Can’t wait for some much-needed summertime sun on sandy shores? Well, you’re not the only one. Beaches become quickly crammed by enthusiastic crowds, and they become noisy and busy. The next time you decide to venture out to the coast, consider one of these less-frequented, quieter beaches that leave room for a more relaxing getaway.
Wildcat Beach — California
Hug Point — Oregon
It’s not such a shame that Oregon’s Hug Point, just 5 miles south of well-known Cannon Beach in the northern part of the state, experiences far less traffic than some of the other beaches on the Pacific Coast. Perched beside a mesmerizing waterfall, the beach cove of Hug Point is framed by deep green ferns, sitka spruces, and salal plants, which are often dotted with dark berries that subtly add to the natural color story of this oceanside oasis. This quiet beauty has few beachgoers.
Roque Bluffs Beach — Maine
The strip of land in northeastern Maine known as Roque Bluffs State Park is home to both freshwater and saltwater shorelines. On the saltwater side, running parallel to Simpson Pond, Roque Bluffs Beach beckons to the crowd-weary beach enthusiast. Often known to be blanketed in a gentle fog, Roque Bluffs Beach is an attractive destination for those who want to take in muted moments while escaping the noise of comparatively crammed beaches elsewhere.
Edisto Beach State Park — South Carolina
There won’t be much competition for space on the shoreline of Edisto Beach, a town on Edisto Island, South Carolina, with a population of just over 400 people. Offering more than 1,250 acres of land, Edisto Beach State Park adds even more space to enjoy the views of several rivers that converge with the Atlantic at the island’s southernmost point. Abundant fishing and safe waters for swimming lend to the family-friendliness of this under-the-radar beach area.
Ruby Beach — Washington
Way up north, on the peninsula of Olympic National Park in Washington, Ruby Beach offers a placid refuge for wildlife and beachgoers. Decorated by driftwood, large rock formations (known as stacks), and the rouge-colored rocks that gave this strand its name, Ruby Beach delights every foot that steps on it. Parents and kids especially adore peeking in the tide pools teeming with life, found in and around the scattered stacks.
Driftwood Beach — Georgia
Left behind by many years of erosion, the backdrop of tree skeletons found at Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island in Georgia is surreal. Visitors to this seaside wonderland are often too absorbed in snapping shots of the distinct coastline to make any noise. Little ones make a playground out of the trees, and adults love to stroll through the natural sand-covered maze as tranquil beach days turn into evenings with breathtaking sunsets.
Mokuleia Beach Park — Hawaii
Though Oahu is the most populous of all of the Hawaiian islands, Mokuleia Beach Park on the North Shore, almost an hour’s drive away from tourist-centric Waikiki Beach, attracts significantly fewer people and retains a surprising mellowness. The shallow reef at Mokuleia Beach makes it an ideal place for snorkeling and spearfishing, as well as kite- or windsurfing.
Giant turtles are also known to creep ashore, enjoying the laid-back atmosphere that Hawaii is known for.
