Best USA Beaches

By | Last Updated:
Contents
  1. Mahai'ula Beach
  2. Sandy Beach
  3. Donkey Beach
  4. Kailua Beach
  5. Diamond Head Beach
  6. Keawakapu Beach
  7. Kapalua Beach
  8. DT Fleming Beach Park
  9. Kamaole Beach Park II
  10. Kamaole Beach Park III
  11. Kemil Beach
  12. Ferry Beach
  13. Short Sands
  14. Wells Beach
  15. Plymouth Beach
  16. USA beach map

The Best U.S. Beaches...

  • 241. 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 »

  • 242. 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 »

  • 243. 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 »

  • 244. 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 »

  • 245. 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 »

  • 246. 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 »

  • 247. 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 »

  • 248. 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 »

  • 249. 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 »

  • 250. 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 »

  • 251. Kemil Beach // Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

    Kemil Beach
    © David Mark
    Great for:
    • Swimming

    Serene and scenic Kemil Beach is located within the Indiana Dunes National Park, offering a quieter alternative to some of the more crowded beaches along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Located near Beverly Shores, this stretch of sandy beach provides views over the lake and is great spot to catch a sunset.

    The beach is backed by rolling dunes and a network of trails which lead into the surrounding woodlands. A… read more »

  • 252. 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 »

  • 253. Short Sands // Maine

    Short Sands
    Fred Hsu
    Great for:
    • Swimming
    • Surfing

    Short Sands Beach stretches for around 300 yards within the oceanfront community of York, southern Maine. Despite its name, Short Sands Beach still manages to form a suitable fine ribbon of sand within Ellis Park. On the highest tides, Short Sands can all but disappear temporarily.

    Together with the park, Short Sands Beach provides amenities which include public restrooms, basketball courts, a children's sand playground and a grassy picnic area. During… read more »

  • 254. Wells Beach // Maine

    Wells Beach
    Bud
    Great for:
    • Surfing

    Wells Beach stretches for almost a mile just south of the town of Kennebunkport. It was named Wells Beach after the small resort town nearby, which has been referred to as both the antiques capital and the friendliest town in Maine. It's believed to be the third-oldest town in the state, having been founded as long ago as 1643.

    The beach is particularly popular during the summer months, with visitors making… read more »

  • 255. Plymouth Beach // Cape Cod

    Plymouth Beach
    Davies
    Great for:
    • Swimming

    Located in iconic Cape Cod Bay, Plymouth Beach stretches for 3 sandy miles along a narrow barrier island with water on either side. The barrier island protects Plymouth Harbor from the open ocean waves.

    It gets its name from the nearby town of Plymouth and Plymouth Rock. It was an early settler area for the Mayflower pilgrims who named it after their departure point in the UK - Plymouth.

    Although parts of… read more »