These 10 uncrowded Atlantic beaches are perfect for summer

  • Playalinda Beach, Florida
  • Long Beach Island, New Jersey
  • Seabrook Island, South Carolina
  • Block Island Beach, Rhode Island
  • Topsail Island, North Carolina
  • Sandbridge Beach, Virginia
  • Goose Rocks Beach, Maine
  • Bethany Beach, Delaware
  • Nauset Light Beach in Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts
  • Emerald Isle, North Carolina
  • Playalinda Beach, Florida

    Playalinda Beach, Florida

    Florida's beaches have a well-deserved reputation for being some of the most beautiful in the world, and that means they can get mighty crowded when summer vacation begins. Playalinda, or Pretty Beach, is located on the Canaveral National Seashore just outside of Titusville. Besides being one of Florida's quieter Atlantic coast beaches, it's also one of the state's few nude beaches.

    Photo courtesy of iStock / DimitrisTimpilis

  • Long Beach Island, New Jersey

    Long Beach Island, New Jersey

    The 18-mile Long Beach Island, or LBI, is lined with white sand, so you're almost guaranteed to find a secluded spot to relax. You'll find lifeguards on duty all along the island for families who want to swim or boogie board in the waves, and since the island is only a half-mile wide at its widest point, you can easily get around by bicycle.

    Photo courtesy of iStock / EduardMoldoveanuPhotography

  • Seabrook Island, South Carolina

    Seabrook Island, South Carolina

    Seabrook Island is the quieter, more pristine version of nearby Kiawah, and is home to one of the wildest coastlines in the Carolinas. Wildlife enthusiasts should keep their eyes peeled for the 80-plus species of birds frequently spotted on the island, as well as the endangered loggerhead sea turtles who come here to nest.

    Photo courtesy of DigitalVision / Thomas Northcut

  • Block Island Beach, Rhode Island

    Block Island Beach, Rhode Island

    With 17 miles of sandy beach, finding your own little stretch of paradise is a simple task. The further you get from the ferry terminal, the more rugged and untouched the beaches, so rent a bike and get exploring.

    Photo courtesy of iStock / nico_blue

  • Topsail Island, North Carolina

    Topsail Island, North Carolina

    Seashells and sea breezes await at Topsail Island, one of the more family-friendly and uncrowded stretches of sand along the coast of North Carolina. The 26-mile long barrier island is home to three small towns, all with a laid-back vibe, and all four beaches tend to stay quiet, even in the heart of summer.

    Photo courtesy of iStock / Penny Britt

  • Sandbridge Beach, Virginia

    Sandbridge Beach, Virginia

    Lined by private vacation homes, Sandbridge Beach is one of the most peaceful in Virginia, placing sixth in our 2018 Readers' Choice Awards for Best Virginia Beach. From your beach house, you can walk down to the sand and have the entire area to yourself with only a few other families in sight. Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park offer kayaking, hiking and fishing nearby.

    Photo courtesy of iStock / Sherry Smith

  • Goose Rocks Beach, Maine

    Goose Rocks Beach, Maine

    The powdery white sand of Goose Rocks Beach extends for nearly three miles along the coast of Kennebunkport, Maine. Much less crowded than nearby Kennebunk Beach, Goose Rocks is a favorite among walkers and sand castle-building families. And if you're traveling with a four-legged friend, they're welcome to join you in the sand in the mornings and evenings.

    Photo courtesy of Myriam Galarneau / Life of Pix

  • Bethany Beach, Delaware

    Bethany Beach, Delaware

    If the crowds and prices of busy Rehoboth Beach are getting you down, drive just 13 miles along the coast to Bethany Beach, a much quieter resort town known for its boutique shopping, plentiful seafood restaurants and miles of quiet sands. Besides swimming, the beach here offers sailing, surfing and standup paddleboarding.

    Photo courtesy of iStock / Robert Kirk

  • Nauset Light Beach in Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts

    Nauset Light Beach in Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts

    Compared to much of the East Coast, any of Cape Cod's beaches seem quiet and uncrowded, but if you venture into the Cape Cod National Seashore, you'll find some of the best. The broad, sandy Nauset Light Beach is accessible via a steep staircase winding down the cliffs from the parking lot. With lifeguards on duty, showers and changing rooms, this beach blends isolation and convenience seamlessly.

    Photo courtesy of iStock / Kirkikis

  • Emerald Isle, North Carolina

    Emerald Isle, North Carolina

    North Carolina's Emerald Isle, located in the southern Outer Banks, is perhaps the most beautiful stretch of sand in the Carolinas. It's no wonder that it took top honors in our 2018 Readers' Choice Awards for Best North Carolina Beach. Sunseekers laze in the sand or swim, and you can even hop on a boat for some dolphin watching.

    Photo courtesy of iStock / April Ann Canada

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