As summer gets closer, time to consider what beaches are really worth a visit. How about the best beaches in the USA? We have discussed the best beaches in North Carolina, but all of the US, wow! I am sure there are some that you would expect like beaches in Hawaii and California. But, guess what state also made the list? You got that right, North Carolina!
Travel and Leisure share their 25 best beaches in the USA and North Carolina and South Carolina made the list. From soft, white sand to great blue water these beaches are a must-visit this summer. Add these U.S. beaches to your summer travel bucket list. Some far, some closer to home it’s going to be a great time. Check out the 25 best beaches in the US with this Travel and Leisure list.
Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina
That’s right, Wrightsville made the list! Visit Wrightsville Beach and enjoy this quaint little beach town in North Carolina. Enjoy beach bars and live music to take your relaxing vacation to a great night full of fun.
@realzacharykeesee One of the most popular destinations in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. #northcarolina #nc #outerbanks #wrightsvillebeach #wilmington #uncw
♬ je te laisserai des mots - favsounddsColigny Beach Park, Hilton Head, South Carolina
As a SC native, I understand why Hilton Head is on the list 100%! Coligny Beach offers tons of amenities including showers, gazebos, benches, swings, and more for everyone to enjoy. This clean, well maintained beach will keep you wishing everyday was a vacation.
@lowcountry_wanderer Access to beach, bars, and swings 🥰 #hiltonhead #southcarolina
♬ Surf - Mac MillerPoipu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii
@jordanoutside Poipu Beach was great for snorkeling 🤿 #snorkeling #poipubeach #seaturtle #eel #snorkelingkauai #kauaihawaii #kauaibeach #snorkelingfun #beachday
♬ Sun Bed - David StaniforthOcean City, Maryland
Coronado Beach, San Diego, California
@aleelo133 Hicimo un #picnic bonito en Coronado🏖✨💕 #friendsdate #bestfriends #coronadobeach #sandiegocalifornia #californiasunsets #fyp #travel
♬ Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes) - Edison LighthouseClearwater Beach, Clearwater, Florida
Harris Beach, Oregon
Oak Street Beach, Chicago, Illinois
@lefttodiscover let's discover: Oak St. Beach #foryou #chicago #beach #travel #summer
♬ G.A.B - Gill (길) / BoA (宝儿)Carlsmith Beach, Hilo, Hawaii
Grand Haven State Park, Michigan
Grand Haven State Park
This is a 48-acre park with the beautiful sandy shore of Lake Michigan along the west side and the Grand River along the north side. The park consists entirely of beach sand and provides scenic views of Lake Michigan and the Grand Haven pier and lighthouse. Great Lakes beach safety.
Santa Monica Beach, California
@hgscreative Who’s been to the Santa Monica pier before? Where should I go next? 🎡 #santamonica #santamonicapier #santamonicabeach #losangeles #la #losangeleslife
♬ ysenpaii Safe and Sound - senpaiMedano Creek, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
@notsocrazyrachele #beachday in #coloado only happens onceayear. #snowmelt #medanocreek #greatsanddunesnationalpark
♬ Surrender - Natalie TaylorNorth Beach, Tybee Island, Georgia
Good Harbor Beach, Gloucester, Massachusetts
Rockaway Beach, Queens, New York
@pao_newyorkcity For more NYC gems, download @thepaoapp #fyp #foryoupage #rockawaybeach #nycbeach #beachday #endofsummer
♬ Redbone - stinky ol’ treeCrystal Lake State Park, Barton, Vermont
Gulf Shores Public Beach, Alabama
@hackwade Welcome to the beach after dark! #Beach #GulfShores #OrangeBeach #RoadTrip #ferriswheel #Vacation #Alabama
♬ original sound - Brother NaturePark Point Beach, Duluth, Minnesota
@missmindymmc Park Point Beach on Lake Superior. #duluthminnesota #beachvibes #soundsofsummer #ROMWEnextgen #fireworks
♬ original sound - MissMindymmcAsbury Park Beach, New Jersey
@hashtagkarenag2 Who’s Jersey Mom is this?! #nj #newjersey #jerseyshore #asburypark #beach #summer #momsoftiktok #jerseymom
♬ original sound - Hashtag KarenagCarmel Beach, Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Alki Beach, Seattle, Washington
@chuymarin88 Visitando la hermosa playa de Alki Beach 🏖 #alkibeach #westseattle #seattle #washington #pnw #playas #EasyWithAdobeExpress #BigComfy
♬ sᴛᴇʀᴇᴏ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛs - 🕷Ocean Beach Park, New London, Connecticut
@thatgirlkaaatie Beach days are the best days 🏝 #iCarlyAffirmation #foryou #fyp #beach #oceanbeachparkct #newlondon
♬ Paradise - BazziConey Island Beach, Brooklyn, New York
@midnighht.sunn Don’t say i never put y’all on😉 #GossipGirlHere #nyccheck #coneyislandbeach #NYC #wheredreamsaremadeof #Brooklyn #fyp #4uviral #thankmelater
♬ Stuck In The Middle - Tai Verdes
14 Best North Carolina Beaches to Visit
14. Kure Beach
Kure Beach, NC | Events, Outdoor Adventures & Special Deals
Experience natural wonders and outdoor activities on the beach and beyond the sand. Take a break from your deadlines to see why life's a little less hectic at Kure Beach. Located just 18 miles from Wilmington, here you'll find the kind of small-town beach you visited as a kid.
