I’ve Spent 20 Years Traveling Solo—These Are the Beaches I Keep Coming Back To

Growing up near the ocean, I didn’t realize how lucky I was until I moved away. While there’s plenty to love about lakes and mountains, for me it’s all about breathing in that salty sea air and listening to the sounds of the waves. Plus, beaches are ideal for solo trips. After two decades of exploring, I have my favorites. Some are those I frequented during my childhood, but most are beaches that I’ve discovered along the way.

There’s a lot to love about a beach with soft white sands and calm blue waters for swimming under sunny skies, but I also enjoy searching for treasures and peering into tidepools on misty, driftwood-strewn stretches. 

I’ve been visiting Maui annually in February for many years, in part because it’s the best month for watching humpback whales. But when it comes to beaches, there may be none better than Makena. I never miss the chance to watch one of the world’s most beautiful sunrises while enjoying the 1.5 miles of silky soft sands practically all to myself. If you’re into meditation, or just quiet contemplation, this is the place to do it. Afterward, take a stroll alongside the Easter egg blue water or do some bodysurfing in the waves.

While I usually go in the winter, note that conditions are usually better for swimming in the summer. Plus, there are lifeguards stationed at multiple towers for safety.

Nearly everyone who heads to the beach in Kauai seems to go to Poipu or Hanalei Bay on the north shore, but if you prefer a quieter stretch, head to Polihale on the island’s west side. Accessed via a bumpy, unpaved road, there’s no 4WD necessary. Your reward for the effort will be 17 miles of golden sand, the longest stretch of public beach in Hawaii. From here you’ll also have a dramatic view of the Na Pali Coast with its colorful sea cliffs.

In the summer when the water is calm, swimming is possible, but this is primarily a place to sunbathe, picnic, beachcomb, and explore the dunes. Spinner dolphins can be spotted year-round, and humpback whales occasionally pass by in the winter.

Some of my most blissful moments at the beach have been at Balandra. Located less than a half-hour’s drive from La Paz, floating around the translucent turquoise water while surrounded by the cactus-dotted landscape will instantly melt all stress away. It’s like being in a huge natural pool, with the water typically no more than waist-high. While it’s since become Instafamous, it’s easy to escape the crowds simply by swimming or walking across the sandy bottom. The number of visitors has been limited in recent years to avoid overcrowding. Choose from one of two entry slots, 8 am to noon or 1 pm to 5 pm (going early in the morning is your best bet). 

About halfway between Cabo San Lucas and La Paz in Todos Santos, you’ll find miles and miles of often empty soft sands just a few minutes outside of town. Expert surfers come to ride the waves, but it’s generally best for sunbathing, strolling, taking part in baby sea turtle releases (December through April), and watching whales. 

Having visited many beaches around the world, I can confidently say La Pastora is among the best for spotting cetaceans without going on a boat tour. From mid-December through March, you might see humpback whales breach in the distance, while gray whales feast on crustaceans just a few feet from shore between mid-January and early March. Have you ever walked along a beach while looking in the eye of a whale? It’s possible here! Afterward, catch a sunset while enjoying a hibiscus margarita at The Green Room, the only bar/eatery with tables right on the sand.

Living in Mexico, I’m lucky in that it’s relatively easy to get to some of the country’s best beach resorts. My favorite hands down is Hyatt Ziva Cancun. It’s not the beautiful pools or the drinks, but the beach that I keep coming back for. Located on Punta Cancun, it actually includes two swimmable beaches, both with chalk-white sands and brilliant turquoise water. It’s easy to spend the whole day here relaxing in a cabana while sipping your favorite drink out of a coconut in between unforgettable dips. 

If you’re looking for a little (or a lot) more action during your solo beach trip, it’s hard to beat Santa Cruz. I grew up visiting the beach that fronts the famous boardwalk and have continued to return again and again for many years. During the summer, there are all sorts of free events, including concerts, while the amusement park is home to all sorts of rides, like the over-century-old Giant Dipper roller coaster. 

A short stroll away on the pier are seafood stands and restaurants for oceanfront dining. This is also a great spot to simply watch the countless sea lions lounging on the rafters and swimming around in the water below.

While it’s just 10 miles north of Santa Cruz, even on the busiest day of the summer, you’re unlikely to find many other visitors here. Greyhound Beach is hidden from the highway and requires a steep but short walk down to the sand, keeping it crowd-free. Instead of bumping elbows with others, you can easily find your own space for watching dolphins and other marine life that passes by. Greyhound Rock, the beach’s namesake, is easy to climb and provides the perfect vantage point. Just be aware that there are no facilities here, so bring your own food and drink. 

Glass Beach at the southern end of MacKerricher State Park is famous for its colorful sea glass, thanks to an old dump that was here along the Mendocino Coast from 1906 to 1967. Over the years, bottles and other glass items were broken down, resulting in the smooth glass pieces you’ll see in a variety of hues, from green and blue to pink, amber, orange, and the occasional red.

It’s easy to spend hours here searching Glass Beach, but if you head further north into the park, you’ll find a boardwalk that meanders to small sandy coves with tide pools often filled with marine creatures like starfish and hermit crabs. Keep an eye out for seals that often pop their heads out of the water and lounge around on the rocks.

When it comes to wild beauty, Cannon Beach is among the best in the country. Haystack Rock is its iconic symbol, a 235-foot-high monolith where puffins nest between April and early August. Year-round at low tide, there are also tide pools to peek into and discover sea anemones, starfish, hermit crabs, and the like. I like to visit an hour before the official low tide, when sand dollars are often dotted across the beach.

The annual Sandcastle Contest is worth planning a trip around, held in June over the weekend nearest to the start of summer. It draws amateurs and professionals alike to create some of the most impressive works made out of sand you’re ever likely to see, at least off-screen anyway.

Just north of Cannon Beach, Seaside offers lots to do for travelers of all types, including solos. It has two miles of soft sand and a beachfront promenade that runs alongside it. There are many outfitters for bike rentals that make it easy to explore on two wheels, stopping along the way occasionally to dip your toes in the surf. That said, if you’re an expert surfer, you’ll appreciate the waves. 

Wildlife enthusiasts won’t want to miss the Seaside Aquarium right off the promenade. The star attraction is the harbor seals that entertain visitors in hopes of getting a fish thrown their way (available on-site for a small fee). 

As one of my favorite islands in Greece, I’ve visited Naxos many times. One of the reasons is Plaka, the longest beach in Naxos. Spanning about 2.5 miles, the water here is like a vast swimming pool while the sand is powdery soft. As there is so much space, it never feels crowded, and you can even choose your own experience. 

Head to the south end, void of the usual umbrellas and loungers, to toss down a towel and enjoy the unspoiled environment. At the north end, you’ll find a nudist section, while in between is an area with loungers and water sports facilities. No matter where you go here, you won’t be far from food or drink with plenty of beach bars and eateries nearby.

With cousins in Dublin, I’ve been visiting Ireland throughout my life, including plenty of solo trips. When in the city, I almost always make it a point to visit Balcarrick, a beach that mostly only locals visit. It’s a bit hidden, located in the suburb of Donabate, so you’ll see few other tourists here, yet it’s only a short distance from the city center. There are two miles of soft sands and swimmable blue waters, plus at the main access point near the north end, there’s a hotel restaurant with an outdoor patio for enjoying a cold brew and a magnificent view.