David Awoyode
The US is home to thousands of incredible beaches — some world-famous, others hidden gems waiting to be discovered. While Florida, California, and Hawaii often get the spotlight, states like Michigan, Minnesota, and New Hampshire also boast breathtaking waterfront escapes. With nearly 100,000 miles of shoreline, here are some of the most beautiful beaches in America.
Sand Beach – Acadia National Park, Maine
Nestled in Acadia National Park, Sand Beach offers both daytime adventures and nighttime stargazing. Nearby hiking trails like The Beehive and Ocean Path make it a perfect all-day getaway.
Cannon Beach – Oregon
Famous for Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach combines dramatic scenery with peaceful shoreline strolls. Visitors can explore tide pools, hike Ecola State Park, or enjoy art galleries and cafés in the nearby town.
Kā‘anapali Beach – Maui, Hawaii
Known as one of Hawaii’s most picturesque beaches, Kā‘anapali is ideal for snorkeling with Hawaiian green sea turtles and colorful coral reefs. In winter, visitors may even spot humpback whales.
Marconi Beach – Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Named after inventor Guglielmo Marconi, this Cape Cod treasure is known for its stunning 50-foot cliffs. Wooden stairs lead down to soft sands and a pristine shoreline.
Shackleford Banks – North Carolina
A barrier island famous for its wild horses, Shackleford Banks is the perfect spot for peaceful walks and quiet swims in crystal-clear waters.
Kiawah Island – South Carolina
Home to a 10-mile coastline, Kiawah Island offers birdwatching, sea turtle sightings, and luxury golf resorts — making it one of South Carolina’s most idyllic escapes.
Siesta Beach – Florida
Located on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Siesta Beach is famous for its powdery quartz sand that stays cool underfoot. It’s family-friendly, calm, and consistently ranked the best beach in the US.
Driftwood Beach – Jekyll Island, Georgia
A hauntingly beautiful shoreline filled with weathered driftwood trees, Driftwood Beach has been featured in films like The Walking Dead and X-Men: First Class.
Hammonasset Beach State Park – Connecticut
With 2 miles of pristine beachfront, Hammonasset offers fishing, swimming, camping, and a nature center — making it Connecticut’s top coastal destination.
Cape May – New Jersey
This historic Victorian town offers charming seaside beauty, a picturesque lighthouse, and views of both Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
Sandbridge Beach – Virginia
A quiet alternative to Virginia Beach, Sandbridge is perfect for kayaking, fishing, or hiking nearby False Cape State Park.
Sandy Point State Park – Maryland
Located on the Chesapeake Bay, Sandy Point offers sandy beaches, picnic areas, and great hiking trails. It’s especially popular with families.
Laguna Beach – California
With rugged coves, surfing spots, and wild trails, Laguna Beach is one of California’s most beloved coastal escapes — even with wildfire risks nearby.
Biloxi Beach – Mississippi
Along the Gulf Coast, Biloxi combines beach fun with casinos, fresh seafood, and opportunities for paddleboarding or shrimping trips.
Ruby Beach – Olympic National Park, Washington
Known for its red-hued sand and dramatic sea stacks, Ruby Beach is one of the Pacific Northwest’s most scenic coastal treasures.
Rotary Beach – Ketchikan, Alaska
A local favorite, Rotary Beach is a family-friendly swimming spot with picnic areas and views of Nichols Passage.
Zoni Beach – Culebra, Puerto Rico
A quiet alternative to more crowded Caribbean beaches, Zoni Beach is great for turtle spotting and sipping fresh coconut water.
Cape Henlopen State Park – Delaware
Where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic, Cape Henlopen offers dunes, bike trails, and WWII history at Fort Miles.
Mohegan Bluffs – Block Island, Rhode Island
Towering 150-foot cliffs overlook this secluded beach, accessible by a long stairway down the bluffs.
Park Point – Duluth, Minnesota
Stretching into Lake Superior, Park Point is Minnesota’s most popular beach with volleyball courts, picnic spots, and stunning views.
Harris Beach State Park – Oregon
A nature lover’s paradise, Harris Beach offers tide pools, rocky outcroppings, and birdwatching opportunities on Oregon’s south coast.
Weirs Beach – Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire
Featuring a lively boardwalk, arcades, and sandy swimming areas, Weirs Beach is a must-visit in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region.
Key Biscayne – Miami, Florida
Just south of Miami, Key Biscayne’s beaches stretch 4 miles with family-friendly parks, lighthouses, and calm waters.
Kohler-Andrae State Park – Wisconsin
With rolling dunes and Lake Michigan views, Kohler-Andrae is a haven for swimming, camping, and stargazing.
Gulf Shores – Alabama
Recently named one of the top US beach destinations, Gulf Shores features palm-lined sands, lively boardwalks, and water sports.
Honokalani Beach – Maui, Hawaii
This striking black sand beach, created from lava rock, offers hiking trails and volcanic landscapes for adventurous visitors.
McWay Falls – Big Sur, California
A breathtaking 80-foot waterfall cascading onto the sand makes McWay Falls one of California’s most iconic coastal views.
Washington Park Beach – Indiana
A quiet Lake Michigan beach with soft sand, a lighthouse, and close access to Indiana Dunes National Park.
South Padre Island – Texas
Famous for both spring break parties and quiet retreats, South Padre offers beach bars, wildlife, and water sports.
Grand Haven State Park – Michigan
Known for its iconic lighthouse pier and sandy shores, Grand Haven is Michigan’s most charming beach town.
Huntington Beach – Ohio
Set along Lake Erie, Huntington Beach is perfect for swimming, picnics, and enjoying spectacular lakefront sunsets.
Presque Isle State Park – Pennsylvania
This peninsula in Lake Erie offers 11 beaches, scenic trails, kayaking, and world-class birdwatching.
Grand Isle – Louisiana
A barrier island along the Gulf, Grand Isle offers camping, surfing, and some of the best fishing in Louisiana.
Jones Beach State Park – New York
One of the country’s most visited beaches, Jones Beach features 6 miles of sand, a lively boardwalk, and plenty of activities.
Marble Beach – Iowa
Located on Big Spirit Lake, Marble Beach is perfect for camping, boating, and fishing in a peaceful Midwest setting.
Charles Esther