Travel Southeast The 30 Best Beach Vacations To Add To Your Bucket List Now By Tara Massouleh McCay Tara Massouleh McCay Tara Massouleh McCay is the Senior Travel and Culture Editor for Southern Living. A writer and editor with nearly 10 years of experience in producing lifestyle content for local, regional, and national publications, she joined the Southern Living team in 2021. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on December 13, 2023 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Pola Damonte/Getty Images "Let's go to the beach!" This might sound like a simple enough suggestion, until you consider the minutiae of your plans: Should you go local or try something new? Gulf or coastal? Remote or close to amenities? Once you start deliberating, planning a beach vacation can feel daunting, sending you straight back to the same beach you've visited year after year. To help you decide where to head next (within our beloved Southern states of course), we’ve compiled a list of 30 can’t miss beach destinations to add to your bucket list right away. From North Carolina’s serene Outer Banks to the colorful island vibes of the Florida Keys—and every place in between—there’s a Southern beach for every type of traveler. Whether you want to stroll for seashells, ride waves, or build sandcastles, there's a stretch of sand on this list that'll suit you. Now it's only a matter of packing your towel and remembering your sunscreen. 01 of 30 Miami Beach, Florida You don't have to live in Miami to play a Miami Scramble. (But if you do, this golf course is La Gorce Country Club on Miami Beach.). Scott B Smith Photography/Photolibrary/Getty Images While South Beach will always remain a hot spot, the billion-dollar renovation of the Fontainebleau hotel in 2008 drew visitors to the less-frenetic charms of Miami Beach's midtown. And they've kept on coming. Live like an influencer at the iconic Fontainebleau, located on the stretch of Miami Beach known as Millionaire's Row. Don’t forget to visit Española Way, a pedestrian-only street tucked away in South Beach that feels like a Mediterranean village with its outdoor cafés and weekend street markets. 02 of 30 Pensacola, Florida Amanda Billhartz / EyeEm / Getty Images Home to the world-renowned Blue Angels, folks travel from all over to see the gravity-defying, utterly spectacular air shows put on by the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squad. When you don’t have your face turned toward the sky, you’ll have just as much to look at between the sugar-white sands and turquoise waters. More About Pensacola 03 of 30 Daufuskie Island, South Carolina Freeport Marina. PETER FRANK EDWARDS This secluded island located just across the sound from popular Hilton Head has been hiding in plain sight for years. For a completely unplugged vacation, book a ferry ride over, find a rental house, and remember to bring mostly everything you’ll need. The trade for such a pure and serene locale is that there aren’t any grocery stores or gas stations on the island. Instead, you’ll find miles of unspoiled beaches and tucked away gems like a distilling company in the woods and a former schoolhouse turned coffee shop and indigo-dying studio. more about daufuskie island 04 of 30 Hilton Head, South Carolina Photograph Panoramic Images/Getty Images There’s a reason Hilton Head gets voted as our readers’ favorite beach town year after year. The town of 40,000 has all the makings of an ideal vacation destination and is super popular among multigenerational families. You won’t need more than two wheels (at most a goif cart) to get around the island; the dining options are seemingly endless; and the beaches are long enough and wide enough for many a game of two-hand-touch football. more about hilton head 05 of 30 Duck, North Carolina Sanderling Resort The Outer Banks town of Duck is relatively new on the block. It was incorporated in 2002, and fewer than 1,000 folks call it home. But don’t let its size keep you away. In fact, it’s seclusion (it’s surrounded on both sides by water via the Atlantic Ocean and the Currituck Sound) is part of what makes it so special. Stroll the Waterfront Shops to get acquainted with the tight-knit small business community, then head to the beach for a day of fun in the sun. Once night falls, keep your eyes peeled for illusive ghost crabs. More about duck 06 of 30 Grayton Beach, Florida Photographer Matt Brown Some things never change, and in Grayton Beach, they’re counting on exactly that. The old-school coastal village’s unofficial slogan is “Nice dogs, strange people,” and you’ll find that salt-of-the-earth sentimentality everywhere you turn. No place personifies this quirky little beach town better than The Red Bar, a bohemian hangout swathed in scarlet lights that’s known for its crab cakes and in-house jazz band. more about grayton beach 07 of 30 Amelia Island, Florida Omni Hotels & Resorts This 13-mile barrier island changed hands eight times over the past 450-plus years. Dubbed the Isle of Eight Flags, Amelia Island’s beautiful beaches, winding waterways, and dense maritime forests are first-rate examples of why this land has always been so desirable. Today, visitors congregate around Fernandina Beach for its historic downtown filled with local galleries, delicious restaurants, and a place called The Palace Saloon that claims to be Florida’s oldest bar. 08 of 30 Islamorada, Florida Beach view of Islamorada one of the top 9 things to do in Islamorada, Florida. Getty: Corey Jenkins/Getty Images The reputation of the Florida Keys precedes it, but if you want to know where to start with this magical beach locale, we recommend Islamorada. The destination encompasses six islands strung together between Key Largo and Key West, and a whole