Best beach towns on the East Coast
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Best beach towns on the East Coast
Couple enjoying the beach at sunset.
Summer vacation has already begun for some across the U.S., and if Memorial Day is any indication, travelers should expect a busy summer season in 2023.
That holiday weekend, largely considered the unofficial start of summer, the Transportation Security Administration screened 9.79 million people, surpassing pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels. And half of Americans said they would take a trip this summer, according to a survey from Deloitte, up from 46% in 2022. Trips abroad are gaining popularity, as people try to make up for time lost during pandemic-era travel restrictions. However, as inflation makes travel more expensive, budget-conscious travelers are opting to cut costs by driving to their destinations and choosing to stay stateside. AAA expected 2 million more travelers on the road on Memorial Day weekend in 2023 than on that weekend in 2022.
Beach destinations are popular this year, according to a survey from vacation-rental platform Vacasa, and outdoor recreation remains a top priority. Not only are beaches a great place to unwind and create family bonding moments, but they also boost people’s mental health.
So what makes a good beach town? Access to a beach, of course, but also plenty of indoor and outdoor activities to keep kids entertained, warm weather, and a long beach season. So perhaps it’s not surprising that Florida cities dominated the list of best beach towns on the East Coast. But besides the Sunshine State, beachgoers can enjoy the sand and surf in places off the beaten path in the Carolinas and New York’s Long Island shore.
Stacker crunched the numbers to find the best beach towns on the East Coast. To be considered a beach town, each city needed at least one beach on the Environmental Protection Agency’s National List of Beaches. The EPA list includes only beaches that are used recreationally and open to the public for free or for a fee; it has more than 6,000 beaches on the United States’ Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf coasts and on the Great Lakes identified by states and tribes in response to the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act of 2000. The act requires states to report water quality monitoring to an EPA database.
Rankings were determined by a number of factors weighted by importance in the following order from most to least important: number of beaches monitored through the BEACH Act, the total shoreline of those beaches, access to beach-related businesses based on Census Bureau County Business Patterns, and Zillow median home prices.
Read on to get some inspiration for planning your next vacation.
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#50. Swansboro, North Carolina
A boardwalk hiking trail extends over the marsh .
– Number of beaches: 8
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 20.5
– Average swim season length: 214 days
– Average county summer temperature: 80 degrees
– Median home price: $558,603
Fernando Cruz // Shutterstock
#49. Carolina Beach, North Carolina
Surfer on Wrightsville Beach.
– Number of beaches: 2
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 15.7
– Average swim season length: 244 days
– Average county summer temperature: 83 degrees
– Median home price: $807,673
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#48. North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Cherry Grove Pier and beach.
– Number of beaches: 3
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 1.8
– Average swim season length: 364 days
– Average county summer temperature: 84 degrees
– Median home price: $784,190
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#47. Flagler Beach, Florida
Rocks on Flagler Beach.
– Number of beaches: 5
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 9.5
– Average swim season length: 244 days
– Average county summer temperature: 82 degrees
– Median home price: $471,503
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#46. Southport, North Carolina
Dunes on the beach at Bald Head Island.
– Number of beaches: 2
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 7.2
– Average swim season length: 244 days
– Average county summer temperature: 83 degrees
– Median home price: $457,263
Stephen B. Goodwin // Shutterstock
#45. Buxton, North Carolina
Tourists at the visitor center for the Cape Hatteras Light Station.
– Number of beaches: 5
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 3.9
– Average swim season length: 213 days
– Average county summer temperature: 82 degrees
– Median home price: $586,806
Angela N Perryman // Shutterstock
#44. Dania Beach, Florida
People enjoying the sun on Dania Beach.
– Number of beaches: 10
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 1.7
– Average swim season length: 214 days
– Average county summer temperature: 79 degrees
– Median home price: $366,193
Jose F. Donneys // Shutterstock
#43. Bay Shore, New York
Long Island gold coast aerial view.
– Number of beaches: 6
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 6.2
– Average swim season length: 214 days
– Average county summer temperature: 80 degrees
– Median home price: $710,732
Sean Pavone // Shutterstock
#42. Jupiter, Florida
Jupiter Inlet Light at dawn.
– Number of beaches: 4
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 4.8
– Average swim season length: 364 days
– Average county summer temperature: 83 degrees
– Median home price: $282,266
iofoto // Shutterstock
#41. Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
Aerial view of peninsula with beach and buildings.
– Number of beaches: 4
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 3.6
– Average swim season length: 364 days
– Average county summer temperature: 84 degrees
– Median home price: $385,570
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#40. Port Orange, Florida
Daytona Beach from Port Orange.
