiking and a variety of water sports.

    Boat ramps provide an easy… read more »

  • Skaket Beach // USA

    Skaket Beach
    Liza

    Skaket Beach lies on the west coast of Cape Cod facing into the sheltered waters of Cape Cod Bay. This makes it a very different proposition to the Atlantic facing beaches on the east coast.

    Just a stone's throw cross-country from Nauset Beach on the opposite coast, Skaket Beach is different in nearly every way imaginable. Instead of being pounded by… read more »

  • Crane Beach // The Caribbean

    Crane Beach
    © Filip Fuxa /123RF

    Crane beach is everything you expect a Caribbean should be. A stretch of pristine white sand with clear, azure waters; it is little wonder this palm-fringed idyll is frequently cited as one of the best beaches on earth. The name of the beach dates back to the days when the beach was used as a harbour and a large crane… read more »

  • Playa Sirena // The Caribbean

    Playa Sirena
    gian luca bucci

    Playa Sirena is a white sand beach located within the Caribbean Sea waters of Cayo Largo, a small island off Cuba's southern coast with its own international airport. Dotted with mature palms and thatched tiki-style parasols providing plenty of shade, Playa Sirena (or Siren Beach) is the largest and best-equipped of Cayo Largo's beaches accessible independently of the island's resort… read more »

  • Bathsheba // The Caribbean

    Bathsheba
    © phbcz

    One of the island's more laid-back beach destinations, Bathsheba lies amid the fishing village of the same name on the east coast of Barbados. Immediately south of the larger Cattlewash Beach, Bathsheba Beach comprises a good length of golden sand dotted with unusual coral rock formations carved by the action of the waves over centuries.

    The beach is named after the… read more »

  • Popham Beach // USA

    Popham Beach
    Paul VanDerWerf

    Located at the mouth of the Kennebec River, Popham Beach is one of the most popular beaches on the Maine coast. The sandy beach spans nearly two miles of sandy shoreline and is backed by dunes and marshland.

    There are plenty of activities to do at the beach including swimming, kayaking, fishing, and windsurfing. Visitors can also enjoy a picnic on… read more »

  • Goose Rocks Beach // USA

    Goose Rocks Beach
    Peter Rintels

    Goose Rocks Beach is the kind of idyllic spot that conjures up images of perfect East Coast holidays. The beach runs between Cape Porpoise and Granite Point and is backed by an archetypal seaside village.

    The beach itself is a picturesque sweep of white sand stretching for almost three miles. What you won't find at Goose Rocks is waves; the beach… read more »

  • Laguna Beach // USA

    Laguna Beach
    © Joe Belanger

    Located midway between Los Angeles and San Diego, Laguna Beach is the archetypal Southern Californian beach town. This is one of the most fashionable seaside towns in Orange County and as such has attracted the wealthy and famous for many years. Laguna Beach has a long established reputation as a cultural hotspot and is home to any number of art… read more »

  • Foul Bay // The Caribbean

    Foul Bay
    © Richard Semik

    Despite its rather unappealing name, Foul Bay is in fact one of Barbados' loveliest beaches. Situated just around the corner from the equally lovely Crane Bay, the beach here is everything you would hope for and expect from one of the Caribbean's finest. An expanse of white powder sand meets the turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean here. Surrounded by… read more »

  • Half Moon Bay // The Caribbean

    Half Moon Bay
    © jsnover

    Half Moon Bay is a narrow strip of pristine tropical beach that has formed between two uninhabited cays. Not so long ago these little Caribbean sand islands were separated by a channel, but this has since filled with beautiful beach.

    On the northern side of the sandy strip is a sheltered stretch of the Atlantic. The beach here is protected… read more »

  • Parlee Beach // Canada

    Parlee Beach
    © Claire Madison

    Said to be the best beach in New Brunswick, Parlee Beach Provincial Park is a popular beach with everything you could possibly want. This certified Blue Flag Beach (awarded in 2020) is located in Pointe-du-ChĂȘne and is open daily. Admission fees apply.

    The sandy beach has relatively warm sheltered waters (it claims to have the warmest saltwater in Canada). There are… read more »

  • Dennis Beach // Canada

    Dennis Beach
    © James Mann / CC BY

    Dennis Beach, New Brunswick is in the sheltered Bay of Fundy, close to the town of Waterside and within sight of the greenery-topped stacks at Hopewell Rocks.

    The narrow sandy beach runs parallel to the 915 highway and access to the beach is from the parking area. Walk back towards the road and take the trail on the left that… read more »