We Asked 6 Travel Experts for Their Favorite Beach Town — The Answers Surprised Us

Some of the world’s best beach towns go beyond the postcard-perfect backdrop. Some are made for going back to, again and again. We asked six travel experts who’ve built their careers exploring the world’s best beaches and coastlines to name the one beach town they can’t stop returning to, and why it’s earned a spot on their favorites list.

Their answers surprised us, with responses featuring hidden island lagoons in the Philippines, a laid-back surf town on Kauai’s North Shore, and a family-friendly stretch of the Jersey Shore that’s managed to stay under the radar.

Here’s where these travel experts picked as their favorite beach town, and what makes each destination worth the trip.

Jeff Bell has backpacked through 38 countries across five continents, but El Nido, on Palawan in the Philippines, remains his favorite beach town. He says its standout feature is its enormous limestone cliffs, which rise directly from the ocean and conceal lagoons reached through narrow openings in the rock.

El Nido offers four island-hopping boat routes, labeled Tours A through D, each visiting different lagoons, beaches, and snorkeling sites. Bell says travelers should not try to squeeze all four into a single day: he spent four full days there and still felt he had not seen everything.

His top picks are Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon on Tour A. Secret Lagoon is especially easy to miss because its entrance is a small gap in a rock wall; visitors must swim through it before reaching the calm water beyond.

Bell recommends visiting from November through May, when calmer water makes travel between islands by small boat more comfortable. He says El Nido can suit almost any traveler as long as they do not need a luxury resort to feel they are somewhere special.

Claudia Tavani has visited Villasimius, on Sardinia’s southeastern coast, since childhood, when her family vacationed in nearby Costa Rei. She says the town stands out for the exceptional variety of beaches concentrated within a small area: long sandy stretches such as Simius, small coves including Porto Sa Ruxi and Cala Caterina, and celebrated beaches such as Porto Giunco and Punta Molentis. Much of the coastline lies within the protected Capo Carbonara Marine Area.

Tavani says Villasimius is worth several nights, or even a week, because visitors can explore a different beach each day, take a snorkeling boat trip through the marine reserve, visit viewpoints, and enjoy the town’s restaurants, bars, shops, and lively summer center. Nearby Costa Rei is also only about 15–20 minutes away by car.

For a first visit, she would prioritize Porto Giunco and the walk to its Spanish watchtower for views over the beach and Notteri lagoon. She also recommends arriving early at Punta Molentis, a protected beach with limited access, and taking a boat trip in the Capo Carbonara Marine Area.

For food and drinks, Tavani recommends Baccusardus for a Sardinian aperitivo, Il Miraggio for a meal by the sea, and La Chiccheria for gelato in the town center.

For a beach-focused trip, she recommends July, when the sea is warm and Villasimius is at its liveliest, though visitors should expect heat and reserve hotels and rental cars in advance. She recommends Villasimius to anyone visiting Sardinia primarily for the sea, particularly couples and families, and advises renting a car to explore the surrounding beaches.

K.C. Dermody has been visiting Santa Cruz since childhood and keeps coming back as an adult, drawn to a mix of nostalgia and constant activity. “It stands out as a nostalgic destination while being a top spot for doing everything from watching surfers ride the waves to enjoying free summer concerts, amusement park rides, and witnessing the playful antics of the sea lions beneath the Santa Cruz Wharf,” she says.

Dermody recommends treating it as a full trip rather than a day stop. There’s enough to fill a week, she says, starting with the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, home to the Giant Dipper, a wooden roller coaster over a century old, plus carnival games and an arcade with more than 300 games. At the wharf nearby, sea lions gather on the rafters and in the water below shops, seafood stands, and restaurants. She also points to whale-watching tours, wine tasting in town and in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and cycling the 2.75-mile West Cliff Drive path past a lighthouse, the Steamer Lane surf break, and the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum.

For lodging, she suggests the Ocean Pacific Lodge for families who want good value within walking distance of the beach and Boardwalk, and the Dream Inn for couples wanting a beachfront splurge. For dining, she recommends Makai Island Kitchen & Groggery, where a slowly rotating bar floor and glass panels let diners watch the sea lions below while taking in 360-degree ocean views.

She recommends summer for the liveliest atmosphere, when the Boardwalk runs daily and free concerts are underway, but suggests mid-April through May or mid-September through October for good weather with fewer crowds. Santa Cruz, she says, works for “couples, families, and solo travelers” alike, whether visitors are bringing kids, planning a romantic weekend, or traveling solo.

