Sometimes you just want to get away from the crowds and noise. Busy beaches can honestly be stressful, especially when you’re hoping for a calm spot to relax and recharge.
There are quiet stretches of sand all over the U.S. where you can finally breathe. Whether you want to read, wander, or just listen to the waves, you’ll find hidden gems perfect for a peaceful beach escape.
11. Roger Wheeler State Beach, Rhode Island
This sandy beach originally had another name but it was changed to the Roger Wheeler State Beach in 1970 to recognize Captain Roger Wheeler who was the founder of the Rhode Island State Life Saving System (think lifeguards!).
The beach is popular thanks to its calm waters, something that isn’t always guaranteed along the Atlantic coast. It’s great for families who just want to splash and paddle and aren’t up for being thrown around by the waves or looking to do any surfing.
Other reasons families particularly love this beach spot is the playground and beach pavilion that has a fantastic education section on conservation and protecting the environment. There’s a car park right next to the beach, but bear in mind it can get busy!
10. Papohaku Beach, Molokai, Hawaii
One of the longest beaches on Molokai, Papohaku Beach is the place to go to enjoy some privacy. The beach runs for three miles and its width provides seemingly endless opportunities to find your own patch of sand.
After wandering along the lengthy shore, adding footprints to the sand, settle on a spot and enjoy the views across the channel to Oahu. Those with a keen eye may even be able to spot Diamond Head.
Papohaku Beach has all the amenities you need from bathrooms and showers to picnic tables. You’ll want to stick around for the beach’s amazing west-facing sunsets and you can even camp out overnight.
9. Nauset Beach, Massachusetts
Not to be outdone, Nauset Beach also has extensive swathes of sand and excellent outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy. Stretching a staggering ten miles or more in length, it sprawls along a huge part of Cape Cod’s east coast.
As it extends endlessly into the distance, the beach never gets crowded with many picturesque parts being almost deserted. Consequently, you can take as much space as you like and swim and splash about til your heart’s content.
At its entrance in Orleans, you can find public bathrooms and changing rooms with food stands and lifeguards also featured in summer. Some great fishing and surfing can also be enjoyed at the beach that sometimes has seals sunning themselves on its sands.
8. Padre Island National Seashore, Texas
Featuring 70 miles of untouched sand and rolling dunes, the Padre Island National Seashore is like no other place in Texas. The seashore spans one of the longest undeveloped barrier islands on earth, making this both an excellent place for a day at the beach, and a haven for nature lovers.
Where other beaches have easy access to midday lunches and golden hour cocktails, Padre Island National Seashore is far more remote. For most visitors, they wouldn’t change a thing. This is the place where we take a step back and let mother nature be the star of the show.
Beyond sunbathing and swimming, you can kayak along the rugged shoreline and snorkel in Laguna Madre. Bird watchers will also be excited to spot as many of the island’s 300 bird species as they can.
7. Sandbridge Beach, Virginia
You only have to ask one local to learn just how beloved Sandbridge Beach is among residents. Virginia Beach may bring in the travelers, but the remote sands of Sandbridge offer one of the best beach days in the state.
Tucked away on the Currituck Banks Peninsula, Sandbridge Beach is often compared to the resplendent beauty of North Carolina’s Outer Banks. For good reason too, thanks to the similarity of landscapes and lack of hotels.
Sandbridge is 4.5 miles long and has lifeguards spread throughout during the summer months. To combine a beach day with park amenities, you’ll also have access to Little Island Park at the south end of the beach, along with False Cape State Park.
6. Popham Beach State Park, Maine
If on your trip to Maine you are looking to avoid crowds of people then the untouched and unspoiled Popham Beach State Park is the place to go. As well as some amazing sand and surf, it offers all kinds of fun outdoor activities.
Lying on a peninsula between the Morse River, Atkins Bay and Atlantic, its sweeping sands stretch over three miles in total. Besides exploring its ever-changing landscapes, visitors can swim and surf or kayak along the shore.
Although the beach almost disappears at high tide, you can even walk out to the nearby Fox Island when the ocean retreats again. With countless cottages to rent on the peninsula, the scenic state park certainly warrants a longer visit.
5. North Beach, Tybee Island, Georgia
When travelers arrive on Tybee Island, many flock to the popular South Beach. But not only is North Beach larger, without the crowds it offers more room to breathe plus a very convenient location. The wide open beach offers golden sand laden with interesting shells, great swimming with shops, restaurants and sights close by.
As you lay on the beach, you’ll see the island’s famous undulating dunes fringe upon the sand. It complements the ocean to provide a lovely view whichever way you look. At lunch hour, you’ll be just a short walk into the local township for a feed. After, enjoy a leisurely stroll to the oldest (and tallest) lighthouse in Georgia, the Tybee Island Light Station which also has a museum.
4. Fenwick Island State Park, Delaware
This incredible state park offers its visitors three miles worth of stunning beaches and access to the Little Assawoman Bay. It is also home to a World War II-era fire control tower that once played a part in protecting the Delaware coastline from invaders.
There’s a handy bathhouse with showers, changing rooms, and a snack bar! Another winning trait of the beaches at Fenwick Island State Park is that they are wheelchair accessible, so everyone can enjoy the beach – as it should be!
Whilst you’re here you can kayak or paddleboard in Assawoman Bay, or go on a big adventure and sail out into the Atlantic. If you had something a little more chill in mind, spend the day sunbathing on a sandy beach instead.
3. Dauphin Island Public Beach, Alabama
This island beach is situated at the west end of Dauphin Island, luckily you can still drive there despite its island location. Remote and vast, the long stretch of beach has plenty of space for everyone and is generally not crowded.
Even on a busy day though, there’s enough space for everyone to spread out and enjoy some peace and quiet – bring a good book! It’s situated along the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail, so there’s lots of great bird watching.
The white sand and clear blue waters are perfect for sunbathing and snorkeling. The beach isn’t just a favorite amongst tourists either, the locals love it too. Come on down and meet some local Alabama folk!
2. Grand Isle State Park, Louisiana
This stunning beach is in fact the only state park in Louisiana along the Gulf of Mexico! The park is in the little fishing village of Grand Isle, which hosts exciting annual events like the Grand Isle Migratory Bird Festival and International Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo.
The wildlife here is great; there are lots of migratory birds that call this little island home for part of the year and the shoals of redfish and tarpon make it a prime spot for fishing. Keep a lookout for stingrays and jellyfish when you’re in the water though!
The park is just two hours south of New Orleans, so if you’re on a city break you could always escape the hustle and bustle for the day and come and relax here instead. If you decide you want to stay a little longer, make the most of the beachfront camping!
1. Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina
Known as the beach where surfing became popular in North Carolina, Wrightsville Beach remains as popular as ever. Minutes from Wilmington, beachgoers will find ideal waves for breaking out the surfboard plus consistent winds for kiteboarding.
Owing to its history, you’ll also be able to get surf lessons or rent a board on the beach to join in on the fun. Surfers and swimmers are separated, allowing the rest to enjoy the crystal clear, jade-blue waters in peace under the watchful eye of the resident lifeguards.