South Beach
Miami Beach, FL
Warm, clear water backed by the pastel Art Deco skyline of Ocean Drive, with lifeguard stands, beach clubs, and some of the liveliest nightlife of any beach on this list.
The Art Deco backdrop and warm water are real draws, but this is one of the busiest, most nightlife heavy beaches on the whole list.
How we score beachesLifeguard stands mark the public sections. The beach itself is free to use, even in front of the private clubs.
Dogs are prohibited on South Beach's sand outside of a narrow early-morning window at 21st Street and the separate Bark Beach area farther north.
South Florida barely has a cold season, with water rarely dropping below the mid 70s even in January. Summer brings near daily afternoon thunderstorms and the heart of hurricane season, which is why plenty of locals actually prefer visiting in the drier, milder months from December through April.
More Atlantic Coast beaches
Coast Guard Beach
Eastham, MA · Atlantic Coast
A National Seashore beach backed by grassy dunes and a tidal marsh, with clean Atlantic surf and one of the Cape's most scenic approaches on foot from the parking area.
Surfside Beach
Nantucket, MA · Atlantic Coast
Open Atlantic swell and a wide sandy shoreline about three miles from Nantucket town, popular with locals for its bodysurfing waves and quieter, less commercial feel.
Jones Beach State Park
Wantagh, NY · Atlantic Coast
A classic Long Island beach with six and a half miles of shoreline, a landmark water tower, boardwalk, and a large outdoor amphitheater that hosts concerts through the summer.