The best secret beaches in America

SmarterTravel

There's nothing better than relaxing at a beach for hours on a cloudless summer day. But the locale in question can make or break that little slice of heaven. I can't think of anything worse than a shoreline packed with thousands of sweaty, sunburned tourists, dodging dangerously close football passes and avoiding downwind barbecue smoke the entire time.

Thankfully, there are plenty of beaches around the coastal United States that pack plenty of character and remain well-kept secrets. Whether you're looking for a scenic spot with rocky sea caves, an off-road adventure to crystal blue water, or a sunny stretch with family-friendly sand bars, here are the best secret beaches in America.

Dry Tortugas National Park: Key West, Florida

If you're going to head to Florida for its beaches, do it right in the Keys. Dry Tortugas National Park is a remote coral reef island 70 miles west of Key West — about halfway between the Everglades and Havana, Cuba.

An old 19th-century fort gives this small piece of land an air of mystery, and visitors in boats and biplanes can be seen landing on the remote shore to explore its lighthouses and pristine white sand beaches on a day trip. Don't have a yacht? Hop the local ferry, and don't forget your snorkeling gear. This might be the dreamiest tropical National Park you'll ever see.

Singing Beach: Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts

New England has plenty of popular beaches lining the coast from Rhode Island through Cape Cod and into Maine, but one small town beach just north of Boston that's accessible by public transit is a favorite of locals and out-of-towners alike.

Named for its yellow sand that squeaks beneath beachgoers' feet, Singing Beach boasts warm, shallow waters that make this spot perfect for families looking to explore tide pools and safely wade past the breakers. Parking is scarce in the summer months, but visitors are far more likely to claim comfortable sandcastle space here than any of the bustling Cape Cod beaches that attract hordes every summer. Crystal-clear water and kayaking make this pristine beach a must-see if you're looking for some waterfront fun in the Boston area this summer.

Sunset Beach: Bird Island, North Carolina

For those in search of a waterfront sunset on the east coast, a town called Sunset Beach on North Carolina’s Bird Island is home to a network of wide salt water rivers where you can face west for a sunset over the scenic waterways.

Facing east, the town's nearby namesake beach is a true gem undiscovered by the hordes of tourists that pack nearby Myrtle Beach, which is just south of the state border about two miles from here. Sunset Beach is complete with a fishing pier, wading pools at low tide, beginner level surfing conditions at high tide, and protected nesting sea turtles that hatch in early fall. The entire town around this spot is called Sunset Beach, which can make it tricky to find via GPS — set out with a map and head east of the Intracoastal Waterway to West Main Street.