US Beach Destinations Flying Under the Radar

Image: PHOTO: Dry Tortugas National Park. (Photo by Emily Krause)

by Noreen Kompanik
Last updated: 11:00 AM ET, Sat May 10, 2025

Summer is just around the corner and beach destinations are on many travelers’ radars.

While beach vacations offer sun, sunsets, ocean views, gentle breezes, soft sand, turquoise waters and a slower pace, choosing an overcrowded beach destination can ruin the experience. After all, who wants to sit two feet from someone else’s towel?

If you love the beach?but not the crowds, why not head to one that’s more under the radar? You’ll still get stunning landscapes with lots of ocean-related opportunities, but you won’t be competing with hundreds of other vacationers for that “fun in the sun” catch-a-wave getaway.

Here are some favorites you may want to consider.

Amelia Island, Florida ?

This charming barrier island located in northeastern Florida offers 13 miles of uncrowded, pristine, soft-white sand beaches.

Once a haven for pirates, its stretches of sand and sea are great for swimming, shelling, sunbathing and even horseback riding along the shore. The island is also home to wildlife which include dolphins, sea turtles and shore birds.

NPS, Assateague island national seashore, horses, wild horses

Assateague Island, Maryland and Virginia

A unique and wild barrier island located off the coasts of both Maryland and Virginia is protected as part of the Assateague Island National Seashore and managed by the National Park Service providing visitors a quiet, undeveloped beach experience without high-rises or a boardwalk.

The island’s most famous residents are its fascinating wild horses known as Assateague or Chincoteague ponies that roam freely and can be seen grazing in salt marshes or walking along the beach.

Activities include camping on the beach, kayaking, birdwatching, fishing, crabbing, hiking and biking.

Blacks Beach, La Jolla, California

Black’s Beach is renowned for its natural beauty and challenging surf. Situated beneath the 300-foot cliffs of picturesque Torrey Pines that make for a dramatic backdrop, the beach offers two miles of shoreline. The southern section is known for its powerful waves, attracting experienced surfers and what I love most about this beach is the pods of playful dolphins that frolic in the surf line.

Note however that Black’s Beach is remote meaning that access requires hiking steep terrain to get there. A three-mile walk from La Jolla Shores beach is also an option, though its passable only at low tide. In addition, though nudity is not officially sanctioned on San Diego beaches, the beach is clothing optional, though the rule has never been enforced.

Bodega Bay, California

Set on the beautiful Sonoma Coast of California, Bodega Bay is the kind of beach town that feels like a well-kept secret —where dramatic cliffside views meet serene beaches, and where fresh seafood and small-town charm create the perfect slow-travel experience.

From the wide shoreline of Doran Beach to the windswept drama of Bodega Head and Goat Rock Beach, this destination is a haven for hikers, kayakers, and anyone looking to reconnect with nature. Add in world-class whale watching, nearby wine country adventures, and a rich Hollywood legacy—Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds was famously filmed here—and Bodega Bay becomes more than a beach trip; it’s a multi-sensory experience.

Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida

Located in the Gulf of Mexico, this remote and fascinating cluster of islands 70 miles west of Key West is best known for its tourmaline waters, coral reefs and marine life.

As one of the most unique and less-visited U.S. national parks, it’s accessible only by boat (ferry or private vessel) or seaplane. The crystal-clear waters with vibrant, healthy coral beds, sea turtles, colorful tropical fish and shipwrecks makes the islands a heaven for snorkelers and divers and its small, pristine beaches are ideal for swimming and relaxing in almost total seclusion.

Folly Beach, South Carolina

The beaches near Charleston are impressive, but Folly Beach, often called the “Edge of America” is a more laid-back remote coastal town just 10 miles south of historic Charleston and less crowded than some of its other beaches.

The 1,000-foot fishing pier offers panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the iconic Morris Island lighthouse is a popular sport for fishing, dolphin watching and sunset strolls. When our family lived in the Charleston area, we always appreciated Folly Beach’s unpretentious energy with surf shacks, beach bars and barefoot locals.

Padre Island National Seashore, Texas

The beaches on Padre Island are likely as big as a surprise to many as they were when I first visited. Located on the southern tip of Texas, the beach destination is known for its warm weather, wide stretches of sand, water sports and wildlife.

The coastal sand dunes are one of the most fascinating features of the island because they’re not only picturesque but play a crucial ecological and protective role as a natural barrier against storms, hurricanes and high tides.

Beach lovers will also love the dolphin-watching here along with the serious sea turtle rehabilitation efforts.

Beach views from King & Prince, St. Simons Island, GA

St. Simons Island, Georgia

Part of Georgia’s Golden Isles, St. Simons Island blends Southern hospitality, scenic beauty, rich history and a relaxed beach town vibe. Located just off Georgia’s southeastern coast, the island is connected to the mainland by a causeway with one massive bridge expansion.

The unspoiled beaches sport hard-packed sand — ideal for biking, walking, beachcombing, and yes, sandcastles. East Beach and Massengale Park are beloved by families and shell seekers. In addition, the island’s live oaks are famously draped with Spanish moss and the St. Simons Lighthouse is a picturesque working lighthouse with a museum and climbable tower offering stunning views from the top.

Wai’anapanapa State Park Black Sand Beach, Maui, Hawaii

Though the state park name which translates to “glistening water” is located along the sometimes busy-in-high-season Hana Highway on Maui’s eastern coast, the black sand beach here is surreal. The sand is a result of centuries of volcanic activity with lava flows meeting the ocean then breaking into fine sand particles.

While the beach is stunning and fascinating, swimming can be hazardous due to strong currents and impressive wave action. But it’s worth a visit only to witness the contrast of the black sand against the turquoise waters and lush greenery, making it a photographer’s paradise. And we’ve never seen it crowded.

Visitors can also explore freshwater sea caves via a short trail and natural blowholes that provide dramatic displays during high surf.

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