Best USA Beaches

By | Last Updated:
Contents
  1. Calusa Beach
  2. Cocoa Beach
  3. New Smyrna Beach
  4. Kehena Black Sand Beach
  5. Mahai'ula Beach
  6. Sandy Beach
  7. Donkey Beach
  8. Kailua Beach
  9. Diamond Head Beach
  10. Keawakapu Beach
  11. Kapalua Beach
  12. DT Fleming Beach Park
  13. Kamaole Beach Park II
  14. Kamaole Beach Park III
  15. Ferry Beach
  16. USA beach map

The Best U.S. Beaches...

  • 226. Calusa Beach // Florida Keys

    Calusa Beach
    Great for:
    • Snorkeling
    • Swimming

    Lying close to the southernmost point of Bahia Honda Key, one of the Florida Keys, Calusa Beach comes complete with palm trees and white sand gently-sloping into warm azure blue waters.

    One of just a handful of great beaches in the keys, and one of very few that are entirely natural, Calusa Beach is part of Bahia Honda State Park. Encroached by grasses, it has a relatively narrow extent, and… read more »

  • 227. Cocoa Beach // Florida

    Cocoa Beach
    Rusty Clark
    Great for:
    • Family
    • Surfing

    This six-mile long stretch of biscuit-coloured sand sits at the heart of Florida's Space Coast. It's well known for its watersports scene, with surfers flocking from far and wide to ride the waves here - it's even where 11-time surfing world champion Kelly Slater learned his craft. 

    Cocoa Beach is also home to the world's biggest surf shop, Ron Jon's and you'll find surf schools are dotted along the beach. If… read more »

  • 228. New Smyrna Beach // Florida

    New Smyrna Beach
    © Ajr24g
    Great for:
    • Family
    • Surfing

    You'll find the pearl-white sands of New Smyrna Beach just 15 miles south of the better known Daytona Beach, on Florida's East Coast.

    The 17-mile strip of sand is a big hit with surfers, thanks to its plentiful wave breaks, with both amateurs and experts taking to the waters here.

    In fact, it's been named as one of the top 20 surf towns anywhere in the word by National Geographic.… read more »

  • 229. Kehena Black Sand Beach // Big Island

    Kehena Black Sand Beach
    Tal Atlas

    A thin sliver of black sand on the eastern coast of Big Island in Puna, Kehena Black Sand Beach is best accessed by following the path leading from the left of the car park. Because of its isolation, it is often used by nude sunbathers, although this is illegal on Hawaii and those who strip off may face a fine from local law enforcement officials.

    Sometimes also called Dolphin Beach because… read more »

  • 230. Mahai'ula Beach // Big Island

    Mahai'ula Beach
    dronepicr
    Great for:
    • Snorkeling
    • Swimming
    • Surfing

    Set within Kekaha Kai State Park, Mahai'ula Beach is the most southerly of three beautiful white sand beaches. It is also usually the quietest, although part of the reason for this is that the road down to the beach is really bad.

    The crescent of sand at Mahai'ula is backed with plenty of shade from the ironwood trees and clumps of coconut palms. Set among the trees at the southern end of the beach… read more »

  • 231. Sandy Beach // Oahu

    Sandy Beach
    JD Lasica
    Great for:
    • Surfing

    Situated on the southeastern tip of Oahu island, Sandy Beach is a beautiful and remote spot that is far from the well-trodden tourist path.

    Thirty minutes by car from Waikiki, it is just beyond the Halona Blowhole and makes a dramatic first impression for those driving along the single track road on the lava cliffs from Koko Head Crater. There is plenty of free parking at this sheltered inlet… read more »

  • 232. Donkey Beach // Kauai

    Donkey Beach

    Donkey Beach, also known as Paliku Beach, is a relatively secluded beach on the east coast of Kauai. A stretch of unspoilt golden sand backed by fields and a few trees this is a lovely spot to throw down a towel and soak up the tropical sun.

