Best USA Beaches

By | Last Updated:
Contents
  1. Fort Funston
  2. Silver Sands State Park
  3. Boca Chica Beach
  4. Curry Hammock State Park
  5. Dauphin Beach
  6. Dockweiler State Beach
  7. Point Reyes Beach
  8. Drakes Beach
  9. Crandon Beach
  10. Green Sand Beach
  11. Pololu Beach
  12. Makapuu Beach Park
  13. Salt Pond Beach
  14. Slaughterhouse Beach
  15. Red Sand Beach
  16. USA beach map

The Best U.S. Beaches...

  • 136. Fort Funston // Northern California

    Fort Funston
    © Adam Derewecki

    The southernmost Pacific facing beach in San Francisco, Fort Funston Beach is included as part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Rather windy, especially on the top of the sandy bluffs that surround it, Fort Funston Beach has become a haven for hang gliders. They launch from a special ramp most frequently between March and October.

    The main downside to Fort Funston Beach if you're not hang gliding is… read more »

  • 137. Silver Sands State Park // Connecticut

    Silver Sands State Park
    Adavyd
    Great for:
    • Swimming

    Around 15 miles southwest of New Haven in Milford, Silver Sands Beach is located in the southwest corner of Silver Sands State Park, close to the Beaver's Dam scenic lookout. Running continuously with Walnut Beach, Silver Sands Beach is backed by a 1.2 km boardwalk suitable for wheelchairs and prams, which takes visitors over rehabilitated salt marsh.

    The beach is protected in part by breakwaters and The Bar (or Tombolo),… read more »

  • 138. Boca Chica Beach // Texas

    Boca Chica Beach
    Alexander Hatley
    Great for:
    • Swimming
    • Surfing

    Federal and state protection has helped ensure that Boca Chica Beach remains undeveloped and untamed despite it being the southernmost point in Texas. It's Spanish name also hints at its location on the Texas-Mexico border where the delta of the Rio Grande meets the Laguna Madre salt flats.

    Part of Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge, those who visit will find a spectacular stretch of wild and unspoilt sand stretching… read more »

  • 139. Curry Hammock State Park // Florida Keys

    Curry Hammock State Park
    Ebyabe
    Great for:
    • Snorkeling
    • Swimming
    • Kitesurfing

    Curry Hammock State Park is set in the heart of the Florida Keys just to the north east of Marathon. Given how developed neighbouring keys are it is somewhat of a surprise just how pristine and wild this stretch of the Keys is.

    Centered on Little Claw Key the park occupies over 1,000 acres of woodland (hammocks), mangrove and most importantly, beach! A stretch of powdery white sand, this sits in… read more »

  • 140. Dauphin Beach // Alabama

    Dauphin Beach
    Michael McCarthy
    Great for:
    • Fishing
    • Swimming

    Dauphin Island, a barrier island located off the coast of Mobile, Alabama, makes up nearly a half of the states diminutive coastline. However, size isn't everything and the island is home to Dauphin Beach, one of the Gulf coast's finest. 

    This affluent island has a rich history that dates back to 1699 when it was first inhabited by a French settler. Today, the town is a fantastic getaway for beach lovers… read more »

  • 141. Dockweiler State Beach // Southern California

    Dockweiler State Beach
    Alistair McMillan
    Great for:
    • Fishing
    • Surfing
    • Kitesurfing

    This vast beach, which sits just three miles away from Los Angeles' international airport is a near-four mile stretch of soft golden sand on California's south east coast.

    Its proximity to the airport makes it a top spot for seeing the aeroplanes take off, but there's a lot more to this beach than plane spotting.

    Among the many amenities here, you'll find fire pits, picnic facilities, showers and restrooms, and there… read more »

  • 142. Point Reyes Beach // Northern California

    Point Reyes Beach
    John Uhrig

    The main beach at Point Reyes can be arbitrarily divided into North Beach and South Beach. However, a more appropriate name is the Great Beach which fairly accurately sums up this 12 mile long stretch of unbroken golden sand.

