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The Best Beaches You Have Never Heard Of Americas Hidden Coastal Gems

The Best Beaches You Have Never Heard Of Americas Hidden Coastal Gems

For most people who contemplate visiting a beach, associative images are clear – Miami Beach.

20-Aug-2024
For most people who contemplate visiting a beach, associative images are clear – Miami Beach.

For most people who contemplate visiting a beach, associative images are clear – Miami Beach.

The Best Beaches You Have Never Heard Of: America’s Hidden Coastal Gems 

For most people who contemplate visiting a beach, associative images are clear – Miami Beach with its lights and concrete pavements, or Malibu where a celebrity might be seen. Still, imagine if you heard that some lovely coastlines in the United States of America are hardly popular, or might be unfamiliar to you? These little-known coastal wonders are great for a lovely family outing and you can build sandcastles, swim, and even tone your body muscles without the company of many other people. Our goal is to make a trip to some of these incredible locations!

1. Jekyll Island, Georgia: A Traditional Trip in Which the Shore is Packed With Lots of Historical and Natural Beauty.

Jekyll Island can be easily described as among the many secrets of Georgia. It is a small island that is located in the group of the famous Georgia Isles of the coastal state of Georgia: You will find sandy beaches, historical landmarks, and a natural to marvel at here.

What Makes It Special?

Picture yourself striding barefoot on a beach where the sand is like a warm bed sheet. That is exactly the situation one can expect on Jekyll Island. It borders the Atlantic Ocean on one side, and the quiet and serene Jekyll River on the other, and is an ideal place for swimming, fishing, or even a kayaking expedition.

Yet not only does Jekyll Island offer beautiful sandy shorelines of the beach- though that is more than enough; The island offers a visit to the famous Driftwood Beach that seems to be taken from a fairy tale. Here the shore is covered with big drifts, which the sea has created over the years along the beach. Such stunning twisted and weathered trees you can climb and are also good for taking photos with the whole family.

Fun Fact: Should Therefore be Renamed The Millionaire’s Village

It was a secret and private holiday destination to some of the most affluent families in America until the mid-nineteenth century. Still, in the late 1800s, the summer season attracted people like the Rockefellers and the Vanderbilt’s. But you can still see the Jekyll Island Club, the private hotel that used to be the focal point of island society. Strolling around the village the atmosphere is entirely different as if time is frozen and has stalled progress.

What Can You Do?

Bike Riding: There are more than 20 miles of biking routes that let you ride through the woods, by old houses, and along the coast. Last but not least, it is a very effective way to discover the island on your own.

Wildlife Watching: Do not leave the island without your binoculars or a good camera to capture the wildlife. There are opportunities to view sea turtles, dolphins, and numerous varieties of birds during a trip. There is also the Georgia Sea Turtle Center that will entertain and educate you on turtle species and their protection.

Kayaking: For those more extreme ones, there is always an available to rent a kayak and explore islands’ marshes and rivers. It is one of the quiet means of exploring the island uniquely.

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2. Ruby Beach, Washington: A Beach That Looks Like it Came out of a Fairy Tale

Ruby Beach is located in Washington and belongs to the Olympic National Park; it is one of those beaches that seem to be taken out of the fairy tale. If you enjoy natural landscapes, would prefer exploring over relaxing, and don’t mind a little bit of a treasure hunt for a beach, then this one is all for you.

One thing you are bound to notice as soon as you set foot at the shore of Ruby Beach is the red sand, that gives the beach its name. But that is only a starting point. Just off the coast, you’ll find enormous sea stacks — large rocks that rise from the water’s surface as if to protect the beach. The latter can be approached on foot during low tide since it consists of sea stacks that one can get very close to. These small ponds contain any type of sea life, including starfish, crabs, and small fish.

A Place of Wonder

Of all the places to go in Washington, walking along Ruby Beach crossed right over into another world. The climate and atmosphere on the beach are quite foggy mostly towards the morning, and it has a kind of mystery to it. There are large and small pieces of driftwood along the shore up to the size of trees in some cases, hence the best structures for climbing, sitting or even constructing your own driftwood house.

