The 10 Best Beaches in America, According to Science and Travel Experts

There are countless lists of “best beaches,” but they often consist of the most famous or random opinions. This ranking is a bit different, however. It’s based on travel expert nominations, years of NASA and EU Program data, and in-depth analysis that pored over tens of thousands of reviews to reveal the 25 best beaches in the world. Those beaches spanned 14 countries and four continents, including the top spots in the U.S.

These spectacular beaches across the country include Hawaii and the mainland, from California to Florida. Note that while US territories like Puerto Rico and the USVI are home to many breathtaking stretches, we’ve featured those in The 10 Best Caribbean Beaches. That makes it easy for beach lovers to choose the perfect destination for that next escape!

With sugary white sand consisting of nearly pure quartz crystals, the beaches in Gulf Shores sparkle in the sun, beautifully contrasted by brilliant emerald and turquoise water. It’s no wonder that its stretches along Alabama’s Gulf Coast are so enticing. With about 32 miles of continuous sand, there are multiple beaches to choose from here, but Gulf Shores Main Public Beach is arguably the most popular. As it has such a wide expanse of sandy shoreline, there’s plenty of room for all. It’s particularly praised for its pristine environment, easy accessibility, and wide range of facilities.

Easily accessible swimming and watersports can be enjoyed right from the shore. There are also sand volleyball courts, open-air pavilions, shaded picnic areas, outdoor rinse-off showers, and clean public restrooms. Plus, lifeguards are on staff between March and October, while shops, beach bars, and eateries are steps away.

Huntington Beach is one of the top surfing towns in Southern California. It’s home to five beaches that form one seamless shoreline, with 10 uninterrupted miles of soft, wide, sandy coast. Receiving high marks for amenities and natural beauty for the “perfect overall balance,” it’s not only great for surfing (or watching the pros ride the waves), but also offers plenty of space for the usual beach activities. Enjoy long strolls, sandcastle-building, sunbathing, volleyball, swimming, and more. 

Bringing your four-legged friends? Just south of the main hub is Huntington Dog Beach, one of the most famous off-leash dog beaches in the country. At Huntington State Beach, you’ll find the city’s famous pier (one of the longest on the West Coast), ideal for shopping and sunset seaside dining. The entire coastline here is packed with amenities, including beach fire rings, concession stands, and paved pathways ideal for biking. 

Vero Beach is just two hours from Orlando along the Atlantic Coast and offers multiple stretches of sand with calm water for swimming and opportunities to watch wildlife like sea turtles. South Beach Park is the standout here, ranked among the best in the world for its expert-verified water quality, excellent facilities, and convenient access from Vero Beach Regional Airport. The hot summers make it perfect for swimming in the clear turquoise water, but even the winters are mild, making it a great place for a tranquil stroll. 

South Beach Park is also staffed with lifeguards for safe swimming and includes restrooms/changing rooms, rinse-off showers, and volleyball courts. Plus, there are miles of enticing beaches for strolling north or south. 

Morro Bay is one of the most charming small beach towns in California. Located on the Central Coast, it’s easily recognized by Morro Rock, a massive 600-foot-high volcanic plug once used by mariners as a navigational aid. Morro Rock Beach was named after it, offering a sprawling stretch of sand connected to several miles of continuous coastline. It ranks high for its beauty, environmental quality, and wildlife, most notably sea otters. You’ll see dozens of them floating right along the promenade with the iconic rock towering above. Birders enjoy it too, as it’s part of a bird sanctuary that provides a nesting site for peregrine falcons, snowy egrets, and great blue herons. 

The rock jetty at the end of Morro Rock becomes a giant tide pool for spotting colorful marine creatures like sea anemones, starfish, and hermit crabs. The beach itself is popular for strolling, surfing, and kiteboarding. Whale watching is a favorite activity much of the year, with various species often passing by, depending on the season. Blue whales can occasionally be spotted in the spring, while humpback whales make frequent appearances between April and October. Winter brings the gray whales, heading north on their migration to Alaska. 

