Best 25+ USA Beaches

By The Beach Guide | Last Updated: August 25, 2023

Contents

Lanikai Beach
Cannon Beach
Tunnels Beach
Misquamicut State Beach
Ocracoke Beach
Ke'e Beach
Honopu Beach
Waimea Bay
Ehukai Beach Park (Pipeline)
Poipu Beach
Popham Beach
Goose Rocks Beach
Santa Rosa Beach
Siesta Key Beach
Kāʻanapali Beach
USA beach map

The USA's so big that trying to sum up its beaches in one go is near-impossible. In fact, 30 of the country's 50 states have a coastline adding up to a colossal 95,000 miles of shoreline. From Miami's soft sands in the South East to Oregon's rugged Arizona Beach in the West, the American beach scene is as varied as the country's landscape.

That being said, when it comes to US beaches, there's really only one place to start - Florida - or the Sunshine State as it's so aptly known. Many of the best beaches in the USA reside here, with big-hitters like Miami's South Beach and the Space Coast's Cocoa Beach. Arguably, the most impressive aspect of the USA's beaches is that they tend to have plenty going on beside them. For example, South Beach is barely a 15-minute drive from Downtown Miami, while Cocoa Beach is just a little further from the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral. One thing they have in common though, as with most of Florida's beaches, is silky soft sands, an abundance of watersports and tons of bars and restaurants nearby.

While Florida can lay claim to the mainland's best beaches, the island state of Hawaii can almost certainly claim to have the most tropical beaches. This archipelago, which sits around 2,000 miles off the mainland's West Coast, is sprinkled with golden sands, palm trees and crystal clear waters on its many islands. If you're after an island paradise without the crowds, then Hawaii's a top pick.

Back on the mainland and the complete opposite of Florida - both geographically and scenically - is the USA's ninth largest state, Oregon. While non-natives might know very little about the state's beach scene, the locals are definitely clued up about it, and some of the beaches here are among America's best kept secrets. Top of the pile is Cannon Beach - a biscuit-coloured swathe of sand that's been named one of the world's most beautiful places by National Geographic. What makes this beach so scenic is the rugged landscape that envelopes it and the cloud-brushing Haystack Rock in the water. This 235ft basalt sea stack is a mighty impressive sight, and at low tide you can even walk to its base, such is its proximity to the shore. Regarding facilities at Cannon Beach, there are plenty of places to grab food and drink from, but from an activity point of view, this place is definitely more about the scenery than the surf.

The Best U.S. Beaches...

1. Lanikai Beach // Oahu

© Tomasfoto

Situated on the windward coast of Oahu in Hawaii is Lanikai beach, which translates as "heavenly sea". With its fine white sand and brilliant aqua blue water this name seems quite fitting. Lanikai is fringed with palm trees and with water temperatures rarely dipping below 75° F (24° C) there is no mistaking you are in the tropics. Unlike many of Oahu's other great beaches, Lanikai is not designated a… read more »
2. Cannon Beach // Oregon

© Stacey Andrew McClain
Great for:
- Surfing
- Kitesurfing
Look for Cannon Beach on a map of Oregon and you'll find its not only the name of a stunning stretch of west coast shoreline, but also a city in Clatsop County. Named one of the world's most beautiful places by none other than National Geographic (and they should know), Cannon Beach also featured in the last scene of the 1991 cult classic Point Break.
Face out from the soft sands… read more »
3. Tunnels Beach // Kauai

© Sekar Balasubramanian

Tunnels beach is set on the north coast of Hawaii's most northerly main island, Kauai. Originally known as Makua beach, the name Tunnels could be from one of two possible sources; most likely is it comes from the maze passages that wind their way through the big coral reef which sits just offshore. Alternately, it could be from the shape of the waves that make it popular with surfers.

