North America's Top 50+ Beaches
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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 »
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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 »
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Locarno Beach // Canada
© Jeff Hitchcock / CC BY Locarno Beach is on the Stanley Park Seawall just 7 km west of downtown Vancouver. It runs from Spanish Banks in the west to Jericho Pier and Park to the east.
This beautiful sandy beach is shaded by stands of tall evergreen trees and within sight of the high-rise architecture of the city. It was named after the Swiss… read more »
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Parksville Beach // Canada
© marneejill / CC BY Overlooking Lasqueti Island and the Strait of Georgia, Parksville Beach is a pristine sandy beach on east coast Vancouver Island. Sweeping views look out across the expansive ocean to the Coast Mountains on mainland British Columbia.
The clean sand here is ideal for young families to play. Access is via the Parksville Community Park which has children's play areas, water cannons,… read more »
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Parlee Beach // Canada
© 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-Chêne 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 »
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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 »
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Dune de Bouctouche // Canada
© Ultimograph5 / CC BY Located on Route 475 in New Brunswick, the Dune de Bouctouche is in a remote and uncrowded area. The name comes from a native Mi'kmaq word meaning "Great little harbour" which refers to the nearby riverside town of Bouctouche.
Stretching for 12km, Bouctouche is one of the longest dunes on North America's East Coast. The dunes and golden sandy beach… read more »
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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 »
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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 »
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Manchebo Beach // The Caribbean
D_M_D Manchebo Beach is a wide, quiet stretch of soft white sand on Aruba’s western coast. Known for its laid-back atmosphere and lack of high-rise resorts, it offers a more relaxed experience compared to the busier Palm Beach a few miles along the coast. The turquoise water is calm, making it great for swimming, while the open space and gentle… read more »
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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 »
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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 »
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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 »
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Playa Juraguá // The Caribbean
Christian Pirkl Sitting deep within the D of a small bay to the east of Santiago de Cuba, Playa Juraguá may not be the island's broadest stretch of sand, but it is nonetheless a fantastic place to escape to when the Caribbean Sea beckons. Here a coastline peppered with small rocks evolves into a largely stone-free run of clean sand which continues… read more »
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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 »
