Are you more of an East Coast or West Coast aficionado? And, when in Florida, are you more of an Atlantic lover or a Gulf seeker? In truth, you can’t go wrong with either of these insatiable shorelines.
If you find yourself with a desire to stroll along the Atlantic someday, these 15 beaches will not only offer you stunning views, but also a more soulful respite, given their quieter, calmer atmospheres.
South Beach, Florida
The moment someone says “Key West,” do you hear the Beach Boys ringing in your ears? The Florida Keys are home to some of the state’s, if not the world’s, prettiest beaches. About 50 of the Keys are connected by the Overseas Highway, your highway to happiness. But, with that many options, it can be hard to know where the best-kept secret lies.
It’s still in the ever-famous Key West. You just want to make your way over to South Beach. As one of the smallest public beaches in this stretch of paradise, it offers the feeling of a private beach. For a romantic getaway, all you have to do is set up camp beneath one of the swaying palm trees, lay back, and watch the clouds roll by.
Round Island Beach, Florida
Vero Beach is a renowned Atlantic Beach. However, if you head eight miles south, you’ll stumble upon Round Island Beach. While it’s a quieter spot to sunbathe, it’s by no means lacking in life. With walking trails, a playground, showers, restrooms, and picnic pavilions, there are plenty of ways to fill your day.
You can also rent a kayak and do some gentle sea kayaking, and if you’re curious, hop across State Road A1A to visit the Round Island Riverside Park, complete with a boardwalk and fishing pier overlooking the Indian River.
Ormond Beach, Florida
Like Round Island Beach, Ormond Beach has a compadre – Daytona Beach. While beach, car, and motorcycle enthusiasts flock to Daytona year after year, just six miles north, you’ll find the quieter shorelines of Ormond Beach.
The secret here is to book a few nights at Home2 Suites by Hilton. As you may already know, this chain offers delightful little suites with everything you need for a comfortable stay, including a kitchenette.
Every room here is oceanfront. So, from sun up to sun down, you’ll have easy access to the beach, whether you want to dip your toes in the sand, enjoy the hotel’s pool, or perch on your balcony with a good book in hand.
Amelia Island, Florida
It’s said that when Kenny Chesney is looking for a beach retreat, he heads to Amelia Island. For a man who can vacation anywhere in the world, surely this must mean something.
With over 13 miles of uncrowded, clean beaches, there are many ways to get out and play when you’re here. If you’ve ever wanted to horseback ride on the beach, this is the place to do it. It’s also easy to rent a kayak and ride the waves until you greet a dolphin or two.
For a bit of a splurge, the place to stay when you’re here is the Omni Amelia Island Resort. At the tip of the island, you’ll have easy access to white sands, personalized spa treatments, a championship golf course, and, of course, oceanfront views right from your room.
Tybee Island, Georgia
There’s no doubt that Savannah is the quintessential Southern Belle – even though Charleston chums might disagree. The next time you’re visiting Savannah, be sure to drive about 30 minutes east to beautiful Tybee Island.
While each of these Atlantic Beaches offers the most spectacular sunrises, there’s something about Tybee sunrises that will steal your heart away. The secret here is to head to the Chatham Avenue Beach Access Parking lot. There, you’ll find far fewer crowds and far greater relaxation.
Folly Beach, South Carolina
To be fair, if we’re talking Southern Belles, Charleston does deserve a tip of the cap. There’s oodles of beach access right from the heart of downtown. But, the secret here is to make your way to Folly Beach on James Island.
Just 15 minutes south of charming Charleston, you’ll find this gorgeous stretch of land nestled between Folly River and the Atlantic Ocean. It’s, quite possibly, the best of both worlds. With sunrise on Folly Beach and sunset on Folly River, what will you choose? Either way, you’re likely to meet a friendly turtle or two along the way.
Bald Head Island, North Carolina
The Outer Banks land on every list of “best beaches” and rightly so. But, since this is a list of secret beaches, let’s hop on a secret boat to an island that’s only accessible that way and prohibits motor vehicle traffic. Sounds delightful, doesn’t it?
Here, you can visit Old Baldy, the island’s very own lighthouse. At night, after you’ve watched the sun go down, you can go on a ghost walk. And, if you’re here between June and August, you can watch precious little loggerhead sea turtles nestling in for the summer before they return to sea.
Colonial Beach, Virginia
While the state motto is, “Virginia is for lovers,” it could technically be amended to, “Virginia is for beach lovers.” Like the Carolinas, Virginia has plenty of beachside relaxation on tap. Instead of heading to Virginia Beach, give Colonial Beach a try.
