Discover the 10 Best Beaches Along the East Coast

Malibu, Oceanside, La Jolla… It may be the West Coast that’s the most famous for its coast towns and beaches but here’s an open secret: the East Coast shoreline is more than four times longer and it is home to some of the most scenic, wildest beaches in the country. Here’s a list of our ten favorites – perfect for one last summer trip.

Florida

Much less crowded than the nearby Cocoa Beach, the Sebastian Inlet State Park beach is the place to be if you’re serious about fishing or surfing. Although it’s a little late for the peak nesting season, you can still happen upon nests and observe sea turtles crawling back to the water after laying their eggs.

Georgia

Sapelo Island is a state-protected barrier island located in McIntosh County. It is accessible only by boat and remains one of the most off-the-beaten-track destinations on the East Coast. Apart from pristine beaches, marshes and forests, Sapelo is also a rich cultural site with 200 years of history and home to the Gullah Geechee people.

South Carolina

Like anywhere else along the eastern seaboard, the barrier islands of South Carolina are hidden gems offering a peaceful escape from the busy mainland beaches. The largest is Bulls Island where the hauntingly beautiful Boneyard Beach is littered with the remnants of surf-polished trees.

North Carolina

Cape Hatteras National Seashore has the best of two worlds: excellent, regular surf on the ocean side, and flat, tranquil waters on the sound side. The Pamlico Sound is popular with paddleboarders and snorkelers. 

Maryland & Virginia

On the state border, the Assateague Island National Seashore was recently named one of the best beaches in the world. Its fine sands traversed by herds of wild ponies have steadily been attracting more and more visitors each year, but with a bit of luck, you can still find solitude here – especially if you choose to set up camp at one of the primitive camping spots. 

New Jersey

A short drive from the popular boardwalks and beaches of Seaside Heights, the Island Beach State Park seems to be forgotten by the world. It is one of the last undeveloped barrier islands on the Atlantic coast with rich wildlife and miles of sandy beaches awaiting the adventurous traveler. 

New York

Forget the Hamptons. Although it is hard to choose the most beautiful of the wild beaches in the state, the Fire Island National Seashore is our favorite. Located only an hour’s drive from New York City, this tranquil maritime preserve will not disappoint those seeking a respite from the clammer of its busy streets.

Massachusetts

The Wasque Beach (pronounced “way-skweee”) is a 200-acre nature reserve on Chappaquiddick Island, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. With its ever-shifting landscapes shaped by storms and, as of recently, climate change, no two visits to its dramatic coastline are ever the same. Sadly, due to rising sea levels, Wasque is losing approximately fifteen feet of shoreline every year, with both beautiful sandy beaches and old houses disappearing at an alarming rate.

New Hampshire & Maine

Here the Atlantic is rarely warmer than a bone-chilling 60 degrees. Jenness State Beach might be the least wild of all those listed here, but it is well worth a visit, especially for families with small children. Amenities include a family changing room and a bathhouse with hot showers – a great way to warm up after a chilly September dip. And if you’re after a bit more of a wild feel, head to the beautiful and rugged Roque Bluffs State Park or Sand Beach in Acadia State Park. Both are incredibly scenic, but on a cold September day, might feel rather blustery.