Fun Fact: In this Paper, the Account of the Pacific Ocean’s Power will be Given.

Ruby Beach lies in the Pacific Ocean, therefore the shore sometimes gets hit by great waves and the water is freezing. It is not a coastline to swim at but it is ideal for walking and admiring the wonderful scenery of the cliffs.

What Can You Do?

Tide Pool Exploration: This is mostly true when during the evening at low tide, the water recedes to form pools of water that house the following sea creatures. Most of these creeks are very shallow and one can spend hours using just a bucket and a magnifying glass trying to sample the tiny pools of water.

Beachcombing: Inside the beach are countless incredible rocks, shells, and pieces of driftwood. You never know what you might come across!!

Photography: For lovers of photography the playground at Ruby Beach can never leave you without something interesting to explore and to photograph. There is no part of the coast, from what looms out of the sea to the distant line of haze, that can be considered unphotogenic.

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3. Assateague Island, Maryland/Virginia: Within the Empty Quarter.

Assateague Island is a stretch of barrier island of a distance of 37 miles and is located at the border of Maryland and Virginia. It is a nature lovers’ delight and is well-known for wild horses which graze and canter on the shores as well as the swampy ground.

What Makes It Special?

As if you are on the shore laughing and having fun, drums suddenly sound and there appear wild horses. That is not far from a normal day at Assateague Island! The wild ponies of the island are often referred to as Chincoteague ponies; they are the result of domesticated horses having been taken to the island several centuries ago. Today they exist on the island in large herds and are looked after by the National Park Service.

A Natural Wonderland

Nevertheless, Assateague Island is not only about the horses, of course. The island has also beautiful sand beaches, marshes, and forests. It is a playground where one can go camping, hiking, and bird-watching all in one day.

Fun Fact: The Pony Swim

The Chincoteague ponies are wild and each year, they make a crossing through the channel from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island in what is termed as the Pony Swim. This event has been taking place for nearly a century; thousands of people go to the event to see the ponies make the swim.

What Can You Do?

Wildlife Viewing: Apart from the wild ponies, other animals that can be found on the island are deer, foxes, and over 300 kinds of birds that are found in the island. Bring a pair of binoculars with you to identify how many species of animals you can find.

Camping: Pitch a tent at one of the campsites that are found on the island. When the night has spent the breathing of the sea and you wake up to see wild horses grazing in the vicinity – that is an experience.

Beach Activities: Beaches: the island provides one of the most beautiful sandy beaches where it is safe to swim, take suntan, or perhaps create sandcastles. The coast area is good for wading and playing around in the shallow waters which are close to the shore.

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4. Cumberland Island, Georgia: The Experience Here is The Kind That Offers Seclusion Utilized for Different Purposes For Several Years.

Cumberland Island is the largest of Georgia’s barrier islands and certainly one of the most isolated. It is a haven where one can escape the world and be one with nature and history at the same time.

What Makes It Special?

This unique island full of activities caters to tourists who seek to explore the natural beauty of the ecosystem with 17 miles of deserted beach, a fascinating forest of live oaks, and a multitude of bird and marine animal nesting and breeding grounds at the coastal marshes. There are wild horses on the island, following the model of Assateague Island and it is possible to meet such animals while wandering through the island.

Time Waits For No-One

The island in question has a rather lengthy background that may be traced back to several thousands of years ago. Thus, it is possible to mark out that the cultural imprint on Cumberland Island is one of the most intricate ones and it has been established by the indigenous population, Spanish missionaries, British settlers, as well as the members of the Carnegie family. Visitors could go to the ruins of the Dungeness, the mansion that belonged to the Carnegie family in the late nineteenth century, and try to picture how life on the island might look in one hundred years ago.

Fun Fact: Petroleum and the Untouched Wilderness

Cumberland Island is not very urbanized and so the island looks almost like it has in the past several centuries. It does not have any network of tarmac roads and can only be accessed by walking running or cycling. This makes the island what may be best described as being a truly wild experience.

What Can You Do?

Hiking: There are more than 50 miles of various trails on the island, and this includes easy-going trails and steep ones. To reach the ruins of the Dungeness mansion, one of the more visited routes is available and another goes through the island’s maritime forest to the beach.