13. Kitty Hawk
Things to Do in Kitty Hawk, NC | Find Hotels & Restaurants
Of all the beach towns on the Northern Outer Banks, Kitty Hawk may have the most-lovely name but it's one whose roots are lost to time. Some say it's the Anglicization of the native word , for which we have no translation.
12. Carolina Beach
Carolina Beach, NC | Fun, Festivals, Fishing & The Beach
With outdoor adventures, island tiki bars and more, coastal fun beckons all season long. Trade your ordinary beach vacation for an extraordinary one! Find your laid-back beach vibe at Carolina Beach, one of the most down-to-earth, good-time beaches on the Atlantic Coast located just 15 miles from Wilmington.
11. Nags Head
Nags Head, NC - OuterBanks.com
PokeBox offers fresh, quick, simple, healthy poke bowls in Nags Head. Choose your items and build your bowl. Tuna, salmon, chicken, steak, shrimp and tofu options available. Mix in your favorite veggies, sauces and toppings for the perfect poke experience.
10. Duck
Duck, NC | Restaurants, Hotels & Outdoor Recreation
Duck, the northernmost town on the Outer Banks, earned its name at the turn of the 20 th century thanks to the popularity of duck hunting in the Currituck and Albemarle Sounds.
9. Atlantic Beach
The Atlantic Beach Official Website! | Official Website
The City of Atlantic Beach, City of Neptune Beach, Atlantic Beach Police Department, and Neptune Beach Police Department are paying homage to this fallen officer, a historical figure in the Beaches community. Paul M. Patrick was Town Marshal Read on...
8. Wrightsville Beach
Wrightsville Beach, NC | Events, Fishing & Activities
Enjoy scenic beauty on water tours, relax in coastal gardens or get active with wellness adventures. From active lifestyles with plenty of watersports and outdoor healthy and wellness activities to friendly community gatherings, there's never a shortage of something happening year-round in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina's most accessible beach located just 8.5 miles from Wilmington.
7. Oak Island
Oak Island, NC
Situated on the southern end of North Carolina's picturesque coastline, the Town of Oak Island encompasses nearly 20 square miles; offering 10 miles of pristine beachfront, along the 12 mile-long island from which the Town derives its name.
6. Topsail Island
History of Topsail Beach
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.
5. Ocracoke Island
Ocracoke Island Photo Tours and Travel Information
The Ocracoke Island Lighthouse may not be the most imposing of the Outer Banks lighthouses, but as North Carolina's oldest lighthouse in operation, (and the second oldest in the United States), it is certainly one of the most beloved. At just 65' ft.
4. Corolla/Currituck Beach
Outer Banks Beaches | Corolla, Currituck County Beach Access
Overlooking the vast expanse that is the Atlantic Ocean, you'll find Currituck's northern Outer Banks beaches of Corolla and Carova - more than 20 miles of windswept remote seascapes where you can enjoy strolling along our unspoiled shoreline, shelling or simply relaxing in the sun with a good book.
3. Cape Hatteras
Cape Hatteras National Seashore (U.S. National Park Service)
The sound of ocean waves, the starry night sky, or the calm of the salt marshes, you can experience it all. Shaped by the forces of water, wind, and storms these islands are ever changing. The plants, wildlife, and people who live here adapt continually.
2. Bald Head Island
Bald Head Island NC
On February 25, 2022, Bald Head Island Transportation, Inc. (BHIT) provided initial public notification as required by law of a change in checked-baggage policies ordered by the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC). The NCUC order becomes effective April 1, 2022.
1. Emerald Isle
Emerald Isle, NC | Bogue Inlet & Emerald Isle Beach
Emerald Isle greets Crystal Coast visitors at the western end of Bogue Banks, offering 12 miles of pristine shoreline and incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean and Bogue Inlet.