Pack your bags, 'cause were counting down some of the best beaches on the East Coast.
While there are many hidden gems on the East Coast. Among these hidden gems, there are a select few best beaches on the East Coast that you cannot skip. Before you head out to the Eastern seaboard, Check this list out this list for some of the best beaches. Here are our top picks of the best beaches on the East Coast.
1. Miami Beach, Florida
It’s no question that Miami beach is the beach to be at for a good time. Don’t let the images you see on the music videos and movies be the only images of Miami beach you encounter. Experience one of the best beaches on the East coast the next time you find yourself on the Southeastern tip of the United States. There is a lot more to do than just enjoying the nightlife that Miami Beach is so infamous for. Start your day early and find a spot on one of the clearest beaches Florida has to offer. You don’t have to fight for a great spot either. Make your way south past the tourist developments, and you will find yourself in a stretch of some of the whitest sand you have ever seen. Pitch your blanket here and call this little stretch of paradise your home base for a relaxing day at the beach.
2. Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
The end of summer means a last-minute summer trip to one of the most iconic locations on the East Coast. Martha’s Vineyard is home to some of the best beaches on the East Coast that warrants a visit. Up-island (as the locals refer to it) is an unspoiled stretch of soft sandy beach that makes the perfect family getaway to close off this year's summer chapter.
3. Anna Maria Island, Florida
Credit: Barbara Page
Make your way to the Gulf coast of Florida for one of Florida’s most hidden gems. Anna Maria Island is easily one of the best beaches on the East Coast. This beach is situated on the Gulf of Mexico and boasts beautiful, clear turquoise waters that will have you thinking about extending your stay. The soft, white sand underneath your toes is unlike any other sand you have encountered in your life. More or less it’s like stepping on powdered sugar that squeaks beneath your toes. If you come at the right time, you might find yourself swimming with a fever of stingrays or a school of tropical fish. Once you are done relaxing on the beach, make your way towards the pier for an intimate stroll with your significant other.
We recommend booking your vacation late in the late spring or early summer so you can beat the humid summer heat. No matter what time you choose to come, you are sure to find a little patch of the island to call your own.
4. Ocracoke Island beach, North Carolina
Ocracoke Island Beach is another one of North Carolina’s best beaches on the East Coast. Oakbrook Island Beach is part of the Cape Hatteras national seashore. Minimal development has happened here allowing for Ocracoke Island Beach to remain pristine beach destination with little to no imprint of tourism. For bird watchers, this is the place you want to come to. the wetlands here are home to some of the East Coast most exotic birds, turtles, and other aquatic sea life. Bring along your boogie board and your Sandcastle building equipment because this is the perfect beach for families to come hang out at and relax. If you are looking to spend a lazy summer afternoon, then Ocracoke Island Beach is the beach for you.
5. Myrtle Beach South Carolina
Credit: James Willamor
Maybe it’s the fact that it’s the Eastern sea board's most popular beach destination. Or maybe it’s the fact that Myrtle Beach South Carolina is the perfect getaway for Family. Though the reason may not be clear, one thing is. It is no question that this 60 mile long beach resort is one of the best beaches on the East Coast. From touring lighthouses to catching crabs to having some of the best seafood in the nation, Myrtle Beach is a beach that should not be ignored. The best way to experience this beach is to come for a week and rent out one of the many rental properties available right on the oceanfront. With a variety of restaurants that offer live entertainment and freshly caught food, you can’t go wrong because there’s something for everyone. We recommend visiting this iconic beach at the end of spring and start of summer. By the time mid-summer rolls around, the theme parks and water parks are teaming with locals and tourists alike as they try to get a little slice of summer heaven.
6. The Cove, New Jersey
Skip the Jersey shore and make your way to the Cove in Cape May New Jersey. The Cove is one of the best beaches on the East Coast because it is a muted down version of the wild nightlife of the Jersey shore. Come out and enjoy exciting water activities such as surfing, kayaking, and jet skiing. This up-and-coming beach is sure to be a hotspot for beachgoers in the near future and beyond.
