Best Beaches in Clearwater, Florida

Clearwater offers some of Florida’s most pristine Gulf beaches. The calm, warm waters and consistent sunshine make it ideal year-round, while the barrier islands provide everything from family-friendly swimming to secluded nature experiences. The area’s white sand, shallow Gulf waters, and excellent amenities keep visitors coming back.

Best for Families

Clearwater Beach is consistently rated one of America’s best beaches, and for good reason. The main beach runs 1.5 miles along the Gulf, with lifeguards on duty year-round, gentle waves, and shallow water extending far offshore. The pier at the north end offers free parking for 2 hours (metered thereafter), plus restaurants and bait shops. A dedicated family area near the pavilion features playground equipment, picnic tables, and easy restroom access. The beach is wide here, giving families ample room. Parking lots are available throughout, though summer weekends fill early.

Best Beaches in Cocoa Beach, Florida

Cocoa Beach sits on Florida’s Space Coast, renowned for consistent waves, a legendary fishing pier, and unique access to protected coastal preserves. The Atlantic Ocean here is cooler and more dynamic than Gulf beaches, making it a surfer’s haven and a favorite for active beach-goers. The area balances family amenities with a laid-back, surf-town atmosphere.

Best for Families

Cocoa Beach Pier Area is the heart of family activity. The iconic 800-foot Cocoa Beach Pier stretches into the Atlantic, offering free pedestrian access with paid parking ($5–$7 daily in nearby lots). The pier hosts restaurants, shops, and fishing opportunities. The beach immediately around the pier is wide, patrolled by lifeguards year-round, and backed by a commercial district with restrooms, showers, and amenities. Waves are generally moderate, making it suitable for older children and confident swimmers. Younger kids thrive in the shallower areas north of the pier.

Best Beaches in Destin, Florida

Destin’s Emerald Coast is famous for powder-soft white sand and impossibly clear turquoise water. The shallow Gulf waters, mild year-round temperatures, and excellent infrastructure make it one of America’s premier beach destinations. From family-friendly zones to pristine state parks, Destin accommodates every beach preference.

Best for Families

Destin Beach (the main public beach) offers everything families need. Lifeguards patrol year-round. The beach is exceptionally wide, backed by a commercial district with restaurants, restrooms, and showers. Free public parking is available near the main beach pavilion; paid lots run $5–$8 daily. The water is calm, shallow, and consistently warm (75–80°F in summer). The nearby fishing pier offers free pedestrian access and dining options. Rentals for umbrellas, chairs, and floaties are abundant.

Best Beaches in Hilton Head, South Carolina

Hilton Head Island offers a refined beach experience where pristine shorelines blend with upscale amenities and strong environmental stewardship. The island’s 12-mile beach is accessible via multiple public entry points, each with distinct character. Tidal marshes, maritime forests, and wildlife preservation distinguish Hilton Head from other Atlantic Coast destinations.

Best for Families

Coligny Beach Park, Hilton Head’s most accessible public beach, is the family hub. Free parking is available (though it fills on summer weekends), along with lifeguards, restroom facilities, showers, and a nearby commercial district offering ice cream, rentals, and restaurants. The beach is wide and well-maintained, with calm waters ideal for young swimmers. The park includes playground equipment, picnic tables, and boardwalks. Beach chair and umbrella rentals are available from multiple vendors. Coligny’s central location makes it convenient for resort guests and day-trippers alike.

Best Beaches in Miami Beach, Florida

Miami Beach is the ultimate urban beach destination. The 6-mile shoreline stretches from South Beach’s energetic Art Deco core to quieter residential North Beach and exclusive Key Biscayne. Year-round warm water (75–80°F), consistent sunshine, and incredible dining and nightlife make Miami Beach a premier getaway. The beaches here offer diversity within a compact area—from party atmosphere to peaceful sanctuary.

Best for Families

South Beach Central (between 5th and 23rd Streets) is the famous epicenter. Lifeguards patrol constantly. The beach is wide, backed by the iconic Art Deco Historic District with restaurants, shops, and entertainment. Parking is metered ($2–$4 per hour; $20 daily max) in numerous lots. Public restrooms and showers are available. The water is warm and generally calm, ideal for swimming. The energy is vibrant, especially evenings and weekends. Umbrella and chair rentals are abundant. The atmosphere appeals to those seeking action and people-watching.