After more than 40 trips to Hawaii, Marcie Cheung says Hanalei, a small surf town on Kauai’s North Shore, is her favorite beach town. It wraps around a two-mile crescent bay beneath jagged, waterfall-streaked mountains. Cheung says Hanalei stands apart because it never received the major resort treatment: local height restrictions keep buildings no taller than a coconut tree, preserving open views, while the community remains both a working taro-farming area and a beach destination.

Cheung recommends staying in or near Hanalei for several nights instead of attempting a day trip. She says visitors who come only for the day can spend too much time on the scenic but slow Kuhio Highway, rather than enjoying Hanalei Bay, Ke’e Beach and the start of the Kalalau Trail, Lumaha’i Beach at sunset, and the Hanalei Valley lookout. With only one bridge into town, access can also be disrupted by heavy rain or flooding. An overnight stay gives travelers time for sunrise walks on the pier, time in the water, and quieter mornings before day-trippers arrive.

For food, she recommends Holey Grail Donuts for taro donuts, ideally before 9 a.m. to avoid a long wait; Wishing Well Shave Ice; Tahiti Nui for low-key live music; and Bar Acuda, which requires an advance reservation. When ocean conditions are rough, particularly during winter swell, kayaking or stand-up paddling on the Hanalei River offers an alternative activity.

Hanalei has no large resorts, so most visitors stay in vacation rentals or small inns. Travelers seeking resort-style amenities can stay nearby in Princeville, where options include 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay and Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas.

Cheung recommends visiting from May through September for calmer, swimmable water. Winter brings dramatic surf but can make Hanalei Bay unsafe for casual swimming, and rain can affect road access. She recommends Hanalei for families and couples seeking a slower, scenic escape, as well as surfers pursuing winter swell, honeymooners, and solo travelers. It is less suited to travelers who want nightlife, a dense restaurant scene, or big-box convenience.

Eleanor Antonacci lives near the beach and travels widely in search of exceptional coastal destinations, but Sea Girt, New Jersey, is a favorite she has returned to for each of the past three summers. She describes it as “quaint, quiet, and peaceful,” with a strong small-business feel anchored by places such as Ray’s Cafe, Rod’s Tavern, and Shore Pour coffee shop.

Sea Girt’s town-maintained beach is well kept and includes a snack shack along the boardwalk, making it an easy choice for a relaxed beach day. For visitors seeking more entertainment, particularly families with young children, Antonacci recommends heading about 15 minutes south to Point Pleasant Beach. Its boardwalk has carnival games, rides, mini golf, and an aquarium, while Jenkinson’s Boardwalk hosts fireworks every Thursday night during the summer.

For seafood, she recommends Point Pleasant favorites Red’s Lobster Pot, The Shrimp Box, and Spike’s Fish Market, all of which serve fresh seafood daily.

Antonacci recommends visiting the Jersey Shore from June through September, when the weather is warm enough for beach time. She suggests staying longer than a weekend, since the wider area offers enough to fill a more extended trip.

Mirela Letailleur lives on the Côte d’Azur and names Fréjus as her favorite nearby beach town because it is less well known than many French Riviera destinations. She values its beautiful old town, frequent markets, and range of beaches, along with easy access to the neighboring coast around Saint-Raphaël.

Her favorite is Plage de Saint-Aygulf, where small creeks help beachgoers spread out near the water. Its fine, powdery sand and shallow sea make it particularly appealing for families. Across the road, the Étangs de Villepey provide a contrasting wetland landscape with observation towers, birdwatching, and occasional flamingo sightings during hotter months. The protected wetlands are among the region’s rare coastal wetland environments.conservatoire-du-littoral+1

She also recommends Plage de la Base Nature for its easy access, large parking area, nearby shaded picnic space, nature paths, and frequent major events, including a September kite competition she particularly enjoys. It is her choice for winter beach visits and is within walking distance of Port Fréjus and its themed Sentiers du Mérou.

In adjoining Saint-Raphaël, Letailleur highlights Plage du Débarquement, a historic Allied landing site with pebbles, pine-shaded areas, and views toward Île d’Or. It is also the start of her favorite local hike around Cap Dramont, which leads past Port Poussay and small coves and hidden beaches in the cliffs. For quick swims or snorkeling outside peak season, she favors Plage de Boulouris, where cliff and pine shade create a wilder feel despite its urban setting.

Looking for more pristine coastlines? Check out Beach.com’s ranking of the best beaches in America, the Caribbean, and Europe.