lot of adventure from excellent sportfishing to kayaking emerald waters. Be sure to visit colorful Rain Barrel Village for local art, lush gardens, and a tropical oasis complete with cold cocktails. more about islamorada 09 of 30 Nags Head, North Carolina Photographer Sylvain Sonnet/Getty Images When you think about a quintessential Outer Banks town, Nags Head might be first to come to mind. There’s everything you’d expect from a classic beach destination: beautiful sandy shores, excellent waves, go-kart tracks, ice cream shops, and mini golf. But there are also area-specific attractions like the Bodie Island Lighthouse and Jockey’s Ridge State Park (home to the Atlantic Coasts’s tallest living sand dune system) to check out, too. 10 of 30 Rosemary Beach, Florida Courtesy The Pearl Florida’s 30A is known for its many upscale beach communities. Alys has its striking, white-washed architecture, and Seaside is known for its friendly town square. But Rosemary Beach will transport you someplace else entirely. Its live oak-lined streets are reminiscent of Charleston or Savannah, while downtown’s black-and-white stripped awnings and cobblestone streets suggest you could be in a storied European city. The crowned jewel of the town may be the 55-room boutique hotel The Pearl (no pun intended). more about rosemary beach 11 of 30 Sanibel Island, Florida Known as America’s shelling capital, you never know what treasures await just beneath the surface in Sanibel. If you go beyond the town’s first layer of beautiful beaches, you’ll also find lush wilderness populated by diverse fauna, restaurants owned by local fishermen and James Beard-nominated chefs, and chic retails shops. more about sanibel island 12 of 30 Orange Beach/Gulf Shores, Alabama Courtesy of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism Alabama’s beaches oft get overshadowed by the Florida panhandle, but these sister cities demand attention of their own. With 32 miles of sugary white sand, a plethora of lodging options, and a surprisingly accomplished dining scene, there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to Alabama beaches. The completion of Gulf State Park’s many recreation areas, trails, and new lodge and cottages have only upped the ante for longtime visitors and newcomers. more about orange beach and gulf shores 13 of 30 Anna Maria Island, Florida Photo: Peter Unger It’s only fitting that this 7-mile-long barrier island is shaped like a seahorse. It only gets more whimsical from there. The island is devoid of high rises and fast-food restaurants. Instead, you’ll find brightly painted homes, charming local shops, and more picturesque scenes along Pine Avenue. Sandy paths to the beach are hidden around every corner, which means your slice of palm-shaded paradise is closer than you think. more about anna maria island 14 of 30 Cape Charles, Virginia About an hour north of more well-known Virginia Beach lies Cape Charles, a picturesque town on the southern end of Virginia’s Eastern Shore. With its many family-owned businesses. (like Brown Dog Ice Cream, Cape Charles Brewing Company, and Peach Street Books) and Mayberry sensibilities, locals know they’re privy to something special. The calm waters of the Chesapeake Bay make Cape Charles’s beaches especially great for little ones and adventurers looking to paddle board or kayak the open water. more about cape charles 15 of 30 Jekyll Island, Georgia MargaretW/Getty Images Part of Georgia’s Golden Isles, Jekyll Island is a tale of two vacations destinations. The entire island is designated as a state park, so wild vistas and unspoiled nature are everywhere you turn. On the other hand, you’ll find refined luxury via the Jekyll Island Club Resort, which makes this complicated little island a certifiable resort town. Regardless of which side of Jekyll you prefer, everyone can agree on the enduring beauty of the Atlantic Ocean and the Jekyll Sound. more about jekyll island 16 of 30 Key West, Florida Photo: Graciela Cattarossi If you want to live on island time, head to Florida’s southernmost point: Key West. A dead ringer for the Caribbean, enjoy bright sunny days, sandy shores, and water so blue you’ll think it was fake. A couple things to do if you go: Try Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe’s frozen and chocolate-dipped key lime pie on a stick and watch the sunset with new friends at Mallory Square. more about key west 17 of 30 Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina Photo: Logan Mock-Bunting/Getty The tidy coastal town of Wrightsville Beach is the kind of laid back beach community everyone loves to love. Home to the country’s second oldest yacht club, folks flock here for watersports like kayaking, paddle boarding, and surfing. It’s easy to walk straight off the beach and up to a collection of local eateries and shops, where sandy toes are welcome and T-shirts are more than acceptable attire. 18 of 30 Tybee Island, Georgia Bruce Yuanyue Bi/Getty Images/Lonely Planet Images Often referred to as Savannah’s Beach, Tybee Island is located just 30 minutes east of the beloved Southern city. The barrier island is filled with coastal charm, from cozy beach cottages to seafood shacks to an iconic striped lighthouse that visitors are welcome to climb to the top of. more about tybee island 19 of 30 Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Florida Courtesy of Discover Lauderdale-By-The-Sea. Between Miami, Palm Beach, and Fort Lauderdale, South Florida has no shortage of lively waterfront cities. But if you’re looking for a slower pace, the idyllic seaside town of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea is your ticket. With low-rise condos and hotels done up in the mid-century modern style, a lively plaza offering free dance classes, and restaurants serving a diverse array of cuisines, there’s always something to do in this quaint beach town. Pro tip: Underwater enthusiasts can snorkel a reef that’s just 100 yards offshore. more about lauderdale-by-the-sea 20 of 30 Ocean Springs, Mississippi Alex North Photography The artsy waterfront town of Ocean Springs is making the case for Mississippi as a beach destination. If you go, be sure to visit the Walter Anderson Museum of Art, where you can see the famed artist’s interpretation of the native landscapes and animals of his beloved hometown. After you’ve perused the boutiques and shops downtown, take a quick walk to Front Beach, then make dinner reservations at Vestige. 