Best Beaches in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

The Grand Strand stretches 60 miles along South Carolina’s coast, with Myrtle Beach as its beating heart. Whether you’re seeking family fun, peaceful solitude, or adrenaline-pumping waves, Myrtle Beach’s diverse shoreline delivers. Each section of beach offers distinct characteristics—from bustling promenades to serene coastal parks.

Best for Families

North Myrtle Beach is the top choice for families. Quieter than central Myrtle Beach, it offers calm waters ideal for young swimmers. The North Myrtle Beach State Park provides ample parking (metered), boardwalk access, and plenty of nearby restaurants. The beach here is wider than central sections, giving families plenty of room to spread out. Lifeguards are on duty during summer months, and the nearby Marina Inlet offers protected swimming areas.

Best Beaches in Oceanside, California

Oceanside, 30 miles north of San Diego, combines small-town charm with world-class beaches. The iconic Oceanside Pier stretches 1,942 feet into the Pacific, anchoring a laid-back beach community. From the active city beach to quieter southern sections and upscale Carlsbad, Oceanside County offers something for everyone. The consistent California climate (70°F year-round) and reliable Pacific swells make it a surfer’s paradise.

Best for Families

Oceanside City Beach, anchored by the historic Pier, is the family focal point. Free parking is available in nearby lots (summer $3–$5; winter free). Lifeguards patrol year-round. The beach is wide, backed by a commercial district offering shops, restaurants, and ice cream vendors. The Pier provides free pedestrian access with fishing ($10) and dining options. Restrooms, showers, and picnic facilities support full-day visits. Water conditions are generally calm in summer; lifeguards advise on conditions. Equipment rentals (umbrellas, chairs, surfboards) are abundant.

Best Beaches in Panama City Beach, Florida

Panama City Beach offers a blend of family-friendly fun and natural coastal beauty. The soft sand stretches for 27 miles, backed by calm Gulf waters ideal for swimming and water sports. From bustling commercial zones to protected state parks and boat-accessible island beaches, Panama City Beach delivers diverse experiences.

Best for Families

Pier Park Area, downtown Panama City Beach’s main attraction, is the center of family activity. The 1,500-foot Pier Park features shops, restaurants, fishing ($8 to fish), and free pedestrian access. Beach parking is metered ($2 per hour; $10 daily max) or available in commercial lots. Lifeguards patrol year-round. The beach is exceptionally wide, with calm waters perfect for young swimmers. Nearby playgrounds, splash pads, and amusement arcades provide entertainment. The commercial district offers restrooms, showers, ice cream vendors, and equipment rentals. The atmosphere is lively, especially during summer months.

Best Beaches in Virginia Beach, Virginia

Virginia Beach, America’s largest city by area, stretches across 35 miles of Atlantic shoreline. The boardwalk is legendary—3 miles of pedestrian-friendly walkway lined with restaurants, shops, and entertainment. From the bustling oceanfront to quiet residential beaches 20 miles south, Virginia Beach accommodates every preference. The cooler Atlantic waters and dynamic coastal ecology make it distinct from warmer Southern beach destinations.

Best for Families

Oceanfront/Boardwalk Beach is the epicenter of family activity. The 3-mile boardwalk features a historic pier (free to walk; fishing $8), amusement park rides, shops, restaurants, and live entertainment year-round. Lifeguards patrol the beach during peak season. Parking is metered ($1.75 per hour; $10 daily max) in adjacent lots. The beach is wide here and backed by the commercial district, offering easy access to facilities. Boardwalk benches, vendor carts, and public restrooms support day-long visits. The wave action is moderate, suitable for confident swimmers and bodyboarders.

Best Beaches in Waikiki, Hawaii

Waikiki is synonymous with Hawaiian beach culture. The 1.5-mile crescent beach is backed by high-rises, restaurants, and shops—the action never stops. But venture beyond Waikiki proper, and Oahu reveals diverse beaches: North Shore pipeline breaks, East Side snorkeling sites, and windward coves. Hawaii’s year-round warm water (75–80°F) and reliable sunshine make it a premier destination.