Wildlife Watching: Finally, the fauna of Cumberland Island includes armadillos, turkeys, and many birds and, of course, wild horses. The island is so isolated that animals are in plenty of the island and normally getting close to them is very easy.

Beachcombing: Its beaches, consequently, are some of the best preserved on the US mainland. It is possible to sit or wander for hours collecting shells and playing with the water without getting bored.

5. Carova Beach, North Carolina: A Thrilling Experience Of The Few Wild And Baron Seaside Regions.

Carova Beach is one of the furthest beaches of the Outer Banks of North Carolina. This is one of the few places where wild horses are more numerous than people and, to get there, you have to drive on the sand!

What Makes It Special?

The beach found in Carova is unique to any other beach you will ever visit. In the desert, there are no bitumen-surfaced roads, no eating places, and no accommodation facilities. It is only accessible by a four-wheel drive because the paths to the beach are dunes. When you get here there are hours of beach, pristine sandy beaches with nothing more than the sight and sound of the sea and winds blowing & signing through the marram dunes.

A Hidden Paradise

Carova Beach is located within the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge; thus, the area is as natural as it gets. The beach is large and very flat and can be travelled over by car but there are wild horses on the island.

Fun Fact: The wild colonial Spanish Mustang

Wild horses of Carova Beach are considered to originate from the Spanish mustangs that were introduced into the Outer Bank by explorers. These horses have adjusted to the unfavorable climates of the barrier islands and are now a representation of the coastal wildlife on the outer banks.

What Can You Do?

Wild Horse Tours: Several companies provide guided tours into the Carova Beach backcountry to provide a view of the wild horses up and close. It is a rather entertaining journey, which should be of interest to those who like to have family entertainment.

Beach Driving: If you have a 4×4 vehicle, then you will find that getting to the beach is half the fun. It’s pretty much an open game as long as you stick to the guidelines for pedestrians and bear in mind the existence of horses!

Fishing: Carova Beach is considered by many as the perfect place for surf fishing since the sea of this area is suitable. Try your luck in the waters and reel in a flounder, bluefish, or even a red drum fish.

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6. Sand Bridge Beach, Virginia: There Were Still and Golden Hours When We Moved Out of the Big City

Sand Bridge Beach is essentially a virgin beach just a few miles drive away from the busy Virginia Beach. The quieter area to where one can go and make day trips into the ocean and enjoy the Atlantic coasts.

What Makes It Special?

That is why it is very important to visit such places as Sand Bridge Beach when you want to leave behind all city noise and chaos. The beach stretches for some distance and width with powdery sand and the sea has relatively low waves that would allow activities such as swimming, boogie boarding, and sandcastle building. Just outside, you will find dunes and sea oats for the naturalists and wildlife for the conservationists.

 

A Beach with Small-Town Personality

Probably one of the biggest assets of Sand Bridge Beach is that it still retains the air of an actual town. There are not many commercial businesses and most of the businesses present are small businesses such as local groceries and eating joints. This makes the beach a relaxed and friendly environment, something that makes it ideal to be hosting families.

Fun Fact: You can see the beach listed as one of the top things to do in Long Island on Trip Advisor – The Atlantic Ocean’s Playground.

There are several sightings of marine life around the waters of Sand Bridge Beach. It is not unusual when you are boarding to see dolphins feeding on fish near the shoreline or possibly a turtle swimming along nearby. Bird watching is also favored at the beach; particularly when it is the season of autumn bird migration.

What Can You Do?

Surfing: Some of the best waves for surfing are found in Sand Bridge Beach Virginia and therefore attract many surfers. For the novice who has never ridden a wave in his life, there is always a wave here that will help him stand up and surf competently.”

Beachcombing: It is always possible to discover shells sea glass and even other remains that might have been washed ashore. They have included, Take a bucket and let us see what we can dig out!

Sunset Watching: The sunsets are another spectacular gift that one gets to witness when at Sand Bridge Beach. When the sun is setting down, the whole sky turns to shades of pink, orange, and purple, the ending is perfect.