There are dozens of beaches in Florida with chalk-white sands and clear blue waters, but Pensacola is one of the world’s most breathtaking. Located on Santa Rosa Island, it’s often referred to as the crown jewel of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. Scoring high for its water quality, beauty, and amenities, the sand is so silky soft that you’ll want to kick off your shoes for a barefoot stroll that feels like walking on baby powder. Stretching for eight miles, there may be few better places for it. 

The sparkling blue-green waters look as if they should be in the Caribbean, so enticing that you can’t help but leap in. Kayaking, paddleboarding, and parasailing are all popular too. Plus, there are three artificial reefs for snorkeling, located 500 to 700 feet offshore at Casino Beach, Park West, and Park East. If you want the chance to catch your dinner, head to the Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier, which extends over the water between two sand bars. It’s also an ideal vantage point for sunset watching. 

Fletcher Cove Beach Park offers high-quality water for swimming and stunning beauty, located in San Diego’s North County coastal region, where Lomas Santa Fe Road meets the Pacific. Part of the Solana Beach area, it includes a secluded series of beaches backed by dramatic bluffs. Access is via a concrete ramp in the park, which includes a grassy area for picnics and a playground. This is also where you’ll find outdoor showers and public restrooms. 

The small, sandy, crescent-shaped beach is staffed by lifeguards for safety. Swimming is best during low to mid-tide. Stand-up paddleboarding, bodyboarding, and surfing are also popular, depending on conditions. If you stick around until dusk, you’ll be in one of the top spots for watching the sun go down. 

With fives across the board, Dry Tortugas National Park, located 70 miles west of Key West, offers white, powdery sand, crystal-clear aquamarine water, and 19th-century Fort Jefferson in its backdrop. Consistently ranking among the most unique and beautiful coastal destinations in the country, it can be reached by ferry from Key West. Located on Garden Key, the fort covers much of the island. It also serves as a top snorkeling and diving site, inhabited by a diverse array of marine life. 

The beach just outside the fort walls, South Swim Beach, is the most accessible, providing calm water for swimming and snorkeling among schools of brightly colored fish, conch, sea turtles, rays, and more. Avid birders might visit Bush Key, connected to Garden Key by a sandbar. It’s a critical site for nesting seabirds, with tens of thousands here from March through September. 

Often named among the world’s most beautiful beaches, Makena is just a few miles south of Maui’s Wailea resort area. There aren’t many amenities, but the aesthetic appeal is hard to beat. Bring your own food and drink and enjoy a day on the velvety soft, golden sands that stretch for 1.5 miles while lapped by teal blue waters. The waves are often too rough for swimming, but bodysurfing is popular. When conditions are calmer (usually in the summer), it is possible to enjoy a safe dip, with lifeguards staffed daily at three stations. 

An early wake-up call is worth it for watching the sky fill with shades of oranges, yellows, pinks, and purples at sunrise, providing a fantastic photo op. If you visit during the winter, be sure to keep an eye out for humpback whales. 

Located along the northern coast, Cannon Beach is easily recognized by the monolith that’s become its famous symbol: Haystack Rock. At low tide, it’s the perfect spot to search for sand dollars and go tidepooling, while tufted puffins can be seen breeding and nesting here between April and July. The beach spans roughly four miles, running nearly the entire length of town, making it popular for romantic strolls. Watch for gray whales and humpbacks that migrate along the coast during the spring and winter. 

Early June draws many to the Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest, a time when you’ll see some of the most incredible works of art made from the sand. This isn’t the best place for swimming, however, with the waves far too powerful, but wading is possible, and there are lifeguards on duty during the summer. 

Long Beach Island is often ranked among the best beaches for swimming in the country, with some of the clearest water in New Jersey. There are multiple stretches to choose from on the 18-mile-long barrier island, with the town of Ship Bottom the gateway to it all, located at the foot of the Causeway. It’s one of the most popular spots among families and nearly all types of beachgoers. 

Running from the southern end of 3rd Street to the northern side of 31st Street, the beaches are easily accessible while offering white sands and calm surf. Lifeguard stations are positioned along the even-numbered streets throughout the season. From 13th to 16th Street, the sandy beaches have shallow swimming areas and playgrounds, ideal for the kids.