There’s something so relaxing and humbling about an oceanfront, which makes beach towns prime spots for people to reside in. Even in-land, lakefronts are highly sought after for their prime beach fronts, whether it be clay or sand, or a rocky shore.
9 Best Beach Towns in Connecticut
Connecticut has 96 miles (618 miles according to the NOAA) of idyllic New England shoreline, complete with small islands, lighthouses, and top East Coast beach towns. While the Nutmeg State may not be known first and foremost as a beach destination, vacationers and house hunters will be delighted to see the selection it has by …
The Best Beach Towns
From the West Coast to the East Coast and Alaska to Hawaii, there are beach towns in all corners of the United States of America. They boast a range of climates, cultures, and populations, assuring something for everyone. Classic beach towns in Hawaii, Florida, and California welcome vacationers year-round, while those in the northern states are lovely for more quiet retreats in the off-season.
With its oceanside beauty and laid-back charm, a lot of people enjoy living and vacationing by the sea. Considering more than two-thirds of the world is covered in water, there are coastal communities spread all over. Find a spot near your home country or venture to one of the many beautiful beach towns located in destinations on six of the seven continents.
List of Beaches by State
For those looking to travel within the United States, there are 23 states that border either the Atlantic or Pacific oceans. Add in 8 states with Great Lakes’ coastlines (New York touches both the Atlantic Ocean and the Great Lakes at Lake Ontario and Lake Erie), and you have an endless supply of amazing little beach towns for your holiday.
List of Beaches by Country
Countries like Mexico and the United States have ample spots for year-round warm-weather beaches. Others, such as Canada, and many parts of the U.S. are far more popular as summer escapes due to freezing winter temperatures. However, even during these cold days, there’s nothing quite like the sounds and sights of the ocean waves to relax away your worries.
Guide to Visiting the Beaches around the World
Sandy toes, sunkissed nose…ocean air, salty hair.
Beaches are amongst the popular destinations for a vacation. With a world full of oceanfront options to choose from, it may be hard to decide where to go. Rest assured, no matter what kind of beach holiday you’re looking for, whether a golf vacation, surfing the waves, marine fishing, or just relaxing by the water, there are states and countries for every occasion.
With a total of 720,790 miles of ocean coastline worldwide, one can only imagine how many beaches there are. Even though people have scoped out many of the best ones in each country, there are bound to be a few left that are undiscovered.
Canada has the most coastline out of any country, with a whopping 125,567 miles. The United States’ shores can vary in measurements, but when including territories and the Great Lakes region, there are roughly 95 471 miles of watery borders. Regarding Europe, Norway beats out the competition with 63,000 miles of shores, thanks to all its inlets and islands.
Even though most people think about oceans when discussing beaches, it’s easy to forget that lakes, rivers, and ponds create their own beaches. So, in addition to the mileage and massive amounts of salty-water shores, there are even more beaches that can provide similar atmospheres for visitors.
Oceans Around the World
Historically there have only been four oceans on Earth, but in 1999, a fifth one was added- the Southern Ocean. Since environments vary drastically, so do the beaches on these seas.
The oceans around the world include:
Arctic Ocean
With an average depth of 3,406′, the Arctic Ocean is the world’s coldest, smallest, and shallowest. Alaska’s Barrow Beach in the town of Utqiagvik, the country’s northernmost community, is an exotic place to see and “polar bear swim” in these ocean waters.
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic covers about 20% of the Earth’s surface, and it’s only the second largest. Having an average depth of 11,962′, it is home to many aquatic species and has a lot of influence on weather systems. Iceland, the UK, and Ireland are some of the most famous islands in this ocean.
Pacific Ocean
Being the world’s largest and deepest ocean, the Pacific Ocean is also home to the Mariana Trench. Some of the world’s most famous beaches, including Hawaii, the Philippines, and California, share a coast with this ocean. Australia is another famous country-island-continent with lots of Pacific Ocean access.
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean covers almost ⅕ of the Earth and has an average depth of 12,762′. It is the third-largest ocean and warmest, meaning fewer creatures call these waters their home. Middle eastern, eastern Australia and some Asian countries share coastlines with the Indian Ocean.
