United States · North America
Charleston isn't technically a beach town — it's a historic port city that happens to have three barrier islands with excellent beaches within a 20-minute drive, which might be the best of both worlds. Folly Beach is the scrappy surfer spot with a pier and cheap tacos. Sullivan's Island is the quieter, more residential option with wide sand and views of Fort Sumter. Isle of Palms has the resort vibe and the Wild Dunes golf courses. Back in the city, the food scene is nationally ranked — shrimp and grits at a white-tablecloth Lowcountry restaurant, or the same dish at a $9 brunch spot, both excellent. Rainbow Row, the historic pastel houses on East Bay Street, is genuinely beautiful, not just a photo op. The city manages to feel both historic and alive, which is harder than it sounds.
Molokai and Lanai share fewer than 100,000 visitors a year between them. Three-mile-long Papohaku Beach sits empty most days, spinner dolphins play in Hulopoe Bay by morning, and the logistics alone keep the crowds away.
Read more about this
Green means safe, red means dangerous, purple means marine life -- but most beachgoers can't identify all the flag colors. Here's the full system, country-specific variations, and what to do when there are no flags at all.
Read more about this
Sayulita is a colorful surf village on Mexico's Riviera Nayarit with a beginner-friendly point break, $2 fish tacos, and a bohemian energy that hasn't been polished away by development. Forty-five minutes from Puerto Vallarta, it runs on its own clock.
Read more about this
From San Diego's free beach wheelchair program to Barcelona's assisted bathing service, here's a practical guide to beach accessibility for wheelchair users -- what works, what doesn't, and how to plan ahead.
Read more about thisCharleston's barrier island beaches blend wide Atlantic sand with Lowcountry character -- salt marshes, Spanish moss, and dolphins in the creeks. Folly Beach brings the surf, Sullivan's Island keeps it quiet, and downtown delivers some of the best food in the South.
Read more about this
Beyond Cancun's crowded pool parties, spring break travelers can find better beaches, richer culture, and lower costs across the Caribbean, Mexico, and beyond. This guide covers 9 alternatives with specific pricing for flights, accommodation, and nightlife.
Read more about this