The 14 Beaches You Must Visit on the East Coast

Florida Beach at Canaveral National Seashore — Photo: Michael Warren/Getty Images

You'd be insulted—and argue otherwise—if someone claimed every Southern state is exactly alike, right? Well, we're here to mount a similar defense of the East Coast. The region tends to get lumped together, as if 2,000 miles of Atlantic coastline only contains a single landscape or beachgoing culture. But the truth is, the eastern seaboard is as varied as the people that make it up. Which means you're only cheating yourself if you declare, "Seen one beach, seen 'em all." From Maine to Florida, we've put a pin in the can't-miss stretches of East Coast shoreline. With everything from sea turtles to powdery sand to dunes that'll leave you breathless, these 14 spots prove that every beach has its own identity.

01 of 14

Hammonasset Beach State Park

Meigs Point. Hammonasset Beach, Madison CT — Enzo Figueres/Getty Images

Madison, Connecticut

As the largest shoreline park in Connecticut, this stunning locale has attracted visitors since its official opening in 1920—and we understand its appeal: With everything from swimming and beach-strolling to boating, biking, kayaking, camping, and fishing, Hammonasset eliminates any possibility of beachfront boredom. There's even an auditory experience to enjoy: When the tide comes in at Meigs Point, the "singing beach," clinking shells create a seaside chorus.

1288 Boston Post Road, Madison, CT 06443, ct.gov

02 of 14

Cape Henlopen State Park

Lewes, Delaware

With its gentle dunes and unbeatable views of historic lighthouses, this six-mile stretch of shoreline is a peaceful escape from the bustle of other Delaware beaches. Borrow a free bike for two hours and traverse the park's varied landscape (which ranges from maritime forest to sandy shores), or head to the overlook and see if you spot any dolphins or seals.

15099 Cape Henlopen Drive, Lewes, DE 19958, destateparks.com

03 of 14

Canaveral National Seashore

New Smyrna Beach, Florida

At 24 miles long, this barrier island is the longest undeveloped stretch on the entire east coast of Florida. Nestled between the charming towns of New Smyrna Beach and Titusville, the sands of Canaveral National Seashore are a sanctuary not just for beachgoers, but for wildlife, including several endangered species. The park is specifically known as a refuge for sea turtles, which nest on its tawny shoreline.

7611 S. Atlantic Avenue, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169, nps.gov

04 of 14

Tybee Island

Tybee Island, Georgia

A barrier island with five miles of powdery sands and five separate beaches, Tybee Island is considered "Savannah's Beach" because of its easy access to the thriving downtown just 20 minutes away. The wide beaches are great for fat-tire cruising or strolling, while warm waters make for fantastic swimming nearly year-round.

802 1st Street, Tybee Island, GA 31328, visittybee.com

05 of 14

Ogunquit Beach

Ogunquit, Maine

Although Maine is typically remembered for its rocky shores, you'll find stellar white beaches at its southern end, with Ogunquit—the native Algonquin tribe's word for "beautiful place by the sea"—as the crown jewel. The former home of an artist's colony, this New England beach extends for three gorgeous miles, with broad, pale sands. Insiders know that the middle stretch is the quietest place to sunbathe.

124 Beach Street, Ogunquit, ME 03907, ogunquit.org

06 of 14

South Ocean Beach

Wild and windy, this “civilized” stretch in the midst of the famed Assateague Island National Seashore has 12 miles of drivable shoreline (with a proper OSV permit) and offers super crabbing, clamming, surf fishing, and escape, not to mention superb wave — VW Pics/Getty Images

Berlin, Maryland

Wild, windy, and where horses roam free, Assateague Island National Seashore has that delightful middle-of-nowhere feel, with South Ocean Beach as its "civilized" stretch. The park has 12 miles of drivable shoreline (with a proper OSV permit) and offers superb crabbing, clamming, surf fishing, and wave riding in the steady Atlantic swell.

Bayberry Drive, Berlin, MD 21811, nps.gov

07 of 14

Coast Guard Beach

Eastham, Massachusetts

Hemmed in by dunes and open to the Atlantic (but with mostly gentle waves), this beach is the beginning of a 20-plus-mile-long run of unbroken coastline that Henry David Thoreau called "The Great Beach." Though the poet is known for walking what's now the Cape Cod National Seashore, this portion is also a prime spot for swimming (and is close to the quaint village of Eastham). History lovers will enjoy lazing where the Mayflower made landfall in 1620.

