12 Warm U.S. Beaches to Visit This Winter

Every now and again, a break from day after day of gray skies, bundling up, and digging out of the snow during the chilly winter months is a must. 

Even if jetting off to the South Pacific, or anywhere in the Southern Hemisphere where those lucky residents are enjoying their summer, is out of the question, it’s possible to enjoy warmer temperatures and sunshine on many U.S. beaches. 

Whether it’s a tropical island that’s calling, or something a bit closer to home, you’ve got the Atlantic, Pacific, and the Gulf coasts as well as U.S. territories in the Caribbean to consider. Among this list of some of my favorites,  there’s something for everyone from Hawaii to Florida and beyond. 

Traveling to Key West is a fun adventure of its own. Traveling south of Miami, through the Florida Keys, is one of the most scenic drives in the country, with Key West at the southernmost point. Here you can enjoy a Caribbean vibe while staying within the continental U.S., with the average high temperature of 75 degrees during the heart of winter.

The beach at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park is one of the best destinations to plan your trip around, especially if you like to snorkel. It’s the top spot for snorkeling, with the water crystal-clear like glass and inhabited by a wide range of tropical fish, as well as various hard and soft corals. 

You’ll find other activities in the state park too, including walks on scenic nature trails, while other watersports like parasailing, paddleboarding, and jet skiing can be enjoyed nearby. One thing is sure: it’s easy to burn plenty of calories here, so you can indulge in a few slices of Key Lime Pie, guilt-free. In town, famous Duval Street is known for its colorful buildings housing quirky shops, art galleries, seafood restaurants, and iconic bars like the Green Parrot. Something you can look forward to at the end of every day is a glorious Keys sunset – watch the sun go down from the water on a sunset sailing excursion, and from Mallory Square, the top spot in town.

Sanibel Island is famous for its seashells as one of the world’s best places to find the prized treasures. When beachgoers hunt for them, they take the posture of what’s called the “Sanibel Stoop.” All offers sugary white sands, but if you’re looking for one of the most secluded and visually stunning, Bowman’s Beach is the quintessential spot. Located toward the island’s west end, it’s mostly undeveloped with no hotels or restaurants, only a boardwalk to stroll, some restrooms, and a wide open, beautiful beach. Beyond shelling, there’s a natural trail above the beach to explore and a launching spot for kayaks if you want to paddle through the mangroves.

While there aren’t any hotels on Bowman’s Beach, you’ll find a wide variety of accommodation options on the island, from vacation rentals and charming inns to resorts. 

Located along the Gulf Coast, Orange Beach offers around nine miles of sand, mostly made up of quartz. That not only means that it sparkles under the sun, but it stays cool, so you won’t burn your feet during barefoot strolls. While you could easily just relax and enjoy the view, it’s also a good place for sandcastle building, Frisbee tossing, and especially deep-sea fishing. The largest artificial fishing reef can be found here, providing the chance to catch your dinner from the pier or by heading out on a boat with rentals and charters available. This is also a popular departure point for dolphin-watching tours, with outfitters offering guaranteed sightings. 

The Wharf is a vibrant entertainment hub with shops, restaurants, a Ferris wheel, and an amphitheater for live music concerts, while the iconic Flora-Bama beach bar/restaurant/liquor store straddling the Alabama and Florida state line is a must. Try its famous Bushwacker, a milk-based drink that’s been the official beverage of the bar since it was first created in the 1970s. It’s rumored to contain five different types of liquor, although the recipe is top secret.

Maui offers something for everyone as one of the most popular islands to visit in Hawaii for couples and families with children alike. Wailea Beach is located in the luxurious Wailea resort community along the southwestern coast, an exclusive area that’s a favorite for honeymooners. It’s an ideal base for those seeking a more lavish, glamorous stay rather than being more rugged and remote, attracting celebrities and various VIPs. Wailea Beach itself is a quarter-mile stretch of golden sands sandwiched between two five-star resorts, the Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort at the north end and the Four Seasons Maui at Wailea at the south.

Pristine and uncrowded, the soft sand is ideal for barefoot strolls, taking in spectacular views of Molokini Crater, and watching glorious sunsets. You’ll also find numerous spots for fine dining, including restaurants that offer intimate beachfront dinners. You might want to combine the two on at least one day of your vacation, with sunset dinner cruises departing right from Wailea. There’s plenty of other entertainment on offer too, including nightly hula shows followed by live guitar and piano performances in the Four Seasons’ lounge, open to the general public. 

A lush oasis with colorful botanical gardens, cascading waterfalls that plunge to secluded pools for refreshing dips, dramatic cliffs, and postcard-perfect beaches, Kauai is an island made for nature lovers. Poipu Beach, a series of three white crescents of sand along the southern coast, is one of the most popular beach destinations, located in a resort area with a wide range of hotel choices and easy access to a variety of shopping and dining venues. It’s particularly ideal for families as there’s a protective cove on the left side of the sandbar that creates a natural pool that’s safe for little ones to splash around in. It’s also a good spot to watch for Hawaiian monk seals and sea turtles that often enjoy basking in the sun along the shore. 

There’s an incredible array of marine life here, making it one of the best places to snorkel on Kauai. Rainbow corals, eels, and many different types of tropical fish are commonly seen. If you’re lucky, you might find yourself swimming alongside sea turtles too. 

