Quick answer: Some of the best beaches in the USA are Hanalei Bay and the north shore of Kauai in Hawaii, Kaanapali on Maui, Siesta Beach and Destin in Florida, Coronado and El Matador in California, Shi Shi Beach in Washington, Seaside in Oregon, Moshup Beach on Martha’s Vineyard, Ocracoke Island in North Carolina and Chicago’s Oak Street Beach on Lake Michigan. Summer, roughly June to August, is peak beach season in most of the country, but Hawaii and Florida can be visited all year.
The United States has beaches on the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, the Gulf of Mexico and even the Great Lakes, from tropical Hawaiian bays to rugged Pacific Northwest coves. With so many choices, it helps to know what each beach is best for: calm water for children, surf, wildlife, scenery or a lively town. The 12 picks below cover a wide range.
An earlier version of this article said its list was based on a U.S. News ranking. This version is our own selection, based on each beach’s character and facilities, and it does not reproduce any publication’s ranking.
The best beaches in the USA
1. Hanalei Bay, Kauai (Hawaii)
Hanalei Bay is a wide crescent of sand on Kauai’s north shore, framed by green mountains and waterfalls. Kauai is quieter than Oahu or Maui, and the bay rarely feels crowded. In summer the water is usually calm enough for swimming, stand-up paddleboarding and boating; in winter large surf rolls in and the bay is better left to experienced surfers.
2. Siesta Beach, Siesta Key (Florida)
Siesta Beach near Sarasota, on Florida’s Gulf coast, is famous for its powder-soft sand, which is almost pure quartz and stays cool underfoot even on hot days. The beach is wide, so it rarely feels packed. It has been named the best beach in the US by coastal scientist Stephen Leatherman (“Dr. Beach”), most recently in 2017. Kayaks and paddleboards can be rented nearby. Glass containers are not allowed on the beach.
3. Coronado Beach, San Diego (California)
Coronado Beach, in front of the historic Hotel del Coronado, is one of Southern California’s best-known beaches. Its sand sparkles because it contains flecks of the mineral mica. The wide, gentle beach is good for families, sandcastles and kite flying. The Hotel del Coronado appeared in the 1959 Marilyn Monroe film Some Like It Hot, and US Navy SEALs, who train at the nearby naval base, can sometimes be seen exercising at the north end of the beach.
4. Moshup Beach, Martha’s Vineyard (Massachusetts)
Martha’s Vineyard fills with holidaymakers in summer, but many stay near the island’s busier towns. Moshup Beach, in the town of Aquinnah at the island’s south-western tip, sits below colourful clay cliffs and feels far from the crowds. The town was formerly called Gay Head; its Wampanoag name, Aquinnah, was officially restored in 1997. Parking near the beach is limited and charged, so arrive early or use the island bus.
5. Seaside Beach (Oregon)
Cannon Beach, with its famous Haystack Rock, may be Oregon’s best-known beach, but nearby Seaside is a classic, family-friendly beach town. A long beachfront promenade runs past shops, cafés and arcades, and the town is known for saltwater taffy. Surfing, cycling, kite flying and long walks are popular. The Pacific here is cold, so bring a wetsuit if you want to swim or surf. (An earlier version of this article said parts of The Goonies were filmed in Seaside; the film’s best-known locations are in nearby Astoria and Cannon Beach.)
6. El Matador State Beach, Malibu (California)
El Matador is a small beach in western Malibu, known for its dramatic sea stacks, rock arches and caves. It is reached by a steep path and stairs from a small clifftop car park, so wear sturdy shoes and carry only what you need. The beach is narrow, so check the tides before you go. Zuma Beach and Point Dume are a few miles away along the Pacific Coast Highway. Sunrise and sunset are especially beautiful here.
7. Kaanapali Beach, Maui (Hawaii)
Kaanapali is a long stretch of golden sand in West Maui, lined with resorts, restaurants and surf schools. At its north end is Pu’u Keka’a (Black Rock), where a cliff diver lights torches and dives into the sea at sunset, re-enacting a famous leap by Kahekili, a chief who ruled Maui in the late 1700s. The water around Black Rock is popular for snorkelling in calm conditions.
In August 2023, wildfires destroyed much of the nearby town of Lahaina. West Maui reopened to visitors from October 2023, and the Kaanapali resorts are operating, but parts of Lahaina remain closed. Be respectful of the local community and check current access before you travel.
8. Ocracoke Island, Outer Banks (North Carolina)
Ocracoke Island, near the southern end of North Carolina’s Outer Banks, is reached by ferry and has long, undeveloped beaches within Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The island was a haunt of the pirate Blackbeard, who was killed in a battle off Ocracoke in 1718. Today it is a quiet place for swimming, shelling, fishing and cycling, with a small village by the harbour.
