Top Beaches on the East Coast of the USA

• 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 »

• Jenness State Beach // New Hampshire

  

  Jenness Beach is a popular spot with surfers and is one of the most easily reached surf spots from Boston. Generally speaking this is a beginner-friendly beach with a gently sloping sand bottom but on its day the waves here can be awesome.

  The beach is also a good family friendly choice with cheap parking and good amenities. Lifeguards patrol the beach during the summer months meaning swimming is fairly safe and there is a picnic area.

  The modern bathhouse by the car park has changing stalls, showers and restrooms.

  With New Hampshire… read more »

• Wrightsville Beach // North Carolina

  

  The Atlantic beach at Wrightsville stretches for around 4 miles and is best known by those of a certain age as a location in the TV series Dawson's Creek. The youthful atmosphere of Wrightsville Beach continues today due to its proximity to the University of North Carolina, Wilmington drawing students to its shoreline on sunny days.

  With the almost guaranteed waves of the Atlantic close at hand, Wrightsville Beach is a celebrated surfing and kiteboarding destination. Surf stores can rent out all the gear you'll need, and also offer beginners lessons.… read more »

• Nags Head // North Carolina

  

  Nags Head Beach lies on North Carolina's Outer Banks barrier island network. It's lined on its landward side by private beachfront homes and hotels, although public access and parking is maintained at specific points.

  Once visitors have reached Nags Head Beach, they'll find an apparently endless expanse of golden sand. It probably takes its name from one of the many Nags Heads in England which usually relate to something horse head-shaped. One of the main attractions here is Jockey's Ridge State Park, which contains the tallest dune system on the US… read more »

• Holden Beach // North Carolina

  

  Holden Beach lies at the eastern end of a long thin barrier island separated from the mainland by the Intracoastal Waterway. Easily reached by car, Holden Beach has been voted one of the best family beaches anywhere in the US.

  Its soft sands are a great space for having some fun in the sun, while its Atlantic waves are perfect for a quick swim. Surfboards, paddleboards, boats and bikes can all be rented for those looking to take full advantage of their time at Holden Beach. Meanwhile, the Intracoastal Waterway is… read more »

• Kitty Hawk // North Carolina

  

  Kitty Hawk Beach is located on the oceanic side of Bodie Island, a naturally-formed barrier island. Centred around its pier, the beach stretches out in either direction for several miles. Although lined almost all the way by beachside properties built to face the miraculous Atlantic sunrises, Kitty Hawk Beach still manages to maintain a feeling of serenity above all else.

  Local and visiting fishermen can often be found on the pier, while low tide offers the chance for shelling alongside the sands. It's said to be best in the early summer.… read more »

• Oak Island // North Carolina

  

  Oak Island Beach is located a short distance south of Wilmington. Separated from mainland North Carolina by the Intracoastal Waterway, Oak Island Beach meets the Atlantic Ocean between Oak Island Golf Club and Long Beach.

  Facing directly south, the sands of Oak Island Beach are unusual for NC in offering the chance to witness both sunrise and sunset. In between, visitors to Oak Island Beach have a choice of water sports, including canoeing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. There are two fishing piers, and a marina from where boat trips around the… read more »

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