10 of the most beautiful beaches in the USA

With coastlines along the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and the Great Lakes, various US states offer an incredible variety of waterfront destinations just waiting to be explored. Here, we round up ten of the most beautiful beaches in the USA, perfect for a scenic getaway.

On the northern end of Georgia’s Jekyll Island, Driftwood Beach is eerily beautiful. Constant erosion has created a landscape of gnarled dead pine and water oak trees, bleached by the sun and scattered across the smooth sand. 

Unsurprisingly – thanks to this backdrop of twisted natural sculptures – sunsets here are a real draw. Walk right to the end of the beach and you’ll find it gets emptier and more otherworldly the further you go. 

The tiny tidal pools are also worth exploring at low tide as their clear waters are home to several species of crab, fish and other sea creatures.

At first glance, Pfeiffer Beach looks almost extraterrestrial but its unique charm is sure to make it one of the best beaches in the USA. 

The metallic, purple sheen of the sand here at Pfeiffer was caused by the erosion of nearby hillsides. This led to manganese garnet on the beach and an incredible vista.

At the southern tip of Florida, Miami’s South Beach (also known as SoBe) is one of the most famous strips of sand in the USA for good reason. 

The sand is just as white, the sea just as turquoise and the mood just as glamorous and carefree as you might expect. Rollerbladers glide through the beachfront parks backed by Art Deco architecture and neon signage, while sunbathers lie on the beach beside lifeguard towers. 

You can surf, parasail, jet ski here or simply sunbathe and sample some of South Beach’s Latin cocktails.

This neighbourhood’s Hispanic heritage means that visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to Cuban cuisine and drinks. Try ropa vieja (shredded beef in a rich tomato, pepper and spice sauce served with rice) and yuca (a garlicky root vegetable dish marinated in lime and olive oil).

With its wooden pier extending 1000 feet into the Atlantic and culminating in a grand, diamond-shaped pavilion, this beach in South Carolina has an irresistible charm. 

Folly Beach is located on an island south of Charleston and fills up with sunseekers and surfers escaping the city once the weather warms up in April. 

Watch lilac sunsets over the golden sand or take a boat tour around the island, to spot leaping dolphins and the Morris Island Lighthouse that’s slowly eroding in shallow waters. 

For dinner, Bowens Island Restaurant can be found a little further back from the beach towards Charleston. It dates back to the mid-1940s and serves up some of the finest fresh oysters and shrimp in the area. 

Return to the seafront for live music and drinks at patio bar Loggerhead’s Beach Grill or the Surf Bar, with its cheerful, beach shack-style decor.

Kill Devil Hills is a town on North Carolina’s Outer Banks that’s flanked by numerous impressive beaches. 

It’s also heaven for surfers, with a variety of wave heights and intensities, promising solid swells for riders of all skill levels. 

These days, the Atlantic winds attract windsurfers, but over 100 years ago they also brought in the Wright Brothers to conduct the first controlled, powered aeroplane flight in 1903.

Frequently described as the best beach in Florida, Siesta Key can be found on a small barrier island off the Sunshine State’s west coast, not far from the city of Sarasota. 

The sand here is powder-fine – in fact it’s 99% quartz meaning it doesn’t get too hot to the touch in the sunshine.

The beach is long and wide enough to promise plenty of space to spread out. Spend the day playing volleyball on the sand and jumping through the waves. In the evening, drive to downtown Sarasota to try out its restaurant scene – enjoy Southern fare like pecan-crusted trout with crawfish butter and jambalaya with shrimp at Owen’s Fish Camp.

With 32 miles of bright white sandy beaches lapped by turquoise waves, Gulf Shores is one of the best beaches in Alabama for its coastal beauty. 

Spend your days basking in the sun or swimming in the balmy waters. Or head to Gulf State Park to go fishing or on a dolphin-spotting boat cruise. 

There are pelicans aplenty that flock around the public pier when the fishermen return with their catch – the seafood is especially good here and oysters are the local speciality. 

Gulf Shores also prides itself on its accessibility and sustainable approach, with schemes and campaigns to ensure the beach is kept clean. 

Waikiki is one of Hawaii’s biggest and most beautiful beaches. Activities here include greeting the idyllic island sunrises with yoga classes on the beach, surfing lessons in world-class waves and surreally special moonlit dinners at one of the many beachside bars and restaurants.

A little over a one-hour drive from the coast of LA, Oxnard Beach Park often serves as a gateway to the Channel Islands – a National Park archipelago rich in wildlife and natural beauty. 

Embark on a dolphin-spotting boat trip to these islands but don’t forget to explore Oxnard’s Downtown, with heritage houses, churches and turn-of-the-century streets. 

Backed by pastel-painted condos and the 9,000-acre Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Sandbridge is a low-key coastal retreat just south of the more well-known Virginia Beach. This is one for nature lovers and active families, with the opportunity to see dolphins and turtles as you kayak through calm Atlantic swells. 

Or spot native birds and other animals in the dunes, marshland and maritime forests of the Wildlife Refuge. Another great way to enjoy the area is by bike, cycling through the nearby False Cape State Park. 

There’s not much in the way of restaurants or cafés here but that’s all the more reason for an atmospheric picnic on the uncrowded beach.

From the rugged driftwood shores of Georgia to the sun-kissed sands of Hawaii, the USA’s beaches offer a great diversity of beauty and experiences. Whether you’re after a breezy coastal escape on your city break or craving a tranquil nature retreat – these coasts showcase the very best of the USA's shoreline.