Best for Families

Waikiki Beach Central, the main section stretching from Moana Surfrider Hotel to the Zoo, is family-packed for good reason. Lifeguards patrol constantly. The water is warm, shallow, and protected by a reef system creating minimal swell. Restrooms, showers, and vendor carts line the sand. Parking is challenging; use the Waikiki Convention Center lot ($3–$5) or street parking. Rentals for surfboards, paddleboards, and beach equipment are available everywhere. The atmosphere is energetic and tourist-oriented.

Daytona Beach Beaches Guide

23 miles of coastline with hard-packed coquina sand — firm enough to drive on, wide enough to park hundreds of cars at once, and stretching from Ormond Beach in the north to Ponce Inlet in the south. Here’s a beach-by-beach breakdown.

Main Beach / Boardwalk Area

The central beach between Main Street and Seabreeze Boulevard. This is the Daytona Beach that everyone pictures — the boardwalk, the amusement rides, the Bandshell, and the most concentrated tourist area.

Destin with Kids — Family Guide

Destin is one of the most family-friendly beach destinations in Florida — calm, warm Gulf waters, white-sand beaches, and a range of activities designed specifically for families with children.

Best Family Beaches

Henderson Beach State Park — Pristine white sand, calm water, and less crowded than the public beach access points. Covered pavilions and restrooms. $6 vehicle entry.

Norriego Point — A sand spit at the east end of Destin Harbor with shallow, crystal-clear water on both sides. Great for little kids — the water stays shallow for a long way out. Accessible by boat or kayak (or a short wade from the harbor side).

Free Things to Do in Clearwater Beach

Clearwater Beach has been ranked #1 in the US multiple times — and walking on it is free. Beyond the sand, the nightly Pier 60 celebration and the Gulf Coast nature make for a full day without spending.

Beach & Pier 60 (Free)

Clearwater Beach — Sugar-white sand, calm turquoise Gulf water, and lifeguards in season. Free to access from any public walkover. The beach is wide and there’s room for everyone, even in peak season.

Free Things to Do in Destin

Destin’s main attraction — the emerald-green Gulf water and white-sand beach — is free. Beyond the beach, HarborWalk Village, nature trails, and sunset viewing round out a full day of no-cost entertainment.

Beach (Free)

Henderson Beach State Park — The most pristine beach in Destin. $6 vehicle entry (not technically free, but included here because the beach is that good). Nature trails behind the dunes, boardwalk access, and sugar-white sand.

Free Things to Do in Maui

Maui is expensive — resort prices, activity prices, restaurant prices. But the island’s greatest assets — the beaches, the drives, the sunrises, and the natural beauty — are either free or nearly so.

Free Beaches

All beaches in Hawaii are public by law. You’ll never pay to access the sand.

Ka’anapali Beach — The resort beach on the west side. Walk past the resorts and lay your towel anywhere. Free. The daily cliff-diving ceremony at Black Rock (Pu’u Keka’a) at sunset is a tradition worth watching.

Free Things to Do on Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head is known as an upscale resort island, but the beaches are free, the bike trails are extensive, and the natural beauty of the Lowcountry is available to everyone.

Beaches (Free)

All Hilton Head beaches are public. Access points are available at Coligny Beach Park, Driessen Beach Park, Folly Field Beach Park, and Islanders Beach Park.

Coligny Beach Park — The main public beach with parking, showers, restrooms, a playground, and seasonal lifeguards. Wide sand, calm water, and the most accessible beach on the island.

Maui with Kids — Family Guide

Maui is one of the best family destinations in the world. The beaches are calm enough for toddlers, the marine life is accessible to snorkelers of any age, and the island’s natural beauty makes every drive an adventure.

Best Family Beaches

Ka’anapali Beach — The resort beach on Maui’s west side. Calm water, lifeguards, and the Black Rock cliff jumping area for older kids (or brave parents). The Whaler’s Village shopping center is right on the beach for snack runs.