21 of 30 Edisto Beach, South Carolina Cavan Images / Getty Images The Lowcountry is alive and well in Edisto Beach, one of South Carolina’s largest barrier islands. This largely undeveloped swath of land is a great place to comb the sand for shark teeth and shells, while keeping a lookout for dolphins and pelicans. Beach houses are the way to stay in Edisto; book one big enough to sleep the entire family and make memories to last a lifetime. 22 of 30 New Smyrna Beach, Florida Robbie Caponetto Florida’s State Road A1A is crawling with lively beach towns, and one of its best is New Smyrna Beach. As a major destination for surfers, the town’s got an undeniable local flavor that’s apparent everywhere you look. Head to Flagler Avenue to find local shops, colorful galleries, and if you’re lucky a festival celebrating music, art, seafood—you name it. more about new smyrna 23 of 30 Port Aransas, Texas Cedric Angeles We couldn’t leave the Lone Star State off our list of bucket-list beach destinations, and there’s no place better or more spirited than Port Aransas. The longtime sleepy fishing village has been a favorite spot for Texas families for generations, but only recently has it started drawing in a new crowd. Excellent deep-sea fishing and the allure of new luxury vacation community called Cinnamon Shore are just two reasons to consider this Texas coastal town. more about port aransas 24 of 30 Dunedin, Florida Honeymoon Island State Park is known for its white-sand beaches, nature trails, and wildlife. Robbie Caponetto The cat’s out of the bag about this sunny little beach town located just 24 miles from Tampa. Here you’ll find state-protected shores, independently owned shops, and some of the best barbecue in the state by way of Eli’s Bar B Que. Nearby Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island State Park (accessible by bridge and boat, respectively) offer the feel of being miles away from civilization while still being close enough to grab dinner out in Dunedin. more about dunedin 25 of 30 Bay St. Louis, Mississippi After being walloped by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, this waterfront town has been hard at work rebuilding and is now back and better than ever. The “ocean” here is actually the Mississippi Sound, an embayment of the Gulf of Mexico, but that doesn’t mean the sand, sun, and surf is any less glorious. With fewer crowds than other coastal destinations, you can snag a room at the Pearl Hotel or the Bay Town Inn and spend your days without a worry in the world. more about bay st. louis 26 of 30 Clearwater Beach, Florida John Coletti/Getty Images With an average of 361 days of sunshine per year, this beach town on Florida’s west coast more than lives up to its name. The sun glistening off the deep blue-green water is so mesmerizing that it’s hard to turn your attention anywhere else. When you do, the towns collection of seafood spots, beach bars, and resorts are equally impressive and offer everything you need for the perfect vacation. more about clearwater beach 27 of 30 Ocean City, Maryland Getty Images Boardwalks and beaches go together like peanuts and Coke. Ocean City has both in spades. Spend an afternoon strolling the boardwalk, where you’ll find every type of pleasure from carnival rides to hot French fries. If you’re looking for a nature-filled adventure, take a trip to nearby Assateague Island to see wild horses galloping on the sandy shores. It’s an experience you’ll not soon forget. 28 of 30 St. Augustine, Florida Arthur Taylor / Getty Images Voted as our reader’s favorite small town in 2023, St. Augustine has so much to offer by way of beautiful Gilded Age and Spanish architecture, excellent bars and restaurants, and Old Florida charm, that it’s easy to forget it’s also a beach town. Surrounded on three sides by water (two rivers plus the Atlantic Ocean), boating, sailing, and yachting are all popular activities here. To learn more about St. Augustine’s wild side, a trip with St. Augustine Eco Tours is a must. more about st. augustine 29 of 30 St. Simons Island, Georgia Peter Frank Edwards Another of the Peach State’s Golden Isles, St. Simons Island has been regarded as one of the most romantic places in the South. Moss-draped live oak trees, pristine beaches, and a cheery collection of local shops set the scene for a picturesque stay. Hole up in a cozy cottage at The Park micro-resort for the ultimate relaxing vacation. more about st. simons island 30 of 30 Rehoboth Beach, Delaware Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Rob Pongsajapan/Flickr/CC BY 2.0 If your idea of a bucket-list trip includes your furry friend digging holes in the sand and splashing around in the surf, then add Rehoboth Beach to the top of your list. Stay at the Canalside Inn, where pups are not only welcome but encouraged to come along. Rehoboth is more than just a dog-friendly beach town, it’s also steeped in history, which you can learn about on a walking tour with the Rehoboth Beach Historical Society. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit