Top Beaches on the East Coast of the USA

• Blind Creek Beach // Florida

  

  This pristine stretch of sand is located on Hutchinson Island on Florida's Treasure Coast. Set about as far away from any of the crossings from the mainland, it is probably no coincidence that Blind Creek is an official clothing-optional beach. Far away from prying eyes and coastal development this is the perfect place to relax and work on that all-over tan.

  This is a beach with a wonderfully natural feel to it but you won't find much in the way of facilities at Blind Creek. Miles of pale golden sand and… read more »

• Hobe Sound // Florida

  

  Situated on Jupiter Island on Florida's Atlantic facing "Treasure coast", Hobe Sound oozes natural beauty. Something of a rarity on this stretch of coast, Hobe Sound is one of the few public beaches in Martin County. To either side are the enclaves of the very wealthy - this is one of Florida's most exclusive neighborhoods.

  Being on the Atlantic coast, Hobe Sound picks up a fair bit of swell and surfing is popular. You will also often see anglers casting from the beach here.

  There are lifeguards on duty, and whilst the… read more »

• Huntington Beach // South Carolina

  

  You can get a front row view of the Atlantic Ocean from this pristine and wide-open Grand Strand beach, which is located less than 20 miles from Myrtle Beach. The beautifully clean and white sands feel like butter under your toes and there's plenty of wriggle room too.

  Nature lovers make a beeline for this beach, to get hooked into the finest surf fishing South Carolina has to offer. Bird watching's also high on the list of things to do, and it's one of the top spots on the east… read more »

• Hunting Island Beach // South Carolina

  

  Hunting Island Beach lies in the cluster of islands which typify South Carolina's Atlantic coastline between Charleston to the north and Savannah, Georgia, to the south. It's a straight section of near-white sand stretching for around two kilometres, facing roughly eastwards.

  Backed by a basic campground, Hunting Island Beach sits within Hunting Island State Park. Its sands are reached via Route 21, also known as Sea Island Parkway. The park attracts up to a million visitors each year, who come for the mix of sun, sea, hiking, history and wildlife.… read more »

• Seabrook Island Beach // South Carolina

  

  Featuring two championship golf courses, a tournament-ready tennis centre, full service equestrian centre, and a fitness and aquatics complex, this seaside spot, 30 minutes' outside Charleston is primed for action-packed adventurers. 

  And of course, there are the unspoilt beaches too - this barrier island is home to two beautiful sweeps of sand - Pelican Beach and North Beach. Both of them offer sunshine, beautiful views, and hours of enjoyment. However, each has their own unique aspects which keep the islanders flocking to them.

  Pelican Beach is a great spot for young… read more »

• Sullivan's Island Beach // South Carolina

  

  Just minutes from charming Charleston and nestled at the mouth of the Charleston Harbour, Sullivan's Island is an inviting mix of local restaurants and shops, wide-open beaches and watersports, plus a whole load of history and folklore.

  At a relatively modest 3.3 miles, the area isn't huge, but what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in beauty and charm. Fort Moultrie is just a 30-minute walk from here so you may want to go soak up some revolutionary war history while visiting this picturesque town. 

  The island… read more »

• Surfside Beach // South Carolina

  

  The town of Surfside Beach is a small beach community that features two miles of oceanfront and is located just south of the Myrtle Beach city limits. It's nicknamed "The Family Beach" and the town is known as a place where quality time comes easy.

  This is one of the better beaches around, with clean sand and water - a wonderful spot for some fishing, swimming and picnicking. 

  The town's pier used to be a top spot for fishing, although it was destroyed in 2016 by a hurricane. There are plans… read more »

• Isle of Palms Beach // South Carolina

  

  These stunning white sands and calm waters are nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway, just 12 miles from the charms of Charleston. Lifeguards are on duty, there are changing areas, and a snack bar to satisfy rumbling tummies. 