– Number of beaches: 4
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 15.4
– Average swim season length: 244 days
– Average county summer temperature: 82 degrees
– Median home price: $407,733
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#39. Atlantic City, New Jersey
Aerial view of Atlantic City beaches and skyline.
– Number of beaches: 6
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 2.4
– Average swim season length: 364 days
– Average county summer temperature: 82 degrees
– Median home price: $461,941
FloridaStock // Shutterstock
#38. Boca Raton, Florida
Aerial view of Boca Raton and golf course.
– Number of beaches: 10
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 31.5
– Average swim season length: 214 days
– Average county summer temperature: 79 degrees
– Median home price: $364,587
Melissa M Janssens // Shutterstock
#37. Ormond Beach, Florida
Fishing pier and sunset at Ormond Beach.
– Number of beaches: 4
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 1.6
– Average swim season length: 364 days
– Average county summer temperature: 84 degrees
– Median home price: $355,482
Sherry V Smith // Shutterstock
#36. Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina
Sign display for Big Kill Devil Hill with a granite memorial.
– Number of beaches: 5
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 32.0
– Average swim season length: 214 days
– Average county summer temperature: 79 degrees
– Median home price: $406,115
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#35. Key Biscayne, Florida
Key Biscayne aerial view.
– Number of beaches: 8
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 5.7
– Average swim season length: 244 days
– Average county summer temperature: 82 degrees
– Median home price: $589,552
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#34. North Miami Beach, Florida
North Miami Beach buildings and water.
– Number of beaches: 10
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 7.4
– Average swim season length: 136 days
– Average county summer temperature: 78 degrees
– Median home price: $275,898
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#33. Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Red and white striped lighthouse and boats in marina at sunrise.
– Number of beaches: 6
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 11.8
– Average swim season length: 214 days
– Average county summer temperature: 79 degrees
– Median home price: $322,102
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#32. Kitty Hawk, North Carolina
Sunrise at pier in Kitty Hawk.
– Number of beaches: 3
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 14.4
– Average swim season length: 244 days
– Average county summer temperature: 82 degrees
– Median home price: $738,216
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#31. Delray Beach, Florida
Aerial view of Delray Beach.
– Number of beaches: 5
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 4.0
– Average swim season length: 364 days
– Average county summer temperature: 82 degrees
– Median home price: $455,660
aceshot1 // Shutterstock
#30. Corolla, North Carolina
Wild horses graze in Corolla.
– Number of beaches: 2
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 7.0
– Average swim season length: 364 days
– Average county summer temperature: 84 degrees
– Median home price: $874,422
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#29. Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina
Aerial view of Ocean Isle Beach.
– Number of beaches: 12
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 5.9
– Average swim season length: 214 days
– Average county summer temperature: 80 degrees
– Median home price: $1,322,625
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#28. Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
Aerial view of Ponte Verde Beach.
– Number of beaches: 1
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 3.8
– Average swim season length: 244 days
– Average county summer temperature: 82 degrees
– Median home price: $261,205
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#27. Saint Augustine, Florida
Saint Augustine lighthouse and homes.
– Number of beaches: 5
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 26.4
– Average swim season length: 214 days
– Average county summer temperature: 79 degrees
– Median home price: $579,070
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#26. Saint Simons Island, Georgia
St. Simons Island lighthouse.
– Number of beaches: 4
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 25.4
– Average swim season length: 244 days
– Average county summer temperature: 82 degrees
– Median home price: $632,517
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#25. Beaufort, North Carolina
Harbour in Beaufort.
– Number of beaches: 1
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 4.0
– Average swim season length: 364 days
– Average county summer temperature: 83 degrees
– Median home price: $498,629
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#24. Kure Beach, North Carolina
Sunrise at Kure Beach.
– Number of beaches: 6
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 9.7
– Average swim season length: 208 days
– Average county summer temperature: 82 degrees
– Median home price: $603,876
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#23. Fort Pierce, Florida
Aeria view of jetty at Fort Pierce.
– Number of beaches: 5
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 11.5
– Average swim season length: 244 days
– Average county summer temperature: 82 degrees
– Median home price: $928,755
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#22. Sneads Ferry, North Carolina
Fishing boats in Sneads Ferry.
– Number of beaches: 1
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 17.9
– Average swim season length: 364 days
– Average county summer temperature: 83 degrees
– Median home price: $473,262
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#21. Ocracoke, North Carolina
Ocracoke Lighthouse in summer.
– Number of beaches: 5
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 4.9
– Average swim season length: 364 days
– Average county summer temperature: 83 degrees
– Median home price: $514,087
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#20. Fernandina Beach, Florida
Aerial view Fernandina Beach.