Southern Ocean
The fourth largest ocean in the world is the Southern Ocean, which covers the southernmost part of the globe. Antarctica, parts of New Zealand, and parts of South America have coastsides along this ocean. These waters are home to blue whales, emperor penguins, and fur seals.
Types of Beaches
When visiting a beach, most people think of the sandy kind. However, there are many other types of shores out there. Travel lovers might be surprised to discover all the unique coast types while globetrotting.
Here are some of the kinds of beaches out there:
Sandy
The most famous kind, it’s made from minerals and rocks chiseled by waves. Mexico’s Cancun and Kaunaoa Bay in Hawaii have some notable sandy beaches.
Rocky
These are beaches with piles of stones and rocks that form the barrier between water and land. Commonly found in Europe, New Zealand, and North America.
Freshwater
Not 100% salt-free, but they have amounts low enough not to be noticed. These beaches are often found in lakes and rivers.
City Beaches
These beaches are built into the culture of metro or urban areas. These are often crowded and used by locals but also often have stores and vendors. Watersports are usually discouraged at these locations.
Glass Beaches
Many beaches have glass pieces that have been sanded down over time into pebbles and stones. Most of this glass is caused by people discarding their trash, but some are caused by getting dumped in the ocean by shipwrecks.
Different Colored Sands on Beaches
White Sand
Sometimes caused by quartz particles or parrotfish, white sand is beautiful. According to Guinness records, Hyams Beach in Australia boasts the whitest sand on Earth.
Pink Sand
This is created by broken coral for its distinct color. Komodo Island in Indonesia is the most famous pink beach.
Red Sand
These beaches can be found in Hawaii, Canada, and Italy. Red sand indicates high levels of iron, with the world’s reddest being Kaihalulu Beach in HI.
Orange Sand
Also caused by high concentrations of iron in the sand, orange hue beaches are also possible. A famous one is Malta’s Ramla Bay.
Green Sand
Guam and Hawaii have the USA’s only green beaches, but it must be sunny to see the actual colors. Caused by the olivine mineral, Papakolea Beach’s and Talofofo Beach’s green hues attract many visitors.
Sparkling Sand
Beaches with sparkling sand are caused by plankton. The Maldives are known for this “bioluminescence” effect, but it happens elsewhere too.
Purple Sand
Big Sur’s Pfeiffer State Beach is well-known for the garnet-infused sands that give it that purple glow.
Black Sand
Volcanic rock and dark minerals create black sandy shores, and they can be found in a few parts of the world. Italy’s Spiaggia di Ficogrande beach and Hawaii’s Punalu’u Beach are two of the most famous.
Popular Beach Destinations
Even though beach settings can vary significantly across the Earth, the most popular ones to travel to are ones in tropical areas or warm places. Florida and California are the coastal hubs for time on the sand in the United States.
Fiji Island, Bora Bora, and the Maldives are some of the most coveted and dreamy vacation destinations. Boracay White Beach in the Philippines is on Asia’s must-see beach list, which is extensive on its own.
The Caribbean, Australia, Hawaii, Greece, and South Africa also have their fair share of salty paradises. No matter where you’re traveling, if it’s near the coast, you’ll be sure to get tips from locals on the best place to scout out.
Trendy Beach Activities
Spending time outside is great for everyone’s overall health and well-being. Fortunately, many beach activities are fun and provide opportunities for fresh air. If traveling during a peak tourist season, there’s an excellent chance that the equipment needed to do water sports can be rented near the shore.
People love to do many activities in coastal waters, including sailing, swimming, snorkeling, diving, windsurfing, wave surfing, paddleboarding, boating, fishing, and jet skiing. Beach biking, playing volleyball, sunbathing, and flying kites are favored to do from the sand.
Beach Accommodations
Beach tourism has always been popular, so it’s not a surprise that more accommodations by the ocean have popped up everywhere. Vacation rental companies like Airbnb and VRBO have grown substantially and are available in many countries.
There are also many three-, four-, and five-star resorts based right along the water. These are excellent for offering people a chance to indulge in luxury while breathing in the salty air.
Most beach towns have lots of chain and budget hotel options too. When planning a trip to one of these areas, it’s best to plan to have more of a selection, especially during high travel seasons.
