North America's Top 50+ Beaches

Foul Bay // The Caribbean

© 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

© 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 »
Manuel Antonio Beach // Costa Rica

© Luis Cesar Tejo

While the central Pacific coastal region of Costa Rica may not rank uppermost for its beaches, the four found in the Manuel Antonio National Park are definite exceptions. Manuel Antonio Beach is the best of them from a safe swimming view and is certainly one for your beach bucket list. It is a short and scenic drive south of the… read more »
Dennis Beach // Canada

© 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 »
Moonstone Beach // USA

© Jar965

Located in Cambria, San Luis Obispo County, central California, Moonstone Beach is made up of a dark sand the colour of brown sugar. Located within Hearst San Simeon State Park, it has also no facilities.
However, Moonstone Beach does boast a number of attractions that make it well worth a visit. A mile-long boardwalk runs from Moonstone Beach Park at Santa… read more »
Caspersen Beach // USA

Grendelkhan

Florida's Gulf Coast has some of the best white sandy beaches in the world (with the awards to prove it) but Caspersen Beach is rather special. It is known as the "Shark Tooth Capital of the World" for reasons which are explained below.
Close to Venice, Caspersen Beach stretches along the Gulf of Mexico for 1.5 miles and is a… read more »
Darkwood Beach // The Caribbean

Prayinto

Darkwood Beach sits just to the south of Jolly Harbour and its resort village. Situated on Half Hyde Bay, it forms part of the sandbar carrying Valley Road and separating the waters of the Caribbean Sea from those of a large lagoon.
Approximately 300 metres in length, the white sand at Darkwood Beach is widest at its southernmost end, tapering to… read more »
Deep Bay Beach // The Caribbean

Andrew Moore

Lining the western side of a thin spit of land leading towards the ruins of historic Fort Barrington and its surrounding national park, Deep Bay Beach sits on Antigua's west coast. Around 20 minutes by road from St John's cruise ship terminal, it's also common to arrive by catamaran and anchoring off this relatively narrow strip of curving white sand… read more »
Playa Bueycabón // The Caribbean

DnTrotaMundos ☮

Playa Bueycabón lies approximately 20 kilometres from the centre of Santiago de Cuba along highway 20, on Cuba's southern Caribbean Sea coastline. Located in a deep bay with calm waters as a result, Playa Bueycabón rarely becomes crowded, ensuring a feeling of tranquillity.
Those looking to absorb some vitamin D can make use of the sun loungers and thatched parasols which… read more »
Barking Sands Beach // USA

© Gh5046

Barking Sands Beach is part of the 140-acre Polihale State Park which is one of Hawaii's longest beaches. The sand stretches for over 12 miles and includes towering sand dunes that rise to a height of 100 feet.
The movement of the masses of sand is what gave the beach its curious name. The dry grains of sand have… read more »
Playa Paraiso // The Caribbean

© sergey02

Playa Paraiso is a fabulous stretch of beach where soft, powdery white sand runs parallel to a turquoise sea, all under an almost eternally clear blue sky. It is sandwiched between Playa Blanca and Playa Sirena beaches to the east and west respectively. These and a number of other top-rated beaches are dotted around the resort island of Cayo Largo,… read more »
Moshup Beach // USA

C. S. Imming

Located on the exclusive barrier island of Martha's Vineyard, Moshup Beach aka Aquinnah Public Beach is a gem. It's also known as Gay Head or referred to by locals as "the cliffs beach" as that's what it is.
The cliffs are multicolored providing a stunning and dramatic backdrop to the beach. These cliffs are so special they are a National Landmark… read more »
Playa Espadilla // Costa Rica

Fer Quintana

The popular tourist beach of Playa Espadilla has soft sands that stretch for a mile along the coast of the Manuel Antonio National Park. It is the closest beach to Manuel Antonio village, and you will find many people relaxing under umbrellas next to the emerald green waters.
There are quite often waves at Playa Espadilla, but as it is… read more »
Ko Olina // USA

© Michelle Maria

Ko Olina is a gorgeous 2 miles stretch of coastline with a series of sandy coves and several natural and manmade lagoons. The name "Ko Olina" means "fulfillment of joy" and was originally a fishing camp for native Hawaiian rulers.
Just a short distance from Honolulu and the North Shore, Ko Olina is a popular and beautiful beach to visit… read more »
Pacific City Beach // USA

Loren Kerns

Pacific City Beach is a hugely diverse landscape, though the attention of most people will fall immediately on the its wide expanse of gently undulating sand.
At its southern extreme is a spit of land created by the Big Nestucca River entering the Pacific Ocean which attracts everything from herons to puffins, making the beach popular with bird watchers. Seals, sea… read more »