It’s halfway between Washington, D.C., and Richmond, making it a nice option if you want a blend of urban and seaside activities on your next getaway. Colonial Beach is noted for its peaceful tidal waters. It also has a pretty-as-a-picture downtown where you can get around by trolley or by bike before tucking into a beautiful B&B for the night.
Bowers Beach, Delaware
Here’s another area with a great motto: “The Way Life Used to Be.” Fantastic, right? Things here are so non-commercialized you won’t even find a popular hotel chain on this island. Rather, you’ll want to seek out a little bungalow to call home for your time here.
You’ll instantly feel like you’ve stepped back in time as you wander these streets. Best of all, it’s nestled between the St. Jones and Murderkill Rivers, offering plenty of waterside sports if you want to take a break from the beach.
Although a relatively peaceful and quiet getaway, there are two months of the year that people can’t stay away: May and June. This is the time when millions of Atlantic horseshoe crabs descend upon the shorelines to spawn. It’s surely not something you see every day, but it’s well worth a peek.
Betterton Beach, Maryland
With the Potomac River cutting through it, Maryland is also never short of watersports. About two hours away from Arlington, you’ll find a pristine waterfront public park.
As a five-mile bayside strand on the mouth of the Sassafras River, Betterton offers a wonderful retreat for folks who want something a little quieter than Ocean City. Like Bowers Beach, you won’t find major hotel chains here. Your best bet will be to pick up an Airbnb for a couple of nights.
This feels like a good halfway point to share 30 of the most charming spots to visit on the East Coast. Who knows what you’ll find along the way!
Barnegat Light, New Jersey
The state of New Jersey has plenty of beachfront offerings for sand seekers. Between Cape May, Wildwood, and Atlantic City, which will you choose? The secret answer to that question is neither.
Head to Long Beach Island – and not the southern tip where people flock in waves each summer. Head to the northern coast, Barnegat Light. You guessed it; there’s a beautiful lighthouse for you to photograph at sunrise as the sky spreads out a beautiful blanket of gold and pink hues.
Cooper’s Beach, New York
New Yorkers love to flock to the Hamptons in the summer – and there are many ways to go about this. With plenty of cute little hamlets and towns, it’s tough to know which vicinity to take aim at.
Cooper’s Beach is your best bet if you don’t own a home there because it’s the only public beach. Other beaches aren’t totally off-limits, you just have to secure a permit ahead of time which may feel like a bit of a hassle.
Instead, you can make your way to Cooper’s Beach for the same sugary sweet sands, peaceful atmosphere, and gorgeous views of sprawling Hamptons mansions. After you’ve enjoyed Cooper’s Beach, here are ten of the top things to do in the Hamptons.
Crescent Beach, Rhode Island
Rhode Island is such a treasure trove, with Providence, Newport, and Block Island. Although Crescent Beach is technically part of Block Island, it’s a special little stretch of sand that comprises only two-and-a-half miles of shoreline. You’ll find it in between Old Harbor and Clay Head.
At Crescent Beach, you’ll find clear waters, peaceful stretches of land, and easy access to Block Island, where you can savor some of the best seafood of your life. If you can make your way to Ballard’s Beach Resort, you’ll have a difficult time choosing between their delectable dishes as you soak up your oceanfront seating.
Woods Hole, Massachusetts
Welcome to Cape Cod, one of the most tranquil places on earth. Like the Florida Keys, you have so many options to choose from, it can be overwhelming if you’re a first-timer.
In that case, here’s the secret: book a few nights at the Woods Hole Inn, nestled into some of the cleanest, most luxurious bedding, and walk right outside your door for a gorgeous expanse of sand, as well as plenty of world-class dining options right in the heart of Woods Hole. Wherever you go, one thing that’s a must is a classic cup of clam chowder.
Barrett’s Cove, Maine
When in Maine, Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park are must-sees. You can’t escape the rugged beauty of the coastal cliffs and meandering shorelines. If you’re more of an introvert, the quiet coastal village of Camden may win over your heart.
Filled with the cutest boutiques, plenty of waterfront eateries, and beautiful Barrett’s Cove, you won’t run short on ways to fill your days. There’s also Camden Hills State Park if you’ve packed your hiking boots. And, if curiosity gets the better of you, Bar Harbor is only an hour and a half away.
Happy Sails to You
We hope you find the time to enjoy one of these beaches in the coming months. No matter what time of year you make your plans, you’re sure to enjoy a peaceful respite along these sunny shorelines.
Whether you’re taking aim at the Northeast or heading south to Florida, we have a destination guide to help you make the most of every stop along the way. Here’s hoping we can raise an umbrella drink to you in South Beach someday!