These Are the Best Beaches on the East Coast—From Maine to Florida

The East Coast might not have palm trees or West Coast surf cred, but it has soul—and salt—and so many little beach towns with stories to tell. And while California might hog the spotlight, I’d argue there’s nothing like the charm of an Atlantic-side summer (in fact, the East Coast was recently ranked a top beach destination in the U.S. in our latest study). There’s history here: lighthouses that have seen centuries, seafood shacks that have survived storms and still serve the same fried clams. There are beaches where you’ll find wild horses and others where you’ll hear live jazz drifting down from the boardwalk. 

Whether you’re chasing lighthouses, lobster rolls, or just some peace and quiet, here are 15 of the best beaches on the East Coast that seriously deliver. Just bring SPF and your favorite beach read.

Not all sand is created equal. Siesta Key’s powdery, quartz-crystal sand is so soft and white it almost feels like a movie set. It’s so beautiful that TripAdvisor recently ranked it as the No. 1 beach in the U.S. Just south of Sarasota, this Gulf-side beach’s atmosphere and accessibility earn it a top place on this East Coast list. The water is calm, warm and perfect for swimming and the sunsets are unreal. If you like your beach days slow and filled with umbrella drinks, Siesta’s your spot.

This Victorian-era beach town has plenty of vintage charm—think gingerbread houses, saltwater taffy and dolphins just offshore. The beach is wide, clean and perfect for long walks. Grab a cone from Kohr Bros and walk the promenade at sunset for peak nostalgic vibes. If you’re staying overnight, opt for a historic B&B with a wraparound porch. Mornings here start slow with café au laits from Coffee Tyme and end with craft cocktails at The Brown Room. Cape May also has a lighthouse you can climb for panoramic ocean views (and, yes, it’s worth the quad burn).

A queer-friendly favorite and a family classic all at once, Rehoboth has an old-school boardwalk, indie boutiques and a surprisingly solid craft beer scene. The waves are gentle, the sand soft and the energy is always buzzing. Grab some beach fries from Thrasher’s and people-watch with your feet in the sand. Don’t skip Dogfish Head’s brewery for a tasting flight or evening trivia. And if you’re around on a summer weekend, the open-air concerts at the Bandstand bring such a wholesome, Americana vibe it’s hard not to sway along.

If you’re into wild horses and windswept isolation, Assateague is perfect. This barrier island is mostly undeveloped, so it feels like it’s just you, the dunes and a herd of ponies galloping through the surf. The beaches here are raw and beautiful, with dramatic skies and hardly any cell service. There are designated camping areas if you want to fall asleep to crashing waves. And you should also consider kayaking through the marshes at sunset. Just bring bug spray—the mosquitoes here are no joke!

Touristy? Sure. But it’s also big enough to carve out your own corner. There’s a 3-mile boardwalk, great waves for beginners and tons of nearby trails if you want to swap beach time for biking or birdwatching. It’s family-friendly but still fun for solo travelers, especially if you veer off to First Landing State Park. Food-wise, hit Waterman’s for an Orange Crush and rockfish tacos. Also, the Neptune Festival in the fall is well worth timing your visit for if you are into art and music.

OBX is the East Coast beach trip. Nags Head has that classic laid-back surf-town feel, plus dunes you can hike and hang gliders soaring overhead. Stop by Tortugas’ Lie for coconut shrimp and a rum punch. Then wander over to Jockey’s Ridge State Park, where you can sandboard or catch an unforgettable sunset from the top of the tallest dunes on the East Coast. The nearby piers are great for fishing or watching the sunrise with a cup of local brew from Morning View Coffee.

Just outside Charleston, Folly is funky and fun with surf-worthy waves, seafood shacks and a community that feels beach bum while still retaining its Southern charm. Rent a bike, ride through the palms and post up for a beach picnic. The pier is a popular fishing spot and the beach itself is lively but never too overwhelming. Check out Lost Dog Café for breakfast burritos and strong coffee, then head to the Washout if you’re into surfing. Folly is also one of the best beaches for sunsets (especially if you walk toward the lighthouse at the northern tip).

An underrated gem with warm water, easygoing locals and dolphin sightings almost daily. It’s the kind of place where you slow down without even meaning to. Don’t miss the sunrise at North Beach. There’s a lighthouse museum worth exploring and plenty of cozy vacation rentals tucked among the trees. Stop by The Breakfast Club for grits and eggs before a slow morning stroll. You’ll find local art shops, live music at small beach bars and enough hush puppies to keep you full ‘til sunset.

Quiet, refined and totally dreamy. The sand is soft, the seashells are plenty and the sunsets are some of the best I’ve seen on the Atlantic. It’s also home to a surprisingly robust wellness scene if you want a beach and spa. There’s horseback riding along the shoreline, biking trails through the state park and oyster happy hours in Fernandina Beach. Book a massage, then wind down with fresh seafood from Timoti’s Seafood Shak. It’s relaxing and luxurious in all the right ways.

There’s something cinematic about Cape Cod. Race Point in Provincetown gives you dunes, lighthouses and potential whale sightings—all with a welcoming, artsy town just minutes away. BYO beach blanket and a book. Provincetown is also a major LGBTQ+ hub, with cabarets, art galleries and drag shows lighting up Commercial Street. You can bike the Province Lands Trail for panoramic views, then reward yourself with lobster rolls from The Canteen. If you time your trip right, you might even catch the whales migrating offshore (from mid-April through October).

Take the ferry from the mainland and prepare to feel like you’ve time-traveled. With bluffs, hidden coves and barely any chains, Block Island is a true escape. The beaches are pristine, with a true East Coast feel. Head to Mohegan Bluffs for a postcard-perfect overlook (just be prepared for the stairs). Rent mopeds to explore the island’s lighthouses and historic sites, then wind down with cocktails at The Oar (only open seasonally) overlooking the harbor. It’s a whole vibe, especially in late summer.

One of the best-kept secrets up north. Ogunquit has a dreamy stretch of beach connected by a scenic path (Marginal Way) with postcard-worthy ocean views. The town’s cute and artsy and packed with lobster rolls. It’s walkable and quaint and there’s something deeply peaceful about morning fog rolling over the coast. If you’re into theatre, the Ogunquit Playhouse is a must. And if you’re not, grab an iced coffee and watch the tide come in while reading your way through a Maine-based novel.

Accessible only by boat, this wild island is perfect for wandering empty beaches with wild horses and old ruins. There’s no development here so just pack a cooler and go full castaway for the day. You can camp under live oaks or hike through maritime forests. The Dungeness ruins (what’s left of a Carnegie mansion) are hauntingly beautiful and sea turtles nest here in the summer. If you’re craving solitude, this might be your favorite stop on the list.

Just a short ferry ride from Long Island but a total world apart, Fire Island is car-free and full of throwback beach town charm. Whether you’re staying in The Pines, Cherry Grove, or one of the quieter residential enclaves, it’s all about biking barefoot and drinking cold beer on porches. The beaches are wide and windblown, perfect for long walks with zero agenda. I came here on a whim one summer and ended up extending my stay!

If you’re after good surf, great seafood and a small-town vibe that still feels lively, Wrightsville is the move. Just east of Wilmington, this beach has bright water, a strong local community and some of the best fish tacos I’ve had on the East Coast (shoutout to Tower 7). It’s a favorite among East Coast surfers, but even if you’re not into riding waves, its a chill spot to hang out and the water’s usually crystal-clear. Rent a paddleboard, catch a beach yoga class, or just float (Wrightsville’s got range).