    On one of the frequent wild and windy days, where you feel the full force of the Pacific waves pounding  unabated into the shoreline, it is hard to imagine you are barely… read more »

  • 143. Drakes Beach // Northern California

    Drakes Beach

    Located on the more sheltered easterly side of Point Reyes Headlands is Drakes Beach. During the summer months this is a popular spot and the broad expanse of sand can quickly fill up.

    Despite being tucked away, around the corner from the full force of the Pacific Ocean there can still be plenty of waves at Drakes Beach. Before you dive in for a quick surf, be warned the water is… read more »

  • 144. Crandon Beach // South Florida

    Crandon Beach
    Paulkondratuk3194
    Great for:
    • Family
    • Swimming
    • Kitesurfing

    Crandon Beach is part of Crandon Park, a former coconut plantation, in the middle of exclusive Key Biscayne barrier island. It is frequently listed as one of the Top 10 Beaches in the USA.

    The white sandy beach is truly idyllic, facing east and protected from the rough surf by an offshore sandbar. This allows the Atlantic waves to break gently along the shores of this 5-mile-long barrier island which backs… read more »

  • 145. Green Sand Beach // Big Island

    Green Sand Beach
    Roy Luck

    Officially called Papakōlea, and also going by the name Mahana Beach, Green Sand Beach takes its most common moniker from its unusually-coloured sands. It is one of just four known beaches worldwide to comprise green sand through the degradation of a volcanic rock known as olivine.

    Located on Big Island's southeast coast at the end of a small inlet, the rocks of an ancient volcanic cone lie on either side. Swimming… read more »

  • 146. Pololu Beach // Big Island

    Pololu Beach
    Jeff

    Set on a remote stretch of coast near the northern tip of the Big Island is the pristine black sand Pololu beach. Only accessible by driving to the end of Highway 270 and then walking the remaining quarter mile, this spot has something of a primeval feel to it - definitely a bit Jurassic Park.

    Pololu Beach lies at the foot of an ancient wooded valley which is also home to… read more »

  • 147. Makapuu Beach Park // Oahu

    Makapuu Beach Park
    Daniel Ramirez
    Great for:
    • Surfing

    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 cove-like setting bordered with palm trees and greenery. The steep… read more »

  • 148. Salt Pond Beach // Kauai

    Salt Pond Beach
    Garden State Hiker
    Great for:
    • Family
    • Snorkeling
    • Swimming

    Salt Pond Beach on Kauai’s south shore is a popular spot for swimming, snorkelling, and relaxing. The beach gets its name from the salt ponds just behind the beach. These are where Hawaiian families have been harvesting sea salt for generations.

    A natural rock barrier creates a calm, shallow swimming area, making it a good choice for families. Beyond the protected area, snorkellers can explore patches of reef with tropical… read more »

  • 149. Slaughterhouse Beach // Maui

    Slaughterhouse Beach
    dronepicr
    Great for:
    • Surfing

    The charmingly named Slaughterhouse beach is located on the northwestern tip of Maui between DT Fleming Beach and Honolua Bay. Despite that rather unappealing name this is in fact one of the prettiest little beaches on the island.

    The name "Slaughterhouse beach" comes from the fact that there used to be a slaughterhouse above the beach. The Honolua Ranch slaughterhouse along with a tanning/storage shed that were located on the cliffs above. However this… read more »

  • 150. Red Sand Beach // Maui

    Red Sand Beach
    Laila Goubran

    As the name suggests Red Sand beach is adorned with sand that is more than just a little red in hue. In fact the little cove is something of a festival of colors; the red sand, deep blue of the ocean, black of the rocks and green of the ironwood trees.

    The redness of the beach is provided by the iron rich lava-cinder cliffs behind which are constantly eroding.

    The Hawaiian name… read more »