    The beach here isn't the best for swimming and snorkeling though as the waves can be powerful and the currents strong. In fact it… read more »

  • 233. Kailua Beach // Oahu

    Kailua Beach
    Daniel Ramirez
    Great for:
    • Swimming

    The turquoise blue waters of this beach are quite a sight to behold. And the soft white sand just melts under your feet as you walk to the water. The beach is surrounded by green mountains and lined with trees. Stretching along Oahu's west coast for two and a half miles you will never feel crowded in and it is the ideal place for walking and taking in the view.… read more »

  • 234. Diamond Head Beach // Oahu

    Diamond Head Beach
    Daniel Ramirez
    Great for:
    • Snorkeling
    • Surfing
    • Kitesurfing

    Just 2 miles southeast of famous Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head Beach is popular with beach lovers, surfers and windsurfers due to the ever-present white-crested swell that rolls in relentlessly. The surf breaks are about a quarter mile out to sea and there are multiple good spots to choose from.

    Quieter than many beaches on Oahu, Diamond Head Beach is accessed from car parks on the clifftop via a couple… read more »

  • 235. Keawakapu Beach // Maui

    Keawakapu Beach
    Kirt Edblom
    Great for:
    • Snorkeling
    • Swimming
    • Surfing

    Keawakapu Beach is situated on the west coast of Maui, south of Maalaea Bay. Over half a mile in length, the beach is made up of a rich orange sand which slips into shallow waters from banks of shrubs and palm trees. Its shallow entry into the waters of the Pacific Ocean make it a great choice for swimmers, bodyboarders and snorkelers, in addition to those looking to enjoy the… read more »

  • 236. Kapalua Beach // Maui

    Kapalua Beach
    Laila Goubran
    Great for:
    • Family
    • Snorkeling
    • Swimming

    Kapalua Bay definitely lives up to its reputation as one of America's Best Beaches. The crystalline green-blue waters lap the golden sands which line this horseshoe shaped bay. With fairly calm sea and gently breaking waves Kapalua Bay is ideal for swimming, although there is no lifeguard on duty. You can also snorkel and scuba dive; you will see corals, tropical fish, and turtles under the water.

    This is… read more »

  • 237. DT Fleming Beach Park // Maui

    DT Fleming Beach Park
    KasugaHuang
    Great for:
    • Swimming
    • Surfing

    Set on the far northwest of Maui, D.T. Fleming Beach Park has a long sandy beach which is surrounded by trees, and is quieter than many of the island's other beaches. The white sand runs for 1,500 feet with a width of 150 feet between two lava healands. The surrounding trees are Ironwoods, and there are dunes leading up to them. There is a shallow sandbar in front of most… read more »

  • 238. Kamaole Beach Park II // Maui

    Kamaole Beach Park II
    dronepicr
    Great for:
    • Family
    • Snorkeling
    • Swimming

    Kamaole Beach Park II is the mid-section of a trio of beautiful beaches in central Kihei. Kam 2, as it is often referred to, stretches for about 1/3rd mile along the edge of the relatively calm waves. There are rocky outcrops at either end that separates it from Kam I and Kam III at high tide. 

    The beach is popular with local families as it is not only beautiful, but also… read more »

  • 239. Kamaole Beach Park III // Maui

    Kamaole Beach Park III
    dronepicr
    Great for:
    • Swimming

    Kamaole Beach Park III is the southernmost of the trio of sandy beaches that make up Kamaole Beach in Kihei. It's the smallest of the three and has rocks at either end providing interest in contrast to the soft white sand.

    Like its neighbours, Kam III is beautiful with a backdrop of lush greenery and a large grassy park area which is tailor-made for picnics and ball games. It's a popular… read more »

  • 240. Ferry Beach // Maine

    Ferry Beach
    Gary Lerude

    Ferry Beach runs for several hundred glories yards on southern Maine's Saco Bay before its soft pale sands blend with those of Bayview Beach. Although relatively narrow, Ferry Beach is still a popular place to soak up the sun or take a dip in this part of the Atlantic Ocean. The adjoining state park features picnic benches, walking trails and a cluster of unusual tupelo (black gum) trees.

    During the summer… read more »