Best Family & Kid Friendly Beaches in USA

• Salt Pond Beach // Hawaii

  

  Salt Pond Beach on Kauai’s south shore is a popular spot for swimming, snorkelling, and relaxing. The beach gets its name from the salt ponds just behind the beach. These are where Hawaiian families have been harvesting sea salt for generations.

  A natural rock barrier creates a calm, shallow swimming area, making it a good choice for families. Beyond the protected area, snorkellers can explore patches of reef with tropical fish. This outer reef provides some protection from waves, though conditions can change with the tides and weather. The beach… read more »

• Niles Beach // Massachusetts

  

  Niles Beach is a small but charming spot located on the shores of Gloucester Harbor. This quiet, sandy beach is primarily used by local residents, offering a peaceful escape with calm waters and scenic views over the harbor and nearby Ten Pound Island. Unlike some of the busier beaches in the area, Niles Beach provides a more laid-back atmosphere, perfect for those looking to enjoy a quiet day by the water.

  The gentle waves and shallow waters make it an excellent spot for swimming, especially for families with young children.… read more »

• Revere Beach // Massachusetts

  

  Just north of Boston, Revere Beach is the oldest public beach in the United States. Established in 1896, this historic shoreline stretches for nearly three miles along Broad Sound, offering a wide sandy beach, a lively promenade, and a rich heritage. The beach's easy accessibility by public transport makes it a popular destination for both locals and visitors looking to escape the city.

  The beach itself is comprised of a long, flat expanse of sand, making it ideal for walking, jogging, or even just sunbathing. Swimming is possible during the… read more »

• Constitution Beach // Massachusetts

  

  Constitution Beach, located in East Boston, is a family-friendly urban beach known for soft sand, calm waters, and views over Boston Harbor. Unlike the more exposed coastal beaches of Massachusetts, this crescent-shaped shoreline is very well-protected, making it an ideal spot for swimming and wading. The gentle waves and lifeguard presence in the summer months make it a top pick for families with young children.

  One of the beach's most unique features is its close proximity to Logan International Airport. Visitors can watch planes take off and land just across… read more »

• Long Beach, Nahant // Massachusetts

  

  Long Beach in Nahant is a good-sized stretch of sand offering a quiet coastal escape just to the north of Boston. This mile-long barrier beach, also known as just Nahant Beach, is part of Nahant Beach Reservation and is popular for walking, swimming, and sunbathing. Its proximity to the city makes it an accessible getaway while still feeling fairly remote and unspoiled.

  The beach features soft, light-coloured sand and gentle waves, making it ideal for families and swimmers. During low tide, the shoreline expands, revealing tidal pools and sandbars perfect… 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 »

• Mission Beach // California

  

  The name of both a beach and a town, Mission Beach in San Diego sits on a thin slither of land just two blocks wide at the entrance to the islands and attractions of Mission Bay. Here you'll find SeaWorld San Diego, the largest aquatic park of its type anywhere.

  Facing the Pacific Ocean, Mission Beach stretches for approximately two miles, paralleled the whole way by a paved esplanade / boardwalk dotted with cool stores and places providing beach gear rentals. At its quietest and widest section, towards… read more »

• Rocky Neck State Park East Beach // Connecticut

  

  The bathing beach at Rocky Neck State Park sits within sight of Old Lyme. A broad sweep of pale-coloured sand curving around its bay, it has a protected water's edge extending for several hundred yards thanks to its position at the mouth of the Four Mile River.

  Gently sloping towards the water, and backed by a curtain of parkland, Rocky Neck State Park Beach is a great option for families with younger children. While its sands will provide all the entertainment most will need, its neighbouring salt marshes also make it… read more »

• Bowman's Beach Park // Florida

  

  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 scrub to white sands which incorporate a fitness trail, children's playground, portable toilets and picnic tables alongside public barbeque grills.

  Open… read more »

• Grayton Beach // Florida

  

  Located on the Florida Panhandle, Grayton Beach faces south into the crystalline waters of the Gulf of Mexico. A Blue Wave beach (similar to the better-known Blue Flag scheme in Europe), it is a delightful strip of level white sand. The beach is part of a historic coastal village of the same name, and via its grid of streets, with Grayton Beach State Park.

  A popular spot year-round, Gulf of Mexico fishing charters launching directly from Grayton are common, in addition to the chance to try your hand at sailing or… read more »

• Hulopo'e Bay Beach // Hawaii

  

  Considered one of the best beaches not only in the state of Hawaii but also the entire United States, Hulopoe Bay Beach consists of a beautiful arc of richly coloured sand. This drifts towards sparkling Pacific waters, while being backed onto by areas of native flora containing few manmade structures.

  During the summer months, Hulopo'e's shallows are a prime swimming spot, although the seabed quickly drops off. Snorkelling is also possible thanks to the clarity of the water of this protected marine reserve. Parrotfish, goatfish, and several species of tang all… read more »

• Johnson Beach National Seashore // Florida

  

  Johnson Beach sits at the center of Perdido Key, a barrier island which spans the Florida / Alabama border. 

  The beach has a lifeguard service, plenty of facilities and a parking lot, all of which makes it ideal for families. Along with a host of water based activities there are also a number of hiking trails here best of which is the Discovery Nature Trail. This raised wooden boardwalk winds through dunes the dunes and pine woods for around half a mile.

  The naming of the beach is for Rosamond Johnson.… 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 »

• 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 »

• 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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