9. Shi Shi Beach, Olympic National Park (Washington)
Shi Shi Beach, on Washington’s wild Pacific coast, is known for its sea stacks and the rock arches of Point of Arches at its southern end. At low tide, tide pools reveal sea stars, anemones, crabs and kelp. It is not a sunbathing beach, but it is one of the most dramatic on the West Coast.
The trailhead is on the Makah Reservation, so you need a Makah Recreation Pass, sold in Neah Bay or online. The walk is about 4 miles each way to Point of Arches, mostly flat with a steep descent to the beach. Overnight camping needs an Olympic National Park wilderness permit and a bear-proof food canister, and you must camp above the high-tide line.
10. Oak Street Beach, Chicago (Illinois)
Beaches are not only for ocean towns. Oak Street Beach, on Lake Michigan at the edge of Chicago’s Gold Coast neighbourhood, is one of the city’s most popular places to sunbathe, with volleyball, a beachside restaurant and a striking view of the downtown skyline. The city’s beaches are staffed by lifeguards during the summer swimming season, roughly from late May to early September.
11. Kauai’s north and west shores (Hawaii)
Beyond Hanalei Bay, Kauai has some of Hawaii’s most spectacular beaches. Tunnels Beach and Ke’e Beach on the north shore and Polihale State Park on the west side all offer views of the Na Pali coast. Ke’e Beach is inside Haena State Park, where most non-residents must book an entry pass and a shuttle or parking slot in advance. Summer is the best time for swimming, because winter surf on the north shore can be dangerous.
12. Destin (Florida)
Destin, on the Florida Panhandle, is known for its white sand and emerald-green water. Henderson Beach State Park offers dunes and nature trails, and Grayton Beach State Park lies a short drive to the east. Crab Island, a shallow sandbar inside East Pass in Choctawhatchee Bay, is a popular boating hangout that can be reached only by boat; do not try to swim to it, because of strong currents and heavy boat traffic. Deep water lies close to shore, which is why Destin calls itself the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village”.
The best US beaches at a glance
| Beach | State | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Hanalei Bay | Hawaii | Scenery, summer swimming |
| Siesta Beach | Florida | Soft white sand, families |
| Coronado Beach | California | Families, classic hotel |
| Moshup Beach | Massachusetts | Clay cliffs, quieter island beach |
| Seaside | Oregon | Beach town, promenade |
| El Matador | California | Sea stacks, photography |
| Kaanapali | Hawaii | Resorts, snorkelling, sunset cliff dive |
| Ocracoke | North Carolina | Undeveloped beaches, history |
| Shi Shi Beach | Washington | Hiking, tide pools |
| Oak Street Beach | Illinois | City beach on Lake Michigan |
| Kauai’s north and west shores | Hawaii | Na Pali views |
| Destin | Florida | Emerald water, boating, fishing |
Planning a US beach trip from India
- Visa: Indian citizens need a US visitor visa (B-1/B-2) for tourism. Interview waiting times can be long, so apply well before your trip through the US Embassy and consulates in India.
- Season: June to August is peak season on most mainland beaches. Hawaii and Florida are warm all year, but the Atlantic hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November.
- Safety: swim near lifeguards, obey beach flags and warnings about rip currents, and check tide times before visiting beaches such as El Matador and Shi Shi.
Want more detail on a particular state? See our guides to the best beaches in Hawaii, Florida’s best beaches, Oregon’s best beaches and North Carolina’s best beaches.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit US beaches?
For most mainland beaches, summer (June to August). Hawaii and Florida can be visited all year, though winter brings big surf to Hawaii’s north shores and the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November.
Which US beach is best for families?
Siesta Beach in Florida and Coronado Beach in California are wide, gentle and well served by facilities. Hanalei Bay is good for families in summer, when the water is calm.
Do you need a permit to visit Shi Shi Beach?
Yes. A Makah Recreation Pass is needed to park and use the trail, and overnight campers also need an Olympic National Park wilderness permit and a bear-proof food canister.
Is Kaanapali open after the Lahaina fire?
Yes. West Maui reopened to visitors from October 2023 and the Kaanapali resorts are operating, but parts of Lahaina town remain closed. Check current access and be respectful of the local community.
Details checked in October 2026 against National Park Service and state park information, the Hawaii Tourism Authority and Haena State Park booking site, and local tourism and news reporting. Access rules, fees and conditions change, so check before you travel.