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7. Gulf Shores, Alabama: An All-In-One Destination: The Best of Southern Hospitality Coupled with Endless Sand and Blue Sky

Gulf Shores is a best-kept secret along the Gulf of Mexico in the state of Alabama. Being equipped with white sand, a warm sea, and friendly for families, it becomes one of the perfect places to bring your relaxed atmosphere and enjoy the usual beach life.

What Makes It Special?

Gulf Shores is a named-for-its-white-sand-beaches city where you will feel that your feet are walking on sugar. The water is both warm and clear thus suitable for swimming, snorkeling, and other water-related activities. The water here is not too violent, again suitable for little children, while the expansive, flat sandy beach is great for Frisbee, kites, or for that perfect tan.

Welcome to the South By the Sea

 

The atmosphere of Gulf Shores calls for a Southern comfort; laidback and with all the friendliness that the South is famous for. Many lovely shops, seafood restaurants, and entertaining places are located in the town, which makes it a perfect town for families. From creating incredible sand castles on the beach to hiking in natural parks, and to delighting your taste with seafood, one will find something for everyone in Gulf Shores.

Fun Fact: The Dolphin Cruise remains a fun and safe boat ride for everyone, especially for the kids for them to enjoy the beauty of nature.

Among a variety of activities to do in Gulf Shores, the most interesting one is, undoubtedly, a dolphin cruise. They are boat cruises, which give the guests a thrilling experience of watching dolphins in the natural environment…by the Gulf of Mexico. It is something that can be taken by kids as well as adults, the time everyone will enjoy.

What Can You Do?

Swimming and Snorkeling: Gulf Shores has crystal clear waters and thus swimming and snorkeling in the area is a great experience. Pick up a mask and fins and dive and have a look at what the ocean has to offer a few yards out into the water.

Fishing: The city of Gulf Shores' fishing is amazing, you could fish right on the beach or even go on deep-sea fishing. There are fish in the waters such as red snapper fish, groupers, and the king mackerel fish.

Exploring Nature: The nearby Gulf State Park, just a short drive from the beach provides 28 miles of park area for explorations including; hiking, biking, and wildlife observation. It is also possible to rent a kayak and travel across the park’s lakes and marshes, and.

Why Visit These Holes in the Wall?

Indeed it is good to visit Miami Beach or Malibu, but the beauty of the below-listed small coastal towns is equally irresistible. It is an opportunity to free oneself from the bustle of work, meet nature, and do not pay attention to whether it is Monday or Tuesday, it’s just a wonderful day at the seaside. The experiences that the visitors get to enjoy include taking a swim in rock pools, observing the wild horses, or even constructing their sand castles on an isolated part of the beach, and all these will give them an experience in their lifetime.

So the next time you are deciding on the next beach destination for your vacation, consider one of the above unknown shorelines. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for a couple of hours or a couple of days, you could well stumble on your beach of choice, the one you wish you could visit so often.

Tips for Planning Your Trip: Tips for Planning Your Trip:

 

Research Before You Go: Some of those beaches such as Cumberland Island and Carova Beach may need visitors to plan to access them. Some of the things that might be very vital to knowledge include a schedule of ferries, permits and when is the best time to visit.

Pack the Essentials: These are secluded beaches and as such, you’ll have to carry all you need for the day with you. The list includes sunscreen, water, snacks, and anything that would be required while engaging in beach-related activities.

Respect the Wildlife: On some of the beaches, you get to see and interact with wild animals including horses, dolphins, and sea turtles. You should practice the use of binoculars should never get close to the wild animals and do not feed the animals.

Leave No Trace: Some pointers that can be used to ensure that these beaches are not harmed include, ensuring you pack all your litter and do not litter. Do bear in mind, the only dent you are supposed to make is leaving your footprints behind!

If you have these tips in mind, then you are good to go and explore the secrets that lie in America’s coasts. Happy beachcombing!

This expanded version has descriptions of some of the featured attractions and sites, more fun facts, and even tips enhancing the guide so that the reader gets to see some of the most beautiful and sometimes ignored beaches in America. The content must be interesting, with simple language so that learners at the lower level of reading can easily comprehend the content.

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