Top 10 US Beaches
10. Honolulu, Hawaii
Oahu is the most popular tourist destination in Hawaii and its sprawling, white-sand beaches are to thank. Scattered throughout the island's coastline, you'll find several highly praised shorelines, including the resort-heavy Waikiki Beach, where the safe swimming conditions cater to families. The island of Oahu has many great beaches, but it gets a little technical when you talk about where they’re actually located. The City and County of Honolulu actually contains of the entire island of Oahu, so when you talk about beaches in Honolulu, it kind of depends. Locals would probably consider Honolulu beaches the ones that are in Waikiki and around that area, so this post will focus on beaches on the south shore of Oahu.
9. Topsail Island, NC
Situated at the southern end of Topsail Island, off the coast of southeastern North Carolina, the Town of Topsail Beach is the smallest of the three communities located on the 26-mile long island. North Topsail Beach occupies the northernmost section, and Surf City, the largest town on the island, is in the center. The Island is just off US Highway 17, about half-way between Wilmington and Jacksonville. Topsail Island has a rich and varied history. Topsail Island is a 26-mile (41.8 km) long barrier island off the coast of North Carolina, USA just south of Camp Lejeune, the Bogue Banks, and the Outer Banks. It contains the communities of North Topsail Beach, Surf City and Topsail Beach. Along with its thick maritime forests, Topsail Island is also a sanctuary for sea turtles and known for its beautiful beaches. The island lies in Onslow County in the north, and in Pender County in the south. There are only two ways on and off the island: the first is a high rise bridge on the North End and the second is a swing bridge into Surf City.
8. Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Some travelers consider Fort Lauderdale a laid-back alternative to Miami Beach. Stretching across 23 miles, Fort Lauderdale Beach boasts plenty of relaxing real estate to go around. Should you crave a more rowdy night scene, South Beach is just a quick drive down Route 1A. Fort Lauderdale is famous for its beaches, arts, culture and events. From shopping on Las Olas Boulevard, to gondola rides on the canals, to a historic riverfront. Just two miles north of Port Everglades, you can experience a landscaped beachfront promenade, with its signature white wave wall and brick paved path. Across the street, visit luxury hotels, and enjoy shopping or dining or a narrated 90-minute amphibious tour of quaint Las Olas Boulevard, historical districts, and the mansions and yachts dotting Millionaires Row. Stop at the Stranahan House, a preserved 1900s home furnished with antiques of the era. Or "follow the red brick road" of Riverwalk, the landscaped park, to the Arts and Entertainment District. Trying to stay fit? Dive into the Atlantic, hike into the Everglades or enjoy a workout and healthy fare at a resort spa.
7. South Padre Island, TX
Beachfront hotels and affordable nightlife make South Padre Island a go-to spot for 20-somethings on spring break in March and early April. But for the rest of the year, SPI's sparkling ocean water and wide beaches beckon calmer crowds. Kiteboarding and windsurfing are two of the most popular ways for visitors to get out on the water.
6. Hilton Head, SC
With its pristine beaches, this South Carolina retreat attracts East Coasters looking for golden sands with a hint of luxury. Coligny Beach touts a shopping area and plenty of dining options, but you'll find fewer crowds and better swimming conditions at the calmer Alder Lane. This boot-shaped sea island is truly a paradise nestled along the South Carolina coast. From beautiful beaches and world-class golf courses, from exceptional restaurants to high-energy water sports, Hilton Head truly has something for everyone. Whether you’re here for an extended family vacation or a quick romantic getaway, there are all kinds of events and activities to check out, from fun festivals to kayak explorations. In May, the options are truly limitless. Our average daily high temperature is 82 degrees with abundant sunshine. A day trip to Savannah or Beaufort, both a 45-minute drive from Hilton Head, can make a perfect getaway to enjoy our neighbors. Cherish every magical moment on Hilton Head Island, from sunrise to sunset and beyond.
