Top Beaches on the East Coast of the USA

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  • Silver Sands State Park // Connecticut

    Silver Sands State Park
    ©Adavyd

    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), a sand link with the 14-acre Charles Island bird sanctuary. This is said to be the burial place for Captain… read more »

  • Sandy Neck Beach // Massachusetts

    Sandy Neck Beach
    ©M Z

    Set in the relative shelter of Cape Cod Bay, Sandy Neck Beach is a large, long beach with pebbly sand. In fact it is six miles long, and you can get an off-road permit for the 4x4 vehicle trails. Thse trails lead to the tip of the sandy spit and around the southside of the extensive sand dunes.

    If you go for a walk on the beach, you will see the cottages that are over 100 years old. They are mostly owned by people who are there all summer. As… read more »

  • Joseph Sylvia State Beach // Massachusetts

    Joseph Sylvia State Beach
    ©MáVëRíC

    This glorious Joseph Sylvia State Beach has soft white sand and shallow water and is one of the most popular public beaches on Martha's Vineyard (many of the beaches are privately owned or for residents only).

    Stretching 5 miles between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown, this easterly facing beach is on a spit, accessed across a bridge. It's a local landmark and popular for jumping off into the Nantucket Sound waters below. You may get a sense of déjà vu at Joseph Sylvia State Beach as it is best known as the… read more »

  • Gunnison Beach // New Jersey

    Gunnison Beach
    ©Richard Arthur Norton

    Washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Gunnison Beach is a beach that is difficult to fault. It is situated within Fort Hancock and the Sandy Hook Proving Ground Historic District, part of Gateway National Recreation Area. Its views include those of Verrazano Narrows Bridge, connecting Staten Island and Brooklyn, New York. During the summer months there are even direct ferry services between Manhattan and Gunnison Beach, making it popular with residents of the Big Apple.

    Known to some as Beach G, lifeguards keep watch over swimmers, surfers, windsurfers and… read more »

  • Apollo Beach // Florida

    Apollo Beach
    ©Peter & Michelle S

    Located on Florida's eastern Atlantic coastline in New Smyrna, Apollo Beach is on the Canaveral National Seashore (National Park). Great for beach lovers, it has an endless strip of pristine golden sand and, being more secluded, it is one of the top nudist beaches in Florida. (This should not to be confused with the other Apollo Beach on Florida's Gulf Coast near Tampa!)

    Located on a barrier island, Apollo Beach is 10 miles south of New Smyrna Beach. The beautiful soft white sand stretches for 5 miles and… read more »

  • Gay Head Town Beach // Massachusetts

    Gay Head Town Beach

    Many continue to call Gay Head Town Beach by its original name, although Gay Head Town has been known formerly as Aquinnah (meaning ‘land under the hill') by its population of 440 since 1997. At the end of Massachusetts' famed island of Martha's Vineyard, the beach is best known for its dramatic cliffs and the ocean views they deliver.

    Designated a National Natural Landmark by the US National Park Service, Gay Head Town Beach is also known as a focal point for the culture of the Wampanoag people. Its waters have… read more »

  • Cocoa Beach // Florida

    Cocoa Beach
    ©Rusty Clark

    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 you prefer something a little more laidback when the waves aren't up, there's paddleboarding and kayaking on the cards too.

    And… read more »

  • New Smyrna Beach // Florida

    New Smyrna Beach
    ©Ajr24g

    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. A word of warning though - it's also been unofficially called the shark bite capital of the worldread more »

  • Daytona Beach // Florida

    Daytona Beach
    ©Paul Brennan

    This waterfront city on Florida's Fun Coast is probably best known for its international speedway circuit, where NASCAR'S most famous race, the Daytona 500, takes place every year.

    But for beach fans, it's the 23 mile stretch of soft white sands that keeps them coming back. At low tide, the shoreline expands to a width of nearly 500ft, so there's plenty of space to spread out and catch some rays in the sunshine state, without feeling on top of people.

    As with most of the beaches on Florida's East Coast, there's… read more »

  • Rockaway Beach // New York

    Rockaway Beach
    ©Shinya Suzuki

    Long Island's Rockaway Beach stretches along the Jamaica Bay oceanfront a short distance from the take offs and landings of JFK Airport. Forming the southernmost parts of the Borough of Queens, it holds the record for being the largest urban beach in the United States.

    Sometimes called the 'Irish Riviera' because of the number of residents in the neighbourhood with ancestors back on the Emerald Isle, Rockaway Beach had to undergo significant restoration by the US Army Corps of Engineers because of destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy in 2012. It is… read more »

  • Cherry Grove Beach // South Carolina

    Cherry Grove Beach
    ©Rain0975

    Cherry Grove Beach is a small stretch of sandy beach between North Myrtle beach and Little River on the North / South Carolina. It has a rich history of local landmarks and there is plenty to do on and around the beach. If you want to enjoy fishing or golf, you will fit right in because they are very popular here. The best spot for fishing is on the Cherry Grove Pier, which is known for its record sized catches.

    Cherry Grove Beach is home to the number one beach… read more »

  • Veterans Park Beach // Massachusetts

    Veterans Park Beach
    ©William DeSousa-Mauk

    One of Cape Cod's prettiest beaches near Hyannis, Veterans Park Beach has excellent facilities and delightful views across Lewis Bay.

    Ideal for families, there's a playground, BBQ grills, disabled facilities, benches, bike racks, showers, lifeguards, restrooms…in fact everything you need for a full day's activities. There is also plenty of parking in the area for a fee.

    The beach is moderately busy but rarely overcrowded. There's a volleyball court and the all-important snack bar serving burgers, drinks and ice cream. The broad sands are ideal for sandcastles or just relaxing on a… read more »

  • Plymouth Beach // Massachusetts

    Plymouth Beach
    ©Davies

    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 the beach are privately owned, the larger part is owned and managed by the Town of Plymouth and is open… read more »

  • Menemsha Beach // Massachusetts

    Menemsha Beach
    ©N. Friedler

    Located on the exclusive island of Martha's Vineyard, Menemsha Beach is northeast of Menemsha Pond between Aquinnah and Chilmark. It is home to the local US Coastguard Station and featured in the filming of Spielberg's epic movie, Jaws.

    This public beach is one of the white sandy beaches that the island is known for. It overlooks the channel of ocean known as Vineyard Sound with views to Gay Head Lighthouse and the Elizabeth Islands including Nashawena Island. The quaint fishing village of Menemsha provides a scenic location with fishing boats unloading… read more »

  • Frank Moody State Beach // Rhode Island

    Frank Moody State Beach
    ©Swampyank

    Set within the Lincoln Wood's State Park, just to the north of Providence, this lakeside beach is actually one of the most popular in Rhode Island.

    Great for swimming, sunbathing and fishing,the beach has plenty of sand and is equipped with showers, restrooms, and a concession stand.

    Frank Moody beach is named after a local lifeguard and water safety instructor in recognition for his 60+ years of dedication to his job and community.

    read more »