Best Family & Kid Friendly Beaches in USA

• Cape Hatteras // North Carolina

  

  Cape Hatteras is part of the Outer Banks, a group of barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina that separate and protect the mainland from the Atlantic Ocean. These islands are well known for their beautiful white sand beaches which seemingly stretch forever along the Atlantic coast. The Cape Hatteras National Seashore is a 70 mile section of the Outer Banks running from Bodie Island to Ocracoke Island

  The Cape Hatteras coast is actually divided into a number of long sandy beaches. You will find places to park by most… read more »

• Fort Zachary Taylor Beach // Florida

  

  Set on the western tip of Key West, Fort Zachary Taylor is Florida's most southerly state park. It is also home to what is highly regarded as Key West's best beach.

  A stretch of near-white coral sand, lapped by the clear blue waters of the what feels like the Caribbean Sea make this spot is idyllic. The look is completed by a backdrop of palm trees and Australian pines, making it easy to imagine you are on a tropical island - which in fact you are!

  Beyond the shoreline the seabed can… read more »

• Coronado Beach // California

  

  Consistently voted one of America's finest beaches, Coronado Beach is a long sandy stretch on the outskirts of San Diego. The main Central Beach runs along Ocean Boulevard from the Hotel del Coronado to Sunset Park. An area near Sunset Park is set aside for dog owners to bring their dogs to play on what is known locally as Dog Run Beach. There is parking near the Coronado Hotel.

  The beach is wide and long, and there is a lot of room to spread out and relax, build sandcastles, and go… read more »

• Zuma Beach // California

  

  One of largest and most popular beaches in Los Angeles County, Zuma Beach has clean waters and wide sands that extend for a total of around two miles. The location for the famous final scene in the original 1968 version of Planet of the Apes, it is now better known by the surfing community for its breaks, with Zuma Beach hosting several major competitions each year. Kite surfers tend to gather at the northern end of the beach in the late afternoons.

  Its Pacific waters can be quite cold, and the… read more »

• Panama City Beach // Florida

  

  Stretching for 27 miles, Panama City Beach has white sands that meet clear turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Along this expansive shoreline are two state parks, waterfront restaurants, and a great range of attractions. You will find scuba divers and fishermen enjoying the artificial reefs offshore, and plenty of people relaxing on the beach.

  Panama City Beach has practically every water sports you can think of, from boating to parasailing to diving and more - although the relatively sheltered waters of the Gulf don't make for great surf. You… read more »

• Joseph Sylvia State Beach // Massachusetts

  

  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 »

• Cocoa Beach // Florida

  

  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 »

• Crandon Beach // Florida

  

  Crandon Beach is part of Crandon Park, a former coconut plantation, in the middle of exclusive Key Biscayne barrier island. It is frequently listed as one of the Top 10 Beaches in the USA.

  The white sandy beach is truly idyllic, facing east and protected from the rough surf by an offshore sandbar. This allows the Atlantic waves to break gently along the shores of this 5-mile-long barrier island which backs onto Biscayne Bay. The clear blue waters are ideal for wading and swimming but the park does not permit any… read more »

• New Smyrna Beach // Florida

  

  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 world… read more »

• Daytona Beach // Florida

  

  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 »

• Pensacola Beach // Florida

  

  Stretching for several miles along the state's Gulf of Mexico coastline, Pensacola Beach forms the main proportion of Santa Rosa Island. A barrier island approximately 40 miles in length but just a couple of hundred yards wide, it can be subdivided into a number of different beaches and conservation areas. It is connected by road bridges to mainland Florida at various points.

  The most popular entry point is probably the bridge that brings visitors to the parking spaces and crisp white sands of Casino Beach, part of Pensacola Beach so named… read more »

• Hapuna Beach // Hawaii

  

  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, natural shade can be enjoyed from the surrounding tree cover. There's also a public pavilion built to provide respite from… read more »

• Kamaole Beach Park II // Hawaii

  

  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 has a white sandy bottom making it good for swimming, paddleboarding and snorkelling. Of course, there's not much marine life… read more »

• Kapalua Beach // Hawaii

  

  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 a place to enjoy walking on the beach and relaxing in the sand. The sunset views are beautiful, so you… read more »

• Ogunquit Beach // Maine

  

  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 is backed by the Ogunquit River Estuary. This haven for wildlife also makes a great backdrop for sunsets. Despite its… read more »

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