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5. Outer Banks, NC
OBX's largely undeveloped landscape means you'll have plenty of unobstructed photo ops. While many beaches lack lifeguards, the surf is usually calm enough for swimmers of all levels. (Always check swimming conditions before entering the water.) A 130-mile stretch of barrier islands just off the coast of North Carolina, the Outer Banks is a different kind of place. Beautifully natural, formed by centuries of wind, water and sand blown from the Atlantic Ocean, and home to a rich history, it's a place that inspires a true sense of adventure. From Duck down to Hatteras, each town and island along the banks offers some of the most unique places to visit in North Carolina. And this is where it starts. Get familiar with the lay of the land. Discover the Outer Banks. And then come experience them for yourself. For more than two centuries, lighthouses have guarded the Outer Banks coast. Generations of seaborne travelers and mariners have sought the comfort of these beacons' reassuring light as they navigated perilous channels and shoals that mark the Graveyard of the Atlantic. Perhaps that is why these sentinels, among the tallest in America, have come to serve as beacons of hope and inspiration.
4. Miami Beach, Florida
Miami Beach caters to both the party-hungry and the relaxation-seeking beachgoer. You can spend your days soaking up the rays at Lummus Park in South Beach or lounge on the quieter sands of Haulover Beach Park (but beware, this stretch of shoreline is clothing optional). Come nightfall, you can revel in seaside entertainment. Miami Beach, Florida's picturesque winter playground, has blossomed into a sophisticated community that’s full of visitors no matter the season.
Read a book or chat with your travel companion on the edge of the beach. Wake up in a world-class accommodation - a boutique hotel in a restored deco building or an oceanfront resort. Later, visit museums and take a walk, or a jog, in a park with 360-degree views of the Atlantic Ocean. Shop at your favorite stores and discover unique boutiques with the perfect clothes, accessories, or home goods to take home and remember your trip by. Play eighteen holes at a nearby golf course. The food is spectacular; the seafood caught daily. If you're ready to turn in early after a day at the spa, we understand, but if your night is just starting when the sun goes down, there's a party every night.
Stop imagining and book a trip to Miami Beach.
Miami Beach has it all. This beach destination has evolved into an urban metropolis with all the amenities of a beach-town and a big city, a thriving arts scene and a busy business center, the best hotels in the world are surrounded by natural wonderland with turquoise waters and skyscraper palms. Visit Miami Beach and have a dozen vacations in one. It's your dream vacation.
3. Destin, Florida
Stunning white beaches, challenging golf and world-famous fishing define the Emerald Coast city of Destin. Snuggled against the Gulf of Mexico in northwest Florida, Destin is rightfully famed for its sugar-white sands and emerald-hued waters. And due to its plentiful and always hungry underwater population, Destin is widely known as the "world’s luckiest fishing village." Destin also harbors world-class resorts and rentals – and some of the best shopping and dining anywhere. And something new: The recently opened Northwest Florida Regional Airport makes it easy to reach this Florida Panhandle vacation destination.
2. US Virgin Islands
This Caribbean getaway has everything you'd want in an American beach destination. The island of St. Thomas has a shore for every beachgoer, plus access to plenty of water sports. St. John's beaches are harder to reach, but you'll be rewarded with fewer crowds. One of the world's most beautiful, this breathtaking bay, Magens Bay St. Thomas is ideal for swimming and snorkeling with all the conveniences of parking, lifeguards, equipment rental, freshwater showers, restaurants and bars.
1. Maui, Hi
Travelers flock to Maui for its diverse attractions and unforgettable geography, but its bountiful beaches are another major selling point. Be sure to check out the burgundy-hued sands of Kaihalulu, and if you want to try your hand at surfing, visit Ho'okipa Beach. Maui is a leading whale-watching center in the Hawaiian Islands due to Humpback Whales wintering in the sheltered ʻAuʻau Channel between the islands of Maui County. The whales migrate approximately 3,500 miles (5,600 km) from Alaskan waters each autumn and spend the winter months mating and birthing in the warm waters off Maui, with most leaving by the end of April. The whales are typically sighted in pods: small groups of several adults, or groups of a mother, her calf, and a few suitors. Humpbacks are an endangered species protected by U.S. federal and Hawaii state law. There are estimated to be about 10,000 humpbacks in the North Pacific.
