10 Off-the-Radar Beaches in the United States You Haven’t Heard Of

When you look at some of the lists of America’s best beaches, you’re going to find a lot of shore towns that are pretty crowded. Yes, there’s a lot to love about the beaches on Cape Cod or in Jersey, along the Emerald Coast of Florida, and along California’s Central Coast, but… chances are likely that if you head to one of the frequently lauded beaches in one of these parts of the country, you’re going to be overrun with other beachgoers.

If you’re craving a truly off-the-radar, off-the-beaten-path beach vacay, here are some destinations you need to consider. You won’t even need to fight for space on the sand.

You may want to get to this beach sooner rather than later, as word is getting out that it’s a top pick for off-the-radar spots. Earlier this year, BoatBooker analyzed Google Maps data and reviews to find some of the quietest, best beaches in the country, and found that Vereen Memorial Park in South Carolina is a top-tier choice.

The park is free to visit and large, but it is worth noting that it’s not exactly on the ocean. It’s on an intercoastal waterway. Never fear, though; if you are staunchly a fan of ocean beaches only, you can follow the waterway to the Bird Island Reserve, a highly-rated, dog-friendly picturesque spot on the actual shore.  

Plus, it’s within easy access of Myrtle Beach. Now, obviously Myrtle Beach can get pretty crowded, as it’s an absolute favorite with beachgoers and traveling families around the region. However, if you want the best of both worlds—seclusion and also lots of amenities—you could easily stay in Myrtle Beach and then drive out to Vereen Memorial Park and Gardens for some quiet time during the day.

If you’re one of those aforementioned folks who only likes ocean beaches, then go ahead and skip right over this one. For the rest of you, enjoy the fact that there’s possibly one less person headed to this sparkling hidden gem in Michigan.

Beachgoers often overlook the Great Lakes, but when you consider just how massive these bodies of water are, and how varied their shores can be (from the urban sprawl of Chicago to the wilds of Michigan and Minnesota), you’d be doing yourself a disservice not to give them a chance.

Thompson’s Harbor State Park has few amenities, but that leads to fewer crowds. You’ll be able to enjoy the vivid blue waters all on your own, as the evergreens encroach upon the shoreline. It’s magical, it’s about eight miles long and the park even boasts a designated dark sky preserve, so plan to stick around until after nightfall to get a glimpse of the stars like you’ve never seen them before.

Easily accessible from Panama City Beach, Shell Island, Florida, gets its name from its abundance of seashells. However, shell collecting is far from the only activity you’ll find here, even if the undeveloped island has no facilities.

Across the seven-mile barrier island, you can go wildlife watching (dolphins, sea turtles, birds, and even deer call the island and its surrounding waters home), paddling, snorkeling, and more. Tours are sometimes available.

Do note that the only way to get here is via a tour, shuttle or your own boat. While that might be a slight headache, it does keep the crowds away.

Part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, this barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico features a unique history. 

For one, the island hasn’t always been what it appears to be today; in the 1960s, Hurricane Camille split the original island into two, and then, in recent history, an effort was made to rejoin the two sides of the island so you get what you see now.

Additionally, the island is home to Fort Massachusetts, which was built in the 1850s and 60s. Initially, the fort was approved for construction as a part of coastal defense initiatives following the War of 1812, but then by the time that the fort was actually underway, the Civil War broke out and it was seized by the Confederates. Eventually, though, the Union troops took the island and used it as a staging point for their takeover of New Orleans.

History aside (and maybe some haunts, too—a fair number of soldiers were buried on the isle), the island, which requires an hour-long ferry ride, offers white sands, bright waters, and just a few amenities. You’ll be able to buy some food and rent a chair, and then kick back and relax.

A relatively new state park (it opened in 2017), the Sitka Sedge State Natural Area boasts a vast array of landscape, including, yes, a beach. Grab your hiking boots and traverse the nearly 4 miles of trails, though if you’re not up to quite that much of a jaunt, you can just explore the half-mile trail that leads from the parking area straight to the sands.

Do note that this is a remote little beach, so you won’t have any cell service. You’ll need to snap all your jaw-dropping pics in the moment, put the phone away, enjoy the sights in person, and then post all your photos to Instagram later.

A least-crowded, underrated beach? In Hawaii?

Yes, while it seems that it couldn’t possibly be the case that there’s a beach throughout the Hawaiian Islands that’s yet to be overrun with tourists, you can actually find quite a few of them if you know where to look. And one that deserves your attention is Waimea Beach, on the island of Kauai.

Kauai receives notably fewer visitors than Oahu, the Big Island and Maui, and this particular beach on the west side of the island is one of the least visited. There are few accommodation options in the vicinity. The waters aren’t great for swimming. And yet the beach provides beautiful scenery, with dark sands, seashells, and islands off the coast.

If Waimea Beach isn’t quite to your liking, you can always visit Lania and its Polihua Beach. Lanai receives even fewer visitors than Kauai, and the island has only a few thousand residents and, charmingly, no traffic lights.

Polihua Beach is situated on the northwest side of the island and it takes a bit of work to get to, but if you arrive there, you’ll find a long, wide, golden beach that’s absolutely breathtaking, just as much as it is secluded. Snorkeling and diving are also options here, but do note that if you make the trek out on your own, you’re going to need a 4×4 vehicle.

Maine’s beaches have been summertime favorite destinations for the rather wealthy set along the East Coast for a while now. The state’s shorelines are packed between June and August, with families flocking to Kennebunkport, Bar Harbor, and others.

However, you can still find a few secluded spots. Wells Reserve features one of the last undeveloped sand beaches in the entire state. Part of a land trust and open to the public every day, Wells Reserve is situated about half-way between Kennebunkport and Ogunquit, making it an easy spot to access for those vacationing in either locale.

Once there, you’ll be able to explore seven miles of trails, all year round, whether you prefer to go on foot, snowshoe or cross-country ski. Beyond the beach, you’ll also see salt marshes, farmland, and forest.

Matagorda Bay attracts most of its visitors for one key reason: birding. However, while birding may be the main attraction, beachcombers love this nature park, too, as it’s often ranked one of the best places to hunt for seashells in the entire state of Texas (and with a total tidal shoreline and general coastline stretching nearly 4,000 miles, that’s saying something).

Plus, this beachy spot is within easy access of Houston, so you can spend part of your trip in the city and then get out of town for a more remote experience in Matagorda County.

The park offers some on-site accommodations, plus RV sites, if you want to camp, and if you’re not into either bird watching or beach combing, you can paddle or fish.

When you get a glimpse of Secret Beach’s scenery, you’ll really start to wonder why exactly it’s still a secret. You’ve got pristine sands. You have Oregon’s characteristic off-shore rock formations jutting up into the sky. There’s verdant greenery. What else could you need in a Pacific Northwest beach? 

Well, perhaps it is the hiking that’s keeping the masses from enjoying this spit of sand. You’re going to need to walk over a mile and a half off Highway 101, and the hike isn’t really beginner-friendly. Still, if you’re an accomplished trail-goer and you’re willing to make the trip, you can enjoy excellent views and a sandy secluded spot all to yourself.