The… read more »
4. Misquamicut State Beach // Rhode Island

© Juliancolton
Great for:
- Family
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Surfing
Misquamicut State Beach is located in the very west of Rhode Island, just over the state line from New Hampshire. Not only is this one of the longest beaches in the state, it is the most popular, and for good reason.
Forming part of a sandy coastline that stretches off for miles in both directions, Misquamicut is a beach with something for everyone. Sitting on the edge of the little seaside… read more »
5. Ocracoke Beach // North Carolina

© VisitNC.com
Great for:
- Surfing
Ocracoke beach is amongst the best in North Carolina, and some say the whole of America. It is indeed a beautiful stretch of pristine coastline and forms part of the protected Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
Set on the 16-mile long Ocracoke island which froms part of the Outer Banks, the beach is accessible only by boat. This secluded, unspolit cast is perfect for fishing and beachcombing. The Atlantic Ocean beaks… read more »
6. Ke'e Beach // Kauai

Ben K
Great for:
- Snorkeling
- Swimming
Located at the end of the road, Ke’e Beach is the last accessible beach from the north shore of Kauai. This stunningly majestic beach is a prime spot for snorkeling and sightseeing, with spectacular views of the entire coast.
The beach connects to the Kalalau Trail, an infamously treacherous route spanning 11 miles along the coastline. The rugged trail is widely acclaimed as one of the most beautiful and dangerous hikes… read more »
7. Honopu Beach // Kauai

dronepicr

Honopu Beach is a remote and secluded beach on Kauai's spectacular Na Pali Coast. The only way you can get there is by boat or swimming to it. The incredible beach is backed by 1200-foot high sea cliffs, and they are separated by the Honopu Arch. There is a huge waterfall that comes down the sea cliff and goes through to arch on its way to the ocean.
The word… read more »
8. Waimea Bay // Oahu

Anthony Quintano
Great for:
- Family
- Swimming
- Surfing
Beautiful Waimea Beach is set at the heart of the North Shore and catches all the rolling swells that attract big wave riders and pro surfers from around the world. Divided by the outflow of the Waimea River which is ideal for tubing, the golden sands are punctuated by rocks at the south end of this pretty cove, including the huge Waimea Rock which is popular for scrambling up… read more »
9. Ehukai Beach Park (Pipeline) // Oahu

Aussie Aussalt
Great for:
- Snorkeling
- Swimming
- Surfing
No visit to the North Shore would be complete without checking out Ehukai beach, or Banzai Pipeline as it is known to surfers around the world. Set at the heart of the "7 mile miracle" this is possibly the most famous surf spot on the planet and a veritable Mecca for surfers. However, Pipeline is a wave for the experts only; incredibly powerful and breaking over a shallow coral… read more »
10. Poipu Beach // Kauai

© Ellen Smile
Great for:
- Family
- Snorkeling
- Swimming
Poipu is the most popular beach on Kauai's South Shore and by all accounts one of the most highly rated in all Hawaii (or at least according to Dr Beach). The island of Kauai itself is the least developed and with its abundantly lush interior is often referred to as the Garden Isle. So, despite the fact Poipu borders a number of resorts it still has plenty of pristine, tropical… read more »
11. Popham Beach // Maine

Paul VanDerWerf
Great for:
- Family
- Swimming
- Surfing
- Kitesurfing
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 the beach or take a stroll to the historic fort… read more »
12. Goose Rocks Beach // Maine

Peter Rintels
Great for:
- Family
- Swimming
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 is sheltered by a number of small islands and reefs… read more »
13. Santa Rosa Beach // Florida

© Barbara Reddoch
Great for:
- Surfing
Powdery white sand and the clear waters of the Gulf are all par for the course along Florida's Emerald Coast and Santa Rosa beach is no exception. Situated less than ten miles away from the ever popular beaches of Destin, what you get at Santa Rosa is a more laid back, and dare I say, upmarket experience. You can instantly tell there is money here from the fine beachfront properties… read more »
14. Siesta Key Beach // South Florida

© fotomak / 123RF
Great for:
- Family
- Swimming
Frequently cited as the USA's best beach on account of its brilliant white sand, turquoise waters and laid back feel, Siesta Key is a worthy contender for the title.
Located on the eight mile long Gulf Coast barrier island of Siesta Key the beach here is made from some of the finest sand on the planet; 99% quartz, the white sand is apparently unusually cool and soft - good enough in… read more »
15. Kāʻanapali Beach // Maui

© Rob Newton
Great for:
- Family
- Snorkeling
- Surfing
If you are a beach connoisseur, then Kāʻanapali Beach on Maui's west coast is definitely one for your bucket list. Dubbed "Black Rock" Beach locally, this stunning three mile stretch of golden-white sand and alluring, azure water is within walking distance of several large resorts, tempting restaurants and many other local attractions.

No surprise then that this beautiful Hawaiian beach has received many international accolades, including America's Best Beach… read more »