Best USA Beaches
The Best U.S. Beaches...
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61. San José Island // Texas
Corey Leopold Great for:- Fishing
This off-the-beaten-track beach is nestled on its own secluded island. To get here, you'll need to park at Port Aransas and then hop on the ferry to reach San Jose's warm waters and caramel-coloured sands. Early-risers will be happy to know that the first boat leaves at 6:30 am, but the last one back to the mainland is at 6:10 pm, so do keep an eye on the time to… read more »
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62. Jacob Riis Park Beach // New York
Steven Pisano Great for:- Swimming
- Surfing
Jacob Riis Park Beach makes up the westernmost part of the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens. Named after the social journalist who urged the city authorities to purchase the land to create a public park and beach, its long length of sand is dotted with original art deco structures from the 1920s and 30s, including the bathhouse (bath pavilion).
The beach's northern end is paralleled by a 140 foot wide concrete boardwalk… read more »
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63. Bandon Beach // Oregon
© Andrew Soundarajan / iStock Bandon Beach is a wide and wild public beach. Its sands form a relatively flat surface as they head towards the Pacific, making them suitable for all sorts of games, from beach football to tag. Commonly referred to as Bandon State Natural Area, the beach is probably best known for its sea stacks - thin slivers of rock that rise majestically out of the surf and have all manner of… read more »
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64. Haulover Beach // South Florida
Great for:- Swimming
- Surfing
White sand, clear turquoise sea - nothing unusual there for a Florida beach. Oh, and clothes are optional! That's right, the northern third of Haulover is an officially sanctioned nude beach.
But there is more to Haulover beach than getting naked - this beach has a fantastic array of amenities and things to do making it one of the best family beaches in the Miami area. Along with… read more » -
65. Bowling Ball Beach // Northern California
Brocken Inaglory Great for:- Surfing
The intriguing name of this California beach comes from the rounded boulders up to a metre in diameter which sit on its cliff-lined sands. Part of Schooner Gulch State Beach, Bowling Ball Beach lies a short distance south of Point Arena along Highway One. To reach it from the highway, you need to take the right-hand trail.
The unusual geological phenomenon responsible for the near-spherical rocks is known as "concretion" and… read more »
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66. Carmel Beach // Central California
© Blake Carroll Great for:- Surfing
Located in the town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, in central California's Monterey County, Carmel Beach is formed of a stunning arc of pale sand that runs for close to a mile in length. Edged by vegetation to one side and clear Pacific waters to the other, it looks almost tropical in appearance.
Despite slightly chilly water temperatures, which top out at around 61°F/16°C, Carmel Beach is a popular surfing spot. It is also… read more »
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67. Pfeiffer Beach // Central California
Robert Brett Pfeiffer Beach is in the Big Sur area of California. Roughly a mile long, it is located down a twisting and unmarked two-mile paved road that is unsuitable for RVs and trailers as it has only five points at which vehicles are able to pass one another in opposite directions.
However, this beach more than makes up for the slight difficulty in getting there in sheer beauty. Its main attraction is… read more »
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68. Smathers Beach (Key West) // Florida Keys
Great for:- Snorkeling
- Swimming
Although Key West isn't famous for its great beaches, Smathers Beach is worth a visit. This gorgeous beach is walking distance from the airport with warm water that stays shallow for quite a distance out into the sea, so it's a perfect place to splash around with the kids.
Keep in mind that although the sand feels nice, it tends to get quite hot underfoot in the scorching heat. The… read more »
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69. Hapuna Beach // Big Island
Polihale Great for:- Family
- Snorkeling
- Swimming
- Surfing
Situated on the Kohala Coast, Hapuna Beach is one of the Big Island's largest white sand beaches. A great choice for families with children, Hapuna is a reliable pick because of its range of attractions. These including sunbathing and sand castle building as well as swimming, snorkelling and bodyboarding thanks to a near-continuous shore break.
Roughly 800 metres long and relatively broad, especially during the summer when the sand builds further,… read more »
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70. Three Tables // Oahu
Alison and Fil Great for:- Snorkeling
- Swimming
Set on Oahu's North Shore, this pretty little beach is surrounded by some of the best known surf spots on the planet. In fact the famously huge waves of Waimea Bay break only around 100 yards away from Three Tables. But that's not why people come here.
Three Tables beach is perhaps best known as a snorkeling spot and for good reason. The name of the beach comes from… read more »
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71. Goochs Beach // Maine
Wesley Fryer Great for:- Swimming
- Surfing
One of the best beaches in the US according to US News, Gooch's Beach lies between the rocky promontory known as Oaks Neck and the mouth of the Kennebunk River in southern Maine. Curving gently around its Atlantic frontage, the beach's waters are partially protected by breakwaters at either end, while its rich sand is backed by beachside properties.
While only a few yards wide, Gooch's Beach stretches from roughly 600… read more »
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72. Ogunquit Beach // Maine
Mark Bonica Great for:- Family
- Swimming
- Surfing
- Kitesurfing
Stretching for over three miles along the Atlantic Ocean, the beaches of Ogunquit are known for its white sand and crashing waves. The Main beach is easily accessible from the center of town via Beach Street and extends northwards for around a mile before seamlessly blending into Footbridge Beach. In general, the further north you head, the quieter it gets.
Ogunquit beach maintains something of a wild feel as it… read more »
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73. Sconset Beach // Nantucket
Doug Butchy Great for:- Surfing
- Kitesurfing
Located on the eastern tip of the island, Sconset Beach faces the rolling Atlantic waves and has strong currents. It is near the Siasconset Old Historic District and is accessed along a boardwalk and foot bridge from Gully Road. The area has changed little since it began as an 18h century fishing village. The wide beach is quiet and uncrowded with easy access to the ocean.
Children can have fun at… read more »
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74. Coney Island Beach // New York
Great for:- Swimming
Brooklyn's iconic seafront is home to a generous stretch of sand backed by a boardwalk and vast array of amusements. This is the beach people instantly think about when you mention NYC beaches, and judging by the summer crowds it is the one they go to as well!
Only marginally less busy than nearby Rockaway, Coney Island beach is guaranteed to be jam-packed when the mercury hits the red. And… read more »
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75. Bowman's Beach Park // South Florida
Mark Sherman Great for:- Family
- Fishing
Several miles in length, Bowman's Beach sits on the Gulf of Mexico on the southern shores of Florida's Sanibel Island. Situated on one of the quieter parts of island, with just one main road heading north, Bowman's Beach is close to both JN Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge and the lagoon-like waters of Clam Bayou.
Roughly ten minutes on foot from the nearest car park, the path leads through the grassy… read more »
USA Regions
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California
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Florida
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Hawaii
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Maine
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Massachusetts
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North Carolina
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Oregon
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Rhode Island
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South Carolina
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Texas
USA Cities
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