10 Best Beaches in the USA, Ranked
Nothing says vacation like a day at the beach. But with so many options, where do you plan your next trip?
Dr. Beach rounded up 10 of the best beaches to visit, and we can’t wait to sink our feet in the water and lay out on the sand.
1. St. George Island State Park – Florida Panhandle
Image Credit: The Happiness Function.
Leave the hustle and bustle of Miami behind and venture out to St. George Island State Park. This white-sand beach is a great place to relax, bird watch, beach comb, and enjoy the ocean.
2. Duke Kahanamoku Beach – Oahu, Hawaii
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Olympian and legendary surfer Duke Kahanamoku grew up swimming and surfing along Waikiki Beach. Named in his honor, Duke Kahanamoku Beach (and adjacent lagoon) brings a calm, simple beach experience to visitors and locals alike in Oahu.
3. Coopers Beach – Southampton, New York
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Just a short trip out of the city, Coopers Beach is nestled along the south shore of Long Island. Lounge on its white sand, admire the mansions in the distance and listen to the beach grass blowing in the wind. You’ll forget you’re even in New York.
4. Caladesi Island State Park – Dunedin/Clearwater, Florida
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A short ferry boat or walk along Clearwater Beach will take you to the crystal-clear waters of Caladesi Island State Park. Visitors can also kayak and canoe through mangrove trees, where you might spot blue herons that frequent the area.
5. Lighthouse Beach – Buxton, Outerbanks North Carolina
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Thanks to the offshore sandbanks, Lighthouse Beach is a top destination for surfers along the East Coast. You can also walk down to Cape Point, where a sand pit brings waves from both sides of the beach.
6. Coronado Beach – San Diego, California
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Not far from the local landmark Hotel del Coronado, Coronado Beach brings visitors to its shore every year. Take in its fine sand, warm climate, and subtropical vegetation – a classic southern California beach experience.
7. Wailea Beach – Maui, Hawaii
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Sitting along the Wailea resort, travelers settle along Wailea Beach for its coral sand beach and tropical landscape. When the water is calm, jump in to snorkel along the reefs.
8. Beachwalker Park – Kiawah Island, South Carolina
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Beachwalker Park sits on the southern end of Kiawah Island. Visitors can paddle on kayaks or canoes into the inlets throughout the island or bird watch along Captain Sam’s Inlet for a day out in nature.
9. Poipu Beach – Kauai, Hawaii
Image Credit: EllenSmile/Depositphotos.com.
Thanks to an offshore island, waves are gently pushed to shore along Poipu Beach, creating a shallow sandbar for children and families to enjoy. Take in the warm sand, beautiful sunsets, and wildlife that frequents the area. You can also rent surfboards or snorkel gear to explore the reefs along the beach.
10. Coast Guard Beach – Cape Cod, Massachusetts
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Even in chilly summer waters, swimmers and surfers take to Coast Guard Beach to enjoy the view of its glacial bluffs and nearby Nauset Spit barrier. But keep your eye out for red flags indicating shark sightings in the water — thanks to an increase in seal populations along the shore.
Where indicated, some images courtesy of Depositphotos.com.
