Beach Travel Is Changing in 2026—Here’s What’s Trending Now

Beach getaways have long been popular, with beautiful ocean views, the sounds of the waves, the fresh salty sea air, and the warmth of soft sand enveloping bare feet, perfect for getting into a blissful state of relaxation. 

No wonder so many of us like to enjoy our vacations at the beach; it’s something that has been popular for centuries, evolving from medically prescribed sea bathing in the 17th century to becoming a favorite leisure activity for the wealthy by the 19th century. Today, it’s an escape nearly everyone can enjoy, but that doesn’t mean one size fits all. 

With so many ways to enjoy time in the sun and the surf, these are some beach travel trends well worth considering for your next trip.

While there’s plenty to be said about simply relaxing on the sand and enjoying a little classic sunbathing, today’s beachgoers want more than that, combining traditional beach time with more active adventures. The “expedition beach” trend we recently featured highlights that, with the western state of Goa in India along the Arabian Sea a great example as one of the top destinations for experiencing it. Visitors to Goa’s beaches can enjoy everything from snorkeling and scuba diving the vibrant coral reefs to parasailing, flyboarding, kitesurfing, and cliff diving. 

The island of Mallorca in Spain is famous for its beaches and nightlife, but it was also named Europe’s best island for hiking, with 500 trails from coastal paths to mountain climbs. Those who want to stay closer to home will find long stretches of soft sands along Monterey Bay in Central California, along with opportunities to get out on the water and enjoy some of the world’s best whale watching. 

With an increasing number of us focusing on enhancing physical and mental wellness, that trend is also changing the way we see beach travel. 2026 is a perfect time to plan a blue health escape, which emphasizes water-based well-being. Based on the “Blue Mind” theory, this type of getaway is designed to help travelers transition from a stressed-out state to a more peaceful, calm, and creative state. While it might include common activities like swimming or paddleboarding, everything from float therapy and seaside yoga to saltwater rituals at a beachfront spa can fit the bill. 

The “hushpitality” trend recently highlighted in a Hilton study is a great way to enjoy a blue health escape, perhaps immersing yourself in nature with a little “me time” in a destination like Bali. Or, St. Andrews State Park in Panama City Beach, Florida, which was just named the most calming in the U.S., with a mile-long span of sparkling sands and emerald waters.

The multi-generational coastal getaway has become an increasingly popular travel trend for milestone celebrations and more, driven by a desire for bonding. These trips can connect kids, parents, and grandparents with beach destinations especially ideal, often with opportunities for activities for all age groups. Hawaii is one of our top spots for a multi-generational coastal getaway, with everything from surfing lessons and snorkeling tours to leisurely seaside strolls, hiking across volcanic landscapes, and exploring cultural attractions. 

There are many family-friendly beaches throughout the islands, like Ko Olina on Oahu, with its four man-made lagoons that are calm all year-round. The Big Island offers black sands where sea turtles like to lounge (sure to please the little ones and grown-ups alike), along with white sandy beaches ideal for swimming and snorkeling, such as Ho’okena Beach Park. Plus, you’ll find resorts on all the major islands with kids’ clubs and activities for every generation. 

Many people plan their vacations by choosing a destination first. But a whycation is a trend that involves considering the “why” more than the “where.” It’s a purpose-driven trip, such as visiting Maui as an Act of Kōkua to help support the island’s comeback after the devastating wildfire in 2023. Restaurants have been reopening, resorts have been revitalized, events have been returning, and activities are back on the calendar, from snorkeling tours to winter whale-watching excursions. It’s a win-win, as you can financially support small local businesses and help keep many people employed. Go beyond through a voluntourism initiative like Mālama Hawaiʻi, with opportunities such as beach cleanups and restoring native plants on hikes.

Remember when there used to be many hidden places that most people didn’t know about? Well, that’s all changed thanks to social media. It’s become one of the top ways travelers discover new destinations, including coastal spots. Among younger demographics in particular, social media rivals traditional travel guides and even search engines. In fact, a recent Beach.com study found that family and friend recommendations and social media nearly tied for the most popular ways to find new beach spots. While those truly hidden destinations may be few and far between these days, it’s still possible to find mostly undiscovered beaches via social media, with Instagram and TikTok arguably the best for visual inspiration. 

Are you familiar with the term “bleisure travel?” It simply means a trip that combines work and play. Remote work practically became the norm during COVID, and it’s still popular today, with many travelers taking advantage of bleisure vacations, particularly at beach locations with strong Wi-Fi and picturesque views. A “work from anywhere” survey conducted by IWG and Arup that Beach.com recently reported on found that Rio de Janeiro, Brazil was the very best beach city for bleisure travel. It was based on the proximity of beaches, broadband download speed, costs, the annual number of sunshine hours, sustainability, cultural quality, happiness index scores, and the availability of flexible workplaces. 

A summer beach trip often means big crowds, high prices, and sizzling heat, which is why the demand for cooler and quieter beach escapes outside of the peak season months has been on the rise. For fun in the sun and activities like swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and other water sports without melting in the heat, paying an arm and a leg, or bumping elbows with others, consider a shoulder season beach trip. For example, visit Key West and its Caribbean-like beaches in April or May (outside of spring break), or between mid-November and mid-December, before the holidays but after the highest risk of tropical storms and hurricanes has passed. 

With an uncertain economy, it’s no surprise that many of the more budget-friendly beach destinations have been trending. Lesser-known islands and coastal beach towns generally aren’t as pricey as popular places like Maui and Miami, so if you’re looking for a more affordable beach vacation, you’ll want to go at least a bit off the beaten path. The Amalfi Coast is known for attracting high-brow visitors who often arrive on their megayachts, but that doesn’t mean it’s out of the question for those concerned with travel costs. The more famous villages like pretty Positano are expensive, but Salerno is a less costly alternative, at least for now. Instead of islands like Santorini or Mykonos in Greece, you might consider the Albanian Riviera for Balkan beauty without the high prices. 

Overtourism and the negative impact it has on the environment have been on the minds of many travelers who are seeking more responsible tourism, including reef-friendly activities and experiences that help preserve fragile coastal ecosystems. Costa Rica is internationally renowned as a pioneer and leader when it comes to eco-friendly tourism and sustainability. It’s protecting vast areas as national parks (around a third of the country), reversing deforestation, generating nearly all electricity from renewables, and promoting initiatives like the Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST). Guiding travelers to minimize impact, benefit local communities, and preserve biodiversity, destinations like the Guanacaste coast with popular beaches like Playa Tamarindo are prime examples of combining environmental stewardship with natural beauty.

A beach trip is no longer only about the sand and the sea. Many travelers are seeking culture-first beach experiences, which means combining beaches with cultural attractions like craft markets, art and music festivals, museums, local food scenes, or even cooking classes in a local’s home. For example, Bandon, Oregon, a highly underrated destination on the southern coast, offers miles and miles of soft, sandy beaches for all sorts of play and wildlife watching. The town itself hosts lesser-known foodie experiences, including culinary tours for sampling dishes prepared with local ingredients, like fresh Dungeness crab, all made by local owners.

For something more exotic, Maceió, the capital of Alagoas in Brazil, has a historic center with colorful colonial homes, vibrant street music, and a museum for exploring folklore and anthropology. Combined with stunning white sandy beaches lapped by turquoise water, it defines the culture-first beach experience.