Best Swimming Beaches in America
Discover the best swimming beaches across America. Find sandy shores, gentle waves, and perfect spots for family beach days.
All Swimming Beaches
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4.8(3,362)Naples Beach
Seven-mile, white-sand beach along the turquoise gulf with a serene atmosphere & a fishing pier.
4.8(1,465)Lovers Point Beach
Quaint public beach with a rocky point break popular with surfers, swimmers & boaters.
4.8(27)Hidden Beach
Pacific front sandy beach in a sheltered cove with a neighborhood park, benches & playground.
4.8(655)Boneyard Beach
Sandy state park beach scattered with twisted dead trees, branches & driftwood, accessed by trail.
4.8(1,216)Moonstone Beach Park
This 30-acre park features a serene beach bordered by small, rocky bluffs & a boardwalk.
4.8(2,133)Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Beach
Known as "Florida's Beach Diving Capital," Lauderdale-by-the-Sea offers three living coral reefs just 100 yards from shore — accessible without a boat. The 2.5 miles of smooth, latte-colored sandy beaches have an old-Florida charm with no high-rises, and the reefs teem with tropical fish, spiny lobsters, and moray eels at depths of 10-25 feet. History buffs can explore the wreck of the SS Copenhagen, an 1900 steamship now on the National Register of Historic Places, via the Shipwreck Snorkel Trail.
4.8(2,910)Carmel River State Beach
This mile-long beach offers bird watching opportunities & a popular scuba diving entry point.
4.7(2,492)Moonlight State Beach
Sandy beach with a snack bar, playground, volleyball & tennis courts & recreation equipment rentals.
4.7(4,640)Manasota Key Beach
Wide sandy beach rimmed with tropical foliage & trails, plus boat ramps & fishing on the sound side.
4.7(1,338)Pomponio State Beach
Oceanside scenic sandy beaches with a small lagoon, plus picnic tables & barbecues.
4.7(4,449)South Beach Park, Boca Raton
A 24.5-acre beach area featuring 3 swimming areas plus surf, fishing & bird-watching opportunities.
4.7(1,808)Bruce's Beach
Small local park known for its role in African-American history, as well as its scenic views.
4.7(3,438)Nokomis Public Beach
A laid-back Gulf Coast gem in Sarasota County, Nokomis Beach is known for pristine white sand, clear waters, and excellent shark tooth and shell hunting. The beach hosts popular drum circles on Wednesdays and Saturdays near the lifeguard tower, with stunning Gulf sunsets as the backdrop. Free parking and admission, plus amenities including restrooms, showers, a boardwalk, sand volleyball, a boat ramp, and concessions serving snacks and ice cream.
4.7(7,179)Mission Beach Park
Large grassy space beside the beach boardwalk offers benches for picnics & recreational activities.
4.7(1,732)Sullivan's Island Beach
Spacious, sandy beach with a quiet vibe, a wooden boardwalk & a square-shaped lighthouse.
4.7(207)Avon Beach
This scenic public beach features a wide sandy beachfront, expansive boardwalk & nearby concessions.
4.7(7,589)Children's Pool La Jolla
Protected sandy cove home to many adult harbor seals & their pups, open for swimming in summer.
4.7(975)Ocean Ridge Hammock Park
Accessed by a wooded trail, this secluded area offers an unguarded beach area, swimming & fishing.
4.7(6,003)Mission Beach Boardwalk
Longtime beachfront boardwalk featuring shops, an old-school amusement park & ocean activities.
4.7(1,397)Ocean City Beach
Extensive, 10-mile-long public beach with water sports, a boardwalk & an amusement park.
Trip packing checklist
Gear for Swimming Beaches
Useful gear categories for this kind of water trip. These links open Amazon search results so you can compare current options before you go.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Keeps sun exposure manageable when shade is limited.
Useful for beach trips where sunscreen reapplication is easy to forget.
Packs smaller than cotton and dries faster after swims.
Worth comparing if the beach has clear, calm water.
Tips for Visiting Swimming Beaches
Arrive early for best parking and beach spot selection
Check for lifeguard schedules and swim only in designated areas
Bring reef-safe sunscreen to protect marine life
Watch for beach flags indicating water conditions