The 8 Best Beaches on the East Coast, From Miami to Maine
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The best beaches on the East Coast prove that you need not venture to the Caribbean or to the even further reaches of Southeast Asia to get your fix of fun in the sun. And though even domestic comparisons of America's starboard side to its West Coast counterparts may inspire some skepticism, we assure you that East Coast beaches can throw down with the best of them—Miami's South Beach pulses with the same energy flowing through the clubbiest of European beach towns, and the Outer Banks in North Carolina bestows a largesse of natural beauty upon its visitors, from galloping herds of the region's wild horses to the surfer's waves that beat against its shores.
Whether you're looking for a sunny spot your intrepid crew can explore together, or an idyllic stretch of sand where you can find respite, or the inspiration to pen the next Great American novel, our picks for the best beaches on the East Coast have you covered.
Alexander Spatari/GettySouth Beach in Miami, Florida
Spanning a generous 15 city blocks, Miami's hallmark beach welcomes any and all to enjoy its reality-TV christened shores. While you could spend all day playing amateur anthropologist, walking the coast and bearing witness to all the wonderfully strange things your fellow beachgoers get up to, be sure to hit up Lummus Park for the beach's real highlight. Settled between Ocean Drive's fifth and 15th streets, this spit of sand is a popular local haunt for beach volleyball and working on your tan on the Bahamas-white sand (which is regularly flown in to maintain the beach).
Stay here: When you're looking to retire from South Beach's party life, look no further than 1 Hotel South Beach, a nature-inspired property with its own private beachfront that whisks guests away from the chock-a-block Art Deco stays that typically line the beach and into airy and light-filled interiors punctuated with lush greenery.
Daniela Duncan/GettyKiawah Island, South Carolina
A stone's throw away from the mainland, Kiawah Island is a day trip from Charleston you don't want to miss. While the majority of this barrier island is privately owned, Beachwalker Park on Kiawah's southern end is open to the public. The park has all the standard fare on offer for rental—umbrellas, loungers, and wheelchairs—and it's the kind of place you go to, to go back to the basics. Take off your shoes and feel the soft sands on your soles as great blue herons crest above you, or if you're feeling more active, bring your bike or a kayak.
Stay here: A long-running recipient of Condé Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards, Hotel Bennett in Charleston is one of the loftier stays in the city, and one of the tallest at nine stories. Make your way up to the rooftop pool and bar for unmatched views of the lower peninsula and perhaps a peek of Kiawah Island on the horizon. On the island itself, there's also perennial RCA favorite The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort.
Denis Tangney Jr/GettyCape Cod, Massachusetts
Hanging off the hook of Massachusetts's eastern arm, Cape Cod is where life thrives in the smallest of places. While rocky shores may not be everyone's cup of tea, peering into tide pools opens up a micro-world populated with starfish, razor clams, hermit crabs, and candy-colored anemone. Or if you're looking for majesty in scale, plan a trip between June and October to wave to arcing whales as they make their journeys across the Atlantic. Along the handsome landscape of sandy dunes and rugged shoreline, dine on the savory fruits of the ocean in a po' boy or chowder and admire the surroundings that have inspired the likes of Henry David Thoreau and Tennessee Williams.
Stay here: There are plenty of lovely Cape Cod hotels. One favorite is Coonamessett Inn, which provides a true taste of old Cape Cod, dressed in shiplap and dainty wallpaper and tied together with rustic pine accents. The inn is a oft-booked wedding venue in the area, as its romantic view of the coast makes it easy to fall in love with—well—falling in love.
Ferrantraite/GettyOuter Banks, North Carolina
Wind-whipped summer climes plus a central location along the coast make for the Outer Banks's ideal surfing conditions, a pleasantly surprising bonus to a beach on this side of the country—and get used to it—because when it comes to the marvelously unexpected, the Outer Banks is brimming. In the same visit, you might catch a herd of wild horses running about the grounds and examine a historic shipwreck resting beneath swarming schools of fish while snorkeling. On your way down the Outer Banks Scenic Byway, you'll find towering dunes that rise nearly to the height of some of the region's storied lighthouses. This is a destination for nature lovers wishing to immerse themselves in an ecosystem that balances all walks, swims, and flights of life.