7. Duck, North Carolina
Credit: Flickr
This is the place to go if you want to live out a plot from one of Nicholas Spark’s romance novels. This upscale resort town in Duck, North Carolina is the perfect place to get away with family or a loved one. Enjoy the peace and upscale luxury Duck has to offer. This unique town sits on a strip of barrier islands where your can get two different experiences. There are sand dunes that line one side of the island while gentle waves splash against the other. If you are looking to get away from high-end hotels and tourist developments, then this place is for you. The lack of touristy things makes Duck, North Carolina one of the best beaches on the East Coast. Relive a scene from any Nicholas Sparks novel by walking along the sand dunes. And before you leave, be sure to wake up early to watch the sun rise across the Atlantic.
8. Hyannis, Massachusetts
Spend a summer like the Kennedys by visiting Hyannis, Massachusetts. This location is home to some of the best beaches on the East Coast. The homey feel and laid-back atmosphere of the town are a big draw to visitors here. Hyannis has a desired and sought after vibe for many travelers and tourists who call this place home during the summer. Enjoy water activities such as windsurfing and jet skiing in some of the cleanest beaches the East Coast has to offer.
9. Kiawah Island, South Carolina
For the nature enthusiast who is looking for some fun in the sun then this next island is one of the best beaches on the East Coast. There is a little over 10,000 acres of natural woodland on Kiawah Island that is just waiting to be explored. Pack along a tent and set up camp on this nearly isolated island and enjoy some much-needed sun and sand. If you need to get back into town to replenish your supplies, Charleston is just a short drive away. Kiawah is one of the best beaches in South Carolina that cannot be ignored.
9. Virginia Beach, Virginia
Bring along the whole family and come to spend a day or two at Virginia Beach. This 3-mile long beach front is the destination to go to if you are looking for a romantic getaway or a place to take the whole family. There is a little bit here for everyone at one of the best beaches on the East Coast. The boardwalk provides the perfect place to bring along a jogging stroller, rollerblades, or bike. If you get a chance, make your way inland and visit the famous Captain George’s for unlimited crab legs and other freshly caught seafood. Catch the waves at the right time and you’ve got the perfect place for surfing and boogie boarding too.
10. Siesta Keys, Florida
Siesta Keys is hands-down one of the best beaches on the East Coast. The clear blue waters and the white sandy beach will have you feeling like you are vacationing in the Bahamas. While the central part of the beach is likely to be packed all summer long, you can still escape the cowds. Make your way south or north away from the crowds and you’ll find a stretch of sand that you can call your own. If the tide is right, the water can be a real treat. It can get shallow enough that you can walk for a while without getting waist deep into the water. Bring along your snorkel gear and you might get lucky enough and catch sight of a tropical fish or two.
11. Crescent Beach, Florida
This next beach is a sister beach of Siesta Keys. Its beauty makes it undoubtedly one of the best beaches on the East Coast. The beach gets its name from its unusual shape on the coastline. The fine white quartz sand makes it the ideal location to build a sandcastle or lounge around on the shore. When you do get to the ocean, crystal clear turquoise waters great you. It would be worth your money to rent out a jet ski or kayak to explore the cool Gulf waters.
12. Bowman’s Beach, Sanibel, Florida
This next beach is for seashell enthusiast. Bowman's beach in Sanibel Florida is one of the best beaches on the East Coast for you to visit. The island is legendary for its shelling history. Not only that, but the beach is isolated and relaxing. If you are trying to steer clear of high-rise hotel and the developed footprint of tourism, You're in luch. This beach is isolated enough that tourist development is non-existant. then this beach is for you. Just be forewarned, if you are willing to take the quarter-mile hike needed to get to this beach, then the reward is surely worth it.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are getting your family together or booking that romantic getaway, the East Coast has got you covered. There is a beach for every type of traveler on our wonderful Eastern seaboard. Find the one that is right for you and get your bags packed for some lazy lounging on the beach.
Related Article: The 10 Best Beaches to Visit in Michigan This Summer
