10 Best Beach Locations
Summer is here, vaccines are distributed, and COVID-19 restrictions are being lifted everywhere, which means it’s time to let loose and make some good times at the beach! While it is great to see everyone out and about, many of the typical vacation spots are a little more crowded than usual. If you want to travel but skip the crowds, the team at Helena Deneen has got you covered! Here are 10 hidden beach destinations in the continental United States that you should check out this summer.
ONE
Assateague Island, Maryland
Assateague Island is a part of a secluded nature sanctuary and is home to wild horses and other animals that graze the lands. The beach isn’t accessible by car (only on foot or by boat) but definitely worth it to see a wild horse or two!
TWO
South Manitou Island, Michigan
Lake Michigan is so wide and stretches out so far it feels a lot like looking out into the sea. On South Manitou Island, only reachable by ferry, travelers can attain the ideal sand-filled beach experience, with lighthouses standing tall in the background, minus the crowds.
THREE
Carova Beach, North Carolina
There aren’t many fully paved roads on this side of North Carolina’s Outer Banks, making Carova Beach seem like it resides at the edge of the world. But before you can lounge in the sun, you’ve got to drive through some sand dunes, so make sure to rent a vehicle with four wheel drive to make the excursion more enjoyable.
FOUR
Cumberland Island, Georgia
Catch the ferry and enjoy 18 miles of secluded heaven. You can pop a squat on the sand dunes and observe wild horses grazing or venture through the Spanish mission ruins and 19th-century homes. Or, chill by the surf. It's the perfect beach spot for any nature junkie.
FIVE
Pompano Beach, Florida
The native residents say summer here is their best-kept secret. The weather is cooler, breezier, and drier than the humid summers further north. Visitors can fish, boat, dive, and snorkel at a living reef offshore. There's also a 1,000-foot-long municipal fishing pier and 50 parks scattered everywhere.
SIX
Gold Beach, Oregon
Oregon's Gold Beach mixes tranquility and excitement perfectly. You can stroll down isolated beaches, tide pooling, fishing, and jet boat tours on the Rogue River. Beachgoers can also explore the rainforest or spend afternoons whale watching.
SEVEN
Chincoteague Island, Virginia
Chincoteague Island is routinely recognized by various publishers and sites as being a phenomenal beach spot. There are no high-rises or boardwalks on the 7-mile-long island. All that exists are endless beaches, breathtaking sunsets, and pristine natural landscapes. Biking, hiking, birdwatching, and boating are popular along with crabbing and clamming.
EIGHT
Lubec, Maine
Lubec has the distinct honor of being the most easterly town in the United States with two lighthouses, fishing wharves, and nearly 100 miles of shoreline. Perfect for any beach goer.
NINE
Essex, Massachusetts
In Essex, you can explore the pristine lengths of Crane Beach in nearby Ipswich. A place that realizes small-town New England beach life to the fullest, Essex has yet to be too urbanized or overrun by crowds. It still has numerous winding country roads and gorgeous marshes and estuaries that can be explored in small rowboats or kayaks.
TEN
South Padre Island, Texas
Though it’s particularly crowded during Spring Break, during the summer the crowds disperse, and the community becomes an alluring, family-friendly destination with 34 miles of white sand beach, emerald water, fishing, water sports, sandcastle lessons, and the Schlitterbahn Waterpark.
While you’re traveling from place to place make sure to keep track of your luggage! Purchasing a Helena Deneen luxury bag identifier can bring immense ease to your rigorous travel schedule by making it easy to spot your luggage in a sea of suitcases. With an arrangement of colors and style, our individualized Persona tags bring ease and style to your traveling experience all tied up in a luxe bow. Order yours here.