  Alcohol, glass bottles, plastic bags and straws are all banned on the beach as well, to keep it as pristine as possible, while you'll find plenty of places to park nearby, including a couple of car parks right by the beach.

  This beautiful swathe of sand is one of the… read more »

• Coligny Beach Park // South Carolina

  

  This award-winning beach is Hilton Head Island's most popular oceanfront park, offering the chance for locals and tourists alike to step onto the sand and let the sea breeze carry every worry away. 

  Here, you'll be able to enjoy a full beach park with outdoor showers, changing rooms, restrooms and a variety of lounging options. Chairs and umbrellas are available to hire on the beach. There are also swings and wooden chairs under shaded gazebos available for anyone who needs to give their feet an extra rest. 

  This beach is wheelchair accessible,… read more »

• Sachuest Beach // Rhode Island

  

  Also known as Second Beach, Sachuest Beach is a south facing beach tucked between Newport and Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge. Made up of soft sand, it runs for approximately 1.5 miles along Rhode Island's Atlantic Ocean coastline.

  Given its size, it's difficult for Sachuest Beach to ever feel particularly crowded, even on the warmest of summer days. Picturesque into the bargain, its sands are free of both litter and stones, although there are plenty of shells to pick up and admire.

  As a family friendly beach, Sachuest's main type of visitor… read more »

• Scarborough State Beach // Rhode Island

  

  The sands of Scarborough State Beach sit beside the slightest indentation of Rhode Island's Atlantic Ocean coast that it's difficult to even call it a bay. Running almost perfectly straight for the majority of its half-mile plus length, the beach is sometimes divided into north and south sections, the latter being a 1980s extension of the original beach dating from 1937.

  The length and breadth of Scarborough State Beach means sunworshippers and sand castle builders never have very far to go. Lifeguards keep an eye on swimmers during the summer months… read more »

• Easton's Beach // Rhode Island

  

  Easton's Beach is an urban beach uniting the east and west sides of Newport across the Easton Bay basin. Almost a mile long, Easton's Beach is Rhode Island's largest ocean beach, and consists of a broad expanse of off-white sand.

  Also going by the name of First Beach and Newport Beach, Easton's Beach provides a city centre spot for swimming, and is also possibly the closest spot to a city anywhere in the continental US where it's possible to surf.

  Day-trippers from the city will find facilities including restrooms and changing rooms,… read more »

• Narragansett Town Beach // Rhode Island

  

  Narragansett Town Beach sits on the eastern side of Narragansett, and is split between a section of public beach and a privately-owned section. The public beach stretches for around half a mile at the southern end of Narragansett Town Beach. This is known as the rockiest area of the beach, although there is still ample sand.

  A relatively undeveloped stretch of sand, Narragansett Beach is primarily visited for its swimming and surfing. A dedicated surfing area keeps swimmers and boarders safe from the risk of collision.

  Open from the start of June… read more »

• Tappens Beach // Rhode Island

  

  Tappens Beach lies at the end of a rocky cove on the eastern stretches of Rhode Island in Little Compton. Between the natural rock formations, visitors to this quiet Atlantic offering will find a modest area of sand not much over 100 yards long and only loosely speckled with stones and seashells.

  A little overlooked by nearby homes on the rocks, Tappens Beach nonetheless makes for a worthy detour for nature lovers. Not only is the scene close to idyllic, but the sunsets can be glorious, and this area of coast… read more »

• Goddard Memorial State Park Beach // Rhode Island

  

  Goddard Memorial State Park Beach sits on the northern side of the club-shaped peninsula pushing into Greenwich Bay from the south. This sand beach is widest at its midpoint, where there's parking and public access, before narrowing to either side.

  Backed by dense woodland, Goddard Memorial State Park Beach has a total length of a little over half a mile. Well-known as a swimming beach, facilities range from restrooms to public grills and over 350 picnic tables. The surrounding state park has a golf course, horse riding, and several miles of… read more »

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