There are plenty of sunny days ahead, and you’re probably already thinking of the sandy destinations you could visit to sit down, unwind, and soak up some much-needed sunlight. Picking the right beach for your next trip is crucial to ensuring you get the most out of your next getaway and have the time of your life in the process.
Fortunately, we’re here to help find the place just for you and your needs. In this post, you’ll meet this year’s top ten beaches in the United States as per Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best 2024 by Tripadvisor. It is worth noting that the all-things-travel guidance platform respected travelers’ opinions and created the listing according to the quantity and quality of global reviews and ratings.
Are you after white sand or state-of-the-art amenities? Maybe, you’re looking for activities to keep you busy in the days to come? Whatever your heart desires, one of these top-rated beaches by Tripadvisor travelers is bound to leave you with nothing but good memories!
Ka’anapali Beach – Lahaina, Hawaii
Ka’anapali Beach is a first-class gem that is second to no other beach found in the States. The Hawaiian retreat is located on the west shore of Maui and is open to the public like all other beaches on the island. The beach is famous for its aquamarine, crystal-clear water that makes it a perfect spot for snorkeling, diving, and surfing. Though accommodation prices drop in the fall, tourism is active year-round in this part of the world.
If you’re visiting Ka’anapali Beach, try participating in the cliff diving ceremony at the Black Rock which takes place daily. You can also enjoy a scenic flight across the island or go whale-watching if you’re traveling in winter.
Fun fact: Ka’anapali Beach was ranked as the fourth-best beach in the world in 2024
Siesta Beach – Siesta Key, Florida
The number one Florida contestant also happens to be the ninth best-rated beach on the globe. Siesta Beach lies on Siesta Key and is renowned for its out-of-the-world appearance thanks to its white quartz sand. It is a vibrant beach featuring four manned lifeguard stations and is open to the public. If the beach is too crowded for your taste in the summer, you can consider visiting it on a warm day in the spring or fall.
Since swimming and playing in the water at Siesta Beach is considered very safe, this destination is great for individuals and families with children alike. It is also great for those interested in watersports, boating, kayaking, or busy nightlife. If you look very closely, you might even see a dolphin or two passing by!
Fun fact: the vast majority of quartz building up the beach derives from the Appalachian Mountains and was deposited in the area over millions of years.
Poipu Beach Park – Poipu, Hawaii
This list would not be complete without Poipu Beach Park, a mesmerizing beach nestled on the southern coast of Hawaii’s Kauaʻi island. The park is accessible to the public and attracts plenty of visitors year-round. If you’re after those peaceful vibes, consider going in the low season between September to December or April to June.
The destination is not only great for swimming and snorkeling but also comes with opportunities to see wildlife in their habitats both in and out of the sea. Surfing, bodyboarding, and other water activities are also part of the active lifestyle in the area.
Fun fact: Poipu Beach Park is made of two beaches and two bays separated by a gorgeous tombolo called Nukumoi Point.
Hollywood Beach – Hollywood, Florida
From Hawaii to Florida, our list brings us to the famed Hollywood Beach. Facing the Atlantic between Miami and Ft. Lauderdale, this public-access destination is always teeming with life and makes a perfect vacation spot for those who get bored easily. Though most people come here in summer, mild weather and fewer crowds make it an idyllic destination in the fall.
The scenic stretch of beach offers plenty of designated spots for swimming with 21 lifeguard towers operating all year. But swimming and sunbathing aren’t the only things Hollywood Beach is known for. The place is booming with activities like skating, cycling, strolling, and beach sports. It’s also rich in seafood eateries, stores, bars, hotels, and resorts.
Fun fact: Hollywood Beach attracts around 7 million visitors annually.
La Jolla Cove – La Jolla, California
California’s La Jolla Cove is a snorkeler’s paradise resting on the coast of San Diego. Surrounded by sandstone cliffs, the cove is famous for its calm and clear waters and is part of a protected marine reserve. La Jolla Cove is open to the public and can be visited year-round though most action is happening in the summer months.
Thanks to the pristine nature in the area, La Jolla Cove is popular among snorkelers, swimmers, and scuba divers. Swimming is relatively safe, and the cove offers many opportunities to explore the local flora and fauna.
Fun fact: Water visibility at La Jolla Cove sometimes exceeds 30 feet.
Cannon Beach – Cannon Beach, Oregon
Another Pacific Coast contender worth mentioning is Cannon Beach. The picturesque coastal city on the northwest shore of Oregon features a namesake beach and is known as one of the best places for photography thanks to the majestic and iconic coastal rock formations known as Haystack Rock and The Needles.
While the destination is ideal for bird watching and photography, it is also a good choice for picnicking, hiking, swimming, and sunbathing if you choose to visit during the warmer and drier months from June to October.
Fun fact: Cannon Beach is one of the most photographed beaches in Oregon thanks to the towering rock formations in the background.
Santa Monica State Beach – Santa Monica, California
Coming in seventh on Tripadvisor’s list of best beaches across the nation is Santa Monica State Beach. The beach, which runs along Pacific Coast Highway and is maintained by the city of Santa Monica, is open to the public and is most visited during the warm summer months.
Santa Monica Beach is a two-mile stretch of sand teeming with shops, eateries, and a picnic area. It is a good destination for families looking to engage in water activities like surfing or paddleboarding or simply go for a swim.
Fun fact: The Santa Monica Pier is more than 100 years old.
Driftwood Beach – Jekyll Island, Georgia
Driftwood Beach is nestled on the northern tip of Georgia’s Jekyll Island and is famous for the ancient driftwood trees resembling monuments. While pedestrians can enter the island free of charge, those with cars have to pay a daily fee that you forget all about when the magical vibes from the crooked trees on the sandy beach take over.
The beach is most popular among nature and photography lovers. It is also a good destination for families with children thanks to easy access to Clam Creek Picnic Area and plenty of other attractions scattered across Jekyll Island. A nearby campsite is also one of the reasons why the beach is so popular among seasoned travelers.
Fun fact: Only a third of Jekyll Island is developed because the land is owned and protected by the State of Georgia.
Coligny Beach – Hilton Head, South Carolina
Located in Hilton Head, South Carolina, Coligny Beach is an award-winning oceanfront park that is open to the public 24 hours a day. The well-developed retreat is teeming with tourists in the summer months but also makes a great spot for visitors in the spring when prices are more affordable.
Coligny Beach is great for families and couples seeking to unwind while enjoying top-notch amenities and eateries within walking distance. The beach is also popular among swimmers and surfers. But worry not! If water’s not your thing, you’ll surely enjoy a late-afternoon stroll down the beach or find comfort in a drink or two while gazing at the horizon.
Fun fact: Coligny Beach is often named one of the most family-friendly beaches in the United States.
Ocean City Beach – Ocean City, Maryland
Another family-friendly beach filled with activities and attractions is Maryland’s Ocean City Beach. The 10-mile-long beach is open to the public and serves as a perfect getaway for many Americans. The majority of people visit the beach from late May to early September when the temperatures are at their hottest.
Ocean City Beach is home to a scenic boardwalk and an amusement park. If going on a Ferris wheel isn’t how you have fun, you’ll be happy to know that the place is also great for swimming and surfing and is teeming with water sports of all kinds.
Fun fact: As many as eight million people visit this beach annually.