Stay here: This three-bed rental in Duck Beach is great for those planning a completely car-free visit as it sits both steps away from the beach and downtown Duck. And with a wraparound porch and a pet-friendly policy, why not invite the whole family?
Patrick Donovan/GettyOgunquit Beach, Maine
This Maine beach provides the convenience and culture of the neighboring town with the to-yourself sense of respite of a not too busy beach. With 3.5 miles of custard smooth sands that are still sturdy enough to bike on, Ogunquit Beach is a perennial family destination beloved for its soft surf that welcomes first time beachgoers and surf rats alike. Footbridge Beach, in the middle of the sandy stretch, has public amenities such as restrooms and changing rooms, as well as gift shops and snack bars for treats and tchotchkes to hit the road with.
Stay here: Dunes on the Waterfront is a sprawling 12-acre property that perches right on the water. The ultimate gift of privacy starts to unwrap on the journey there, along a road tucked away from the main byway behind the famed Ogunquit Lobster Pound and the shade of tall pine trees.
Denis Tangney Jr/GettyMyrtle Beach, South Carolina
Disclaimer: As Myrtle Beach responds to the impact of the recent fires, it is critical for travelers to research affected areas of the city and be mindful of the recovery process.
This quintessential East Coast beach town infuses the area with its infectious energy. You're likely to rub shoulders with college students on spring break and local families on weekend trips. Whether you're looking for a ride on the 187-foot-tall SkyWheel, or some time on the green, everything just feels better in the balmy 70s and 80s South Carolina enjoys come springtime.
Stay here: For a home base that offers both a spot of seclusion and a favorable location central to downtown Myrtle Beach, book a stay at Island Vista Resort. It's a doubly fitting option for parties with picky eaters or those with dietary restrictions as the one-bedroom suites include full kitchens. There are also ample options in the realm of Myrtle Beach Airbnbs.
Michael Warren/GettyCanaveral National Seashore in New Smyrna Beach, Florida
This beach marks the longest stretch of undeveloped coastline in all of Florida, and its untouched beauty was certainly one of the major deciding factors in naming the Space Coast one of the best places to go in 2025. Toast in celebration of the Caribbean-esque weather with a one or two (or a few) glasses of biodynamic wine from Daley Trade, and if you're feeling peckish, grab yourself a fresh-baked baguette and jars of homemade jam while you're there. The lazy beach town vibes and overflowing abundance of verdant greens redefine the archetype of the Florida beach.
Stay here: Located an hour away by car in Orlando, the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort is a pull-all-the-stops kind of stay. From the 30,000 crystals making up the lobby's chandelier to the Michelin-rated Spanish-style steakhouse Capa, this is just the place to say “yes” to your heart's content after a languid day spent at the beach.
GettyCape May, New Jersey
The red, white, and blue of New Jersey's Cape May are as American as Bruce Springsteen's, “Born in the USA.” Instead of heading north to the Hamptons this summer, city dwellers ought to consider road tripping to Jersey's southernmost peninsula where they'll find just as many stately Victorian mansions, quaint clapboard hotels, and white picket completing the postcard picture of a quiet white sand beach. While being seated over three hours away from the city disqualifies Cape May from consideration as a beach near New York City, we insist the journey is worth it, as the Broadway boogie woogie of the block grid tranquilly transitions to the cedar and wildflower-lined highways where hummingbirds fill the local airspace.
Stay here: Truly yearning for a space that exudes that Hamptons feel? Congress Hall holds the answer in its 19th-century colonnade and presidential-worthy lawns overlooking the beach. Established in 1816 by founder Thomas H. Hughes, the hotel also claims the title of, “America's first seaside resort.”