Kaunaoa Beach, often referred to as Mauna Kea, is one of the Big Island’s finest beaches. The sand is soft, perfect for peaceful barefoot strolls, while the clear cobalt water is less than 10 feet deep and has a sandy bottom, making it popular for swimming and snorkeling, especially by the rocks on the left side, which attract all sorts of colorful fish. When swells roll in and the surf picks up, it’s a great place for boogie boarding. The only downside is that the public parking is limited, so you’ll have to get here early in the morning to find a spot. 

Of course, if you’re staying at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, you won’t have to worry about parking. It sits right here along the crescent-shaped shoreline. Not only will you be steps from the sand, but you’ll have access to other activities. In between your time at the beach, you might play a round at the 18-hole golf course, swim in the pool, or indulge in pampering at the spa. There are multiple restaurants for dining on island-inspired cuisine, and weekly luaus are hosted too. 

St. John is widely regarded as the best for a beach getaway in the U.S. Virgin Islands, with roughly two-thirds of the island designated a national park. Much of it is undeveloped, with secluded beaches offering outstanding snorkeling and other activities on the water. Cinnamon Bay Beach on the North Shore makes a great base for those who want to enjoy a less-crowded area of the island with lots to do for nature lovers. There are even affordable options for camping right on the beach, or you can stay in one of the various vacation rentals or hotels nearby.

Right here at Cinnamon Bay, enjoy everything from swimming and paddleboarding to kayaking and strolls on the long stretch of pristine white sands. There’s plenty of shade to relax under when you’re ready to get out of the sun. If you want to explore inland, you’ll have easy access to hiking on the Cinnamon Bay Beach trail. The self-guided natural loop explores the ruins of an 18th-century sugar plantation and a bay rum factory with informative signs along the way about the area’s wildlife, plants, and history.

As a U.S. territory, you can visit Puerto Rico for a Caribbean escape without the need for a passport. One of the best places to stay for surreal beauty and outdoor adventures is Culebra Island. Less than 20 miles from the main island, there are no chain restaurants or sprawling hotels, and not much nightlife, but you will find one of the world’s most beautiful beaches. 

Flamenco Beach is often ranked among the planet’s best with silky soft, powdery white sands, clear turquoise water, and total serenity. The sand stretches along the entire bay, which is renowned for snorkeling, while abandoned tanks left behind by the U.S. military now lie artfully decorated in colorful Caribbean-inspired patterns. While most of the hotels, guesthouses, and vacation rentals are found elsewhere on Culebra, it is possible to stay just steps from the sands of Flamenco at Villa Flamenco Beach, a beautiful beachfront property with a half-dozen studio apartments.

Located in Southern California, Laguna Beach won’t be as warm as the Caribbean, Florida, or Hawaii, but temperatures are pleasant, with the average high temperature in the upper 60s during the winter. Plus, you won’t have to contend with the huge summer crowds, providing a more laid-back setting for surfing or watching the surfers ride the waves. You might recognize the lifeguard tower at Main Beach, which has become famous thanks to its many appearances in movies and TV. Located right in the heart of the city, a stay here will provide a central location with no shortage of activity options. 

Main Beach has a boardwalk with benches for people watching, public art installations, a grassy park, a children’s playground, and opportunities for everything from kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding to swimming, with lifeguards patrolling the area. If you like to go tidepooling, head to the north end to search for colorful marine creatures like sea anemones and starfish. Plus, you’ll have a wide range of accommodation options to choose from with shopping and dining at your doorstep.

For those who want more to do than soak up the sun and enjoy the surf, Mission Beach is a great option in San Diego. It has a lively boardwalk that spans two miles, ideal for strolling, jogging, cycling, and people watching, while the long stretch of soft sands provides plenty of room for everyone. You’ll have access to a wide range of watersports in the calm, protected waters, including paddleboarding, kayaking, wakeboarding, and jet skiing, while numerous attractions are nearby. Belmont Park, a historic oceanfront amusement park, is just steps from the beach and features arcade games, rides like the Giant Dipper roller coaster, mini-golf, shops, and more.

Huntington Beach is a quintessential Southern California surfing town and the name of the city’s beach, stretching for 3.5 miles in Orange County. It’s closer to Los Angeles/Hollywood attractions and Disneyland as compared to Laguna Beach and San Diego, if you want to enjoy a variety of activities in between your time on the sand. Anyone who surfs or has an interest in it will enjoy a stay here, with the chance to check out the Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum and the Surfing Walk of Fame that honors the many legends who’ve surfed the waves here. 

All the usual beach activities can be enjoyed at Huntington Beach, like sunbathing and sand castle building, and there are miles of paved paths for cycling with a beautiful view of the Pacific. The Huntington Beach pier is one of the longest on the West Coast and an icon in the city. It hosts shopping and dining venues while boasting breathtaking views of the crashing waves.

Tybee Island enjoys mild winter weather, with the season bringing fewer crowds and lower prices for a blissfully peaceful getaway. You’ll have your choice of secluded beach hideaways and access to some of the freshest seafood, minus the long wait for a table, with this being the peak season for shrimp and oysters. 

While swimming isn’t the most ideal now, the weather is typically quite pleasant for taking part in many outdoor activities, including tours to see the area’s dolphins and explore the military forts. It’s perfect for renting beach cruiser bikes to pedal while soaking in the views along the McQueen’s Island Historic Trail and perhaps checking out the historic Tybee Lighthouse. Kayaking, birdwatching, and even fossil hunting are popular this time of year too.