– Number of beaches: 3
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 19.9
– Average swim season length: 364 days
– Average county summer temperature: 83 degrees
– Median home price: $514,421
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#19. Norfolk, Virginia
Aerial view Norfolk.
– Number of beaches: 5
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 11.7
– Average swim season length: 364 days
– Average county summer temperature: 82 degrees
– Median home price: $393,761
Wildnerdpix // Shutterstock
#18. Holly Ridge, North Carolina
Egret on wetland area.
– Number of beaches: 7
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 9.3
– Average swim season length: 244 days
– Average county summer temperature: 82 degrees
– Median home price: $250,153
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#17. Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina
Sunset over Wrightsville Beach.
– Number of beaches: 7
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 19.6
– Average swim season length: 153 days
– Average county summer temperature: 79 degrees
– Median home price: $302,188
Cvandyke // Shutterstock
#16. Salvo, North Carolina
Boardwalk through sand and coastal shrubs in Salvo.
– Number of beaches: 3
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 11.3
– Average swim season length: 364 days
– Average county summer temperature: 83 degrees
– Median home price: $351,510
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#15. Tybee Island, Georgia
Sunst on the Tybee Island Lighthouse.
– Number of beaches: 7
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 37.1
– Average swim season length: 244 days
– Average county summer temperature: 82 degrees
– Median home price: $470,271
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#14. New Smyrna Beach, Florida
Ponce De Leon Inlet Lighthouse in New Smyrna Beach.
– Number of beaches: 2
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 13.9
– Average swim season length: 244 days
– Average county summer temperature: 82 degrees
– Median home price: $365,863
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#13. Miami Beach, Florida
Street view along Ocean Drive in Miami Beach.
– Number of beaches: 9
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 6.9
– Average swim season length: 364 days
– Average county summer temperature: 82 degrees
– Median home price: $369,768
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#12. Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Seafront beach promenade in Fort Lauderdale.
– Number of beaches: 10
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 17.0
– Average swim season length: 214 days
– Average county summer temperature: 79 degrees
– Median home price: $660,718
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#11. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Pier in Myrtle Beach.
– Number of beaches: 4
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 15.0
– Average swim season length: 364 days
– Average county summer temperature: 83 degrees
– Median home price: $432,034
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#10. Pompano Beach, Florida
Aerial view Pompano Beach.
– Number of beaches: 15
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 20.7
– Average swim season length: 214 days
– Average county summer temperature: 79 degrees
– Median home price: $646,313
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#9. Vero Beach, Florida
Aerial view Vero Beach homes.
– Number of beaches: 5
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 14.0
– Average swim season length: 244 days
– Average county summer temperature: 79 degrees
– Median home price: $491,863
Lewis Directed Films // Shutterstock
#8. Emerald Isle, North Carolina
An aerial view of homes and beaches on Emerald Isle.
– Number of beaches: 3
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 11.1
– Average swim season length: 364 days
– Average county summer temperature: 83 degrees
– Median home price: $400,028
Felix Mizioznikov // Shutterstock
#7. Hollywood, Florida
Hollywood coastal scene.
– Number of beaches: 14
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 13.0
– Average swim season length: 214 days
– Average county summer temperature: 79 degrees
– Median home price: $476,892
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#6. Nags Head, North Carolina
Sandy path to Coquina Beach.
– Number of beaches: 6
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 7.9
– Average swim season length: 364 days
– Average county summer temperature: 83 degrees
– Median home price: $264,681
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#5. Jensen Beach, Florida
Aerial view of populated waterfront.
– Number of beaches: 7
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 9.5
– Average swim season length: 364 days
– Average county summer temperature: 83 degrees
– Median home price: $581,150
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#4. Atlantic Beach, North Carolina
Oceanana Pier in Atlantic Beach.
– Number of beaches: 22
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 24.0
– Average swim season length: 141 days
– Average county summer temperature: 78 degrees
– Median home price: $370,003
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#3. Daytona Beach, Florida
Oceanfront buildings at Daytona Beach.
– Number of beaches: 6
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 9.3
– Average swim season length: 244 days
– Average county summer temperature: 83 degrees
– Median home price: $335,295
Sherry V Smith // Shutterstock
#2. Virginia Beach, Virginia
People walk along the oceanfront boardwalk and resort area in Virginia Beach.
– Number of beaches: 5
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 7.7
– Average swim season length: 364 days
– Average county summer temperature: 83 degrees
– Median home price: $385,022
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#1. Stuart, Florida
Aerial view of Stuart and boats in harbor.
– Number of beaches: 6
– Miles of monitored shoreline: 22.7
– Average swim season length: 244 days
– Average county summer temperature: 82 degrees
– Median home price: $268,370
Data reporting by Elena Cox. Story editing by Jeff Inglis. Copy editing by Paris Close.
