Best Beaches in the USA

Where To Go Next – For many of us, it’s not a vacation unless it includes the beach.

Start making plans to visit one or more of these top-rated beaches in the USA, for sand and surf, sunrises and sunsets, snorkeling and shell collection, and serenity.

Best beaches in the USA_ecoxplorer — Photo: DiscoverAmerica.com

Winners span from Maine to Oregon, and eight different states. That means the best beaches in the USA are within driving distance for many of us, and an airplane flight away for other.

Not surprisingly, Hawaii and Florida shine with the most award-winning beaches – and Hawaii leads with 10 winners, including the coveted No. 1 spot.

This list was compiled by Tripadvisor, based on an analysis of all the reviews left on the website by real people who visited in a one-year period between May 2023 and April 2024.

There a similar list of world’s best beaches and best sustainable beaches.

Ka’anapali Beach on the island of Maui gets the best in the U.S. title for the second year in a row.

Nearing 10,000 reviews, Ka’anapali also ranks No. 4 in the world.

This Hawaiian getaway has crystal clear waters perfect for snorkeling and surfing, against a backdrop of lush mountains. Visitors recommend the daily cliff diving ceremony at Pu’u Keka’a (Black Rock), held on the northern end of the beach at sunset.

Top 10 Beaches in the U.S. for 2024

Ka'anapali Beach, Maui is the top-rated beach in the USA_ecoxplorer — Photo: TripAdvisor

Ka’anapali Beach – Lahaina, Hawaii

Good for: wildlife sightings, water sports
Best time to visit: It’s never a bad time to visit Maui. The most affordable hotel prices can be found in the fall, but winter brings unbelievable whale watching – even from the shores of the beach.

Siesta Beach – Siesta Key, Florida

Good for: sunbathing, families
Best time to visit: Fall is a great time to visit Siesta Key to snag lower hotel prices and enjoy post-summer sunshine.

Poipu Beach Park – Poipu, Hawaii

Good for: snorkeling, sea turtle sightings
Best time to visit: Shoulder season is the best time to visit Oahu: from mid-April to early June or between September and November, when attractions are less crowded and rates are lower.

Hollywood Beach – Hollywood, Florida

Good for: sunbathing, boardwalk, families
Best time to visit: The weather in Hollywood is the most pleasant between December and April.

La Jolla Cove – La Jolla, California

Good for: sea lion spotting, cliff walks
Best time to visit: Temperatures in San Diego are at their best between March through May, and September through November

Cannon Beach, Oregon is voted one of the ten best beaches in the USA_ecoxplorer — Photo: www.cannonbeach.org

Cannon Beach – Cannon Beach, Oregon

Good for: photography (particularly of the monolithic Haystack Rock), wildlife sightings
Best time to visit: Hotel prices are generally lowest in the winter months, but visit in June to catch the annual sandcastle contest.

Santa Monica State Beach – Santa Monica, California

Good for: sunbathing, families
Best time to visit: Hotel prices are generally lowest in the winter months.

10 best beaches in the USA include Driftwood Beach on Jekylll Island_ecoxplorer — Photo: Jekyll Island Club Resort

Driftwood Beach – Jekyll Island, Georgia

Good for: photography (don’t miss capturing the beach’s namesake driftwood!), nature-lovers
Best time to visit: Hotel prices are generally lowest in the winter months.

Coligny Beach – Hilton Head, South Carolina

Good for: sunbathing, biking trails
Best time to visit: Mid-September is far less crowded than the summer, and still has great weather.

Ocean City Beach – Ocean City, Maryland

Good for: families, surfing
Best time to visit: Spring is a great time to visit, both for more affordable prices and less crowds, as many families flock to Ocean City in the summer months.

Which beaches have you visited already – and which ones are you putting on your bucket list?

ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is a journalist with 25+ years of experience as a newspaper and magazine writer, radio & TV news producer & reporter, and author of guidebooks and smartphone apps – all focusing on travel, automotive, the environment and your rights as a consumer.