Little Creek Parking Lot, Doane Road, Eastham, MA, nps.gov

08 of 14

The Cove

Cape May, New Jersey

With 2.5 miles of beaches facing the Atlantic on one side and the Delaware Bay on the other, Cape May has sandy charm in spades. (Did we mention the town is packed with intricate Victorian homes?) One among several terrific city beaches here, The Cove—with its gentle slope and steady swell—is chief among the treasures and beloved by families and surfers alike.

Beach Avenue, Cape May, NJ 08204, capemay.com

09 of 14

Hampton Beach

Hampton, New Hampshire

Who says New Hampshire doesn't have beach bonafides? Although its shore is the shortest of any coastal state—only 13 miles long—you won't want to bypass Hampton Beach. Think wide beaches, sweeping Atlantic views, and family-friendly amusements along the boardwalk. It's laid-back and known for being clean.

160 Ocean Boulevard, Hampton, NH 03842, nhstateparks.org

10 of 14

Main Beach

Even celebrities can’t resist hitting the gorgeous, broad beach here in East Hampton. And who can blame them? One of five beaches owned by the Long Island village, Main Beach is impeccably clean, and has soft sands and gloriously clean water. — Kirkikis/Getty Images

East Hampton, New York

Even celebrities can't resist hitting this gorgeous, broad beach in the Hamptons. And who can blame them? One of five beaches owned by the Village of East Hampton, Main Beach is impeccably clean (in and out of the water!) and has luxuriously soft sands.

104 Ocean Avenue, East Hampton, NY 11937, easthamptonvillage.org

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Ocracoke Beach

In a state blessed with extraordinary beaches from one end to the other, this barrier island beach has deep Outer Banks magic: 16 miles of undeveloped dunes and wild sands that lure everyone from sunbathers and sandcastle builders to shell-hunters and sur — Radius Images/Getty Images

Ocracoke, North Carolina

North Carolina is blessed with a bounty of extraordinary beaches, so for Ocracoke Beach to earn a spot on this list, it has to possess some serious Outer Banks magic. It's hard to beat these vacation-spot credentials: barrier-island privacy, 16 miles of undeveloped dunes and wild sands, off-road vehicle access, and top-notch seashell hunting.

Highway 12, Ocracoke, NC 27960, visitocracokenc.com

12 of 14

Crescent Beach

You’ve got to hop a ferry to get to Block Island, the teardrop-shaped isle 13 miles south of the Rhode Island coast, but it’s worth every nautical mile. Here on this little island full of wonders lies Crescent Beach, a 2.5-mile tawny stretch with family-f — Photo courtesy Block Island Tourism Council

Block Island, Rhode Island

You'll have to hop a ferry to reach Block Island, the teardrop-shaped isle 12 miles south of the Rhode Island coast, but it's worth the journey. Here on this stunning slice of land, known by Native Americans as "Little God's Island," lies Crescent Beach. This 2.5-mile, white-sand stretch offers family-friendly amenities (hello, cabanas!) and glorious surf. And it's just a short walk from the ferry.

Corn Neck Road, Block Island, RI 02807, visitrhodeisland.com

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Folly Beach

Folly Beach, South Carolina

A short drive from Charleston, Folly Beach is a barrier island both near to city life and millions of miles away. Funky, free-spirited, and full of surfers, sun-seekers, and quirky souls, this is off-the-beaten-path beach life in all its glory. Start your adventure at Center Beach and the Folly Pier, then head to Folly Beach County Park, at the island's west end, for a true escape. Peek at the pelican rookery while you're there.

101 E. Arctic Avenue, Folly Beach, SC 29439, follybeach.com

14 of 14

Sandbridge Beach

Officially a part of the Virginia Beach metro area, this secluded hideaway of five miles of pristine dunes and wild oats 15 miles south of the boardwalk-and-funnel-cake action is an incredible discovery with a family vibe. The peaceful community of beach — SherryVSmith_Images/Getty Images

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Although officially a part of the Virginia Beach metro area, you won't catch any boardwalk-and-funnel-cake vibes at this secluded escape. Try five miles of pristine dunes and sea oats (a tall grass known for its spiky plumes) blowing in the wind. Situated alongside a serene community of beach houses and small restaurants, this spot is nothing short of an East Coast paradise.

Sandfiddler Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23456, virginia.org

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