airy calm clear water Cliffs isolation Ocean overlook remote rock Rocks Scenic views serene turquoise view viewpoint outdoor water sky rocky Nature Sea Coast shore landform cliff terrain cape islet bay cove Beach reef overlooking Island
Beach

8 Secluded Beaches You Can Escape To This Summer

It may seem impossible to find a quiet stretch of sand anywhere in the US, but these 8 less-visited shores promise pristine beaches, fewer crowds and guaranteed relaxation.

See recent posts by Kathryn O'Shea-Evans

rock outdoor water rocky Coast tower Sea shore Nature cliff vacation Ocean terrain cape cove lighthouse Beach bay stone
Acadia National Park, Maine
Beach brick wall bridge Forest moss National Parks Natural wonders Nature ripple River Road Trips Rocks stream Trip Ideas Waterfall woods outdoor rock water building stone arch water feature autumn
Beach blue sky Coast Natural wonders Nature Rocks shore sky trees water Waterfront Waves outdoor mountain Sea geographical feature body of water Lake horizon cloud loch reservoir Ocean bay reflection landscape background cliff cove cape terrain dusk clouds overlooking Island
1

Isle au Haut, Acadia National Park, Maine

Let the Bush family keep their summertime compound in Kennebunkport. If you know what’s good, you’ll follow the falcons—just a ferry ride from Stonington and at nearly 6,000 acres, Isle au Haut is their secluded nesting ground. It’s just as sequestered for people, thanks to a limited number of daily visitors, but that can often leave you feeling entirely alone with its 18 miles of hiking trails, along marshes, bogs and rock-strewn shores, and five miles of bike paths.

Book Hotels in Maine
outdoor sky mountain Coast cliff Sea landform shore Ocean rock terrain Beach cape Nature bay geology group stack formation material overlooking
Beach animal mammal seal aquatic mammal vertebrate seals fauna Wildlife zoo marine mammal
sky outdoor water Coast Nature Sea shore mountain body of water cliff Ocean horizon rock vacation Beach terrain bay cape rocky wave cove evening tower dusk Sunset hillside
2

Bandon State Natural Area, Oregon

Bandon is known primarily as a golf mecca, thanks to the popular Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, which was inspired by the original courses of seaside Scotland. But Bandon State Natural Area itself is reason alone to head to this idyllic stretch of southern Oregon, where the brief hike to the sand keeps the crowds away, and you’ll likely find as many seals as there are craggy boulders jutting out of the surf.

RELATED: The 20 Most Beautiful Places in America

Book Hotels In Oregon
Beach tree outdoor grass water highland sky Nature mountainous landforms landform geographical feature wilderness body of water mountain green Lake Coast hill cloud loch Sea River landscape cliff mountain range reservoir meadow fjord lush terrain ridge grassy hillside pond surrounded
3

Waipio Valley Beach, Big Island, Hawaii

Verdant green cliffs, black sand and a waterfall tumbling down to the sea—if it weren’t so luxuriously warm and tropically-scented, you could be forgiven for thinking you’re in Iceland. But Waipio Valley is all Hawaiian, from its history (rumored to be the sacred place where Hawaiian royalty grew nutrient-dense taro root) to its untamed landscape.

Book Hotels in Hawaii
sky outdoor water Sunset sunrise horizon Sea afterglow shore Beach cloud dawn Ocean reflection clouds morning dusk Sun Nature Coast evening sunlight wave wind wave setting cloudy
sky water outdoor Coast Sea shore rock Ocean body of water Beach Nature wave wind wave horizon vacation sand cape bay material cove Sunset promontory sandy
Beach Food + Drink food sundae ice cream dessert ice cream cone dairy product chocolate ice cream breakfast meal produce gelato flavor close
4

Hampton Beach State Park, New Hampshire

This windswept arm of land might be called “Hampton,” but it’s about as far from “The Hamptons” as you can get—with 50 acres of soft sand fronting the Atlantic on one side and the Hampton River. In nearby Portsmouth, Annabelle’s Natural Ice Cream is the perfect spot for an afternoon scoop of house-made flavors like Pumpkin Pie—“a taste of New England fall”—and Pirate’s Treasure, topped with rum-soaked raisins.

RELATED: 8 Affordable U.S. Weekend Getaways That Won't Break the Bank

Book Hotels in New Hampshire
hang gliding sky outdoor mountain water shore Coast Sea landform geographical feature Ocean body of water tower cliff Nature horizon rock Beach bay vacation wave cape islet cove terrain lighthouse Island promontory
5

Cattle Point, San Juan Island, Washington

Just a quick drive and ferry ride away from mainland Seattle and its bumper-to-bumper traffic, on the Southern shores of San Juan Island, you'll come across another world, where sea lions, deer, and seals frolic on 112 acres fronting the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Yes, there are stretches of beach, but conifer forests dense with Douglas firs and grassy bluffs are just as Insta-worthy. Don’t miss the 1935 lighthouse, standing watch over the hill where the Hudson’s Bay Company once ran cattle.

RELATED: America's Best Island Vacations (No Passport Required)

Book Hotels in Washington
Beach Hotels Secret Getaways Trip Ideas sky outdoor water screenshot swimming
Beach building outdoor sky grass landmark arch Architecture Town estate brick ancient history facade window monastery palace bridge history
Beach water outdoor geographical feature Nature landform marine biology reef Sea Ocean wind wave wave Coast cape coral reef Island blue ocean floor
water sky Ocean outdoor Sea Nature geographical feature landform blue horizon Coast reef archipelago caribbean islet wind wave shore Island cape wave Beach atoll bay Lagoon swimming
6

Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida

If snorkeling over pristine coral reefs and ancient, barnacled shipwrecks is your dream vacay, then consider a trip to Dry Tortugas National Park. The area is some 70 miles away from Key West by boat or seaplane, and is like stepping back in time: one of the main sites to see on the 7-island atoll is Fort Jefferson, made entirely of brick from 1846-1875 to help safeguard one of America’s shipping channels. Here’s the lowdown on how to get there—if you’re not piloting a pirate ship.

Book Hotels in Florida
sky outdoor habitat Coast landform shore Sea natural environment ecosystem walkway horizon Ocean Beach vacation Nature landscape wetland boardwalk sand waterway bay reservoir overlooking lush
sky outdoor water Ocean atmospheric phenomenon Sea horizon shore morning reflection sunlight Coast Beach bay Boat distance day
7

Unnamed Nonantum Road Beach, Nantucket, Massachusetts

Nantucket locals know how to avoid the gaggle of fair-weather friends who descend on their charming island (population: 10,856) each summer. One reported top-secret hideaway: the beach at the end of Nonantum Road, which sits near Surfside beach but is so remote it doesn’t even have a name. Finish an afternoon of sunbathing with a restorative ginger ice cream in town at The Juice Bar.

Book Hotels in Nantucket
Beach sky outdoor habitat water Nature horizon natural environment atmospheric phenomenon reflection grassland cloud plain ecosystem marsh wetland prairie Lake shore morning dawn mountain sunrise field River steppe loch grass family landscape meadow sunlight reservoir dusk tundra Sea pond clouds land day
Beach tree outdoor plant habitat vegetation natural environment flora Forest botany Garden rainforest Jungle arecales leaf woody plant woodland flower palm family botanical garden landscape tropics plantation palm surrounded
outdoor sky habitat Beach water Nature Sea Coast body of water shore horizon natural environment Ocean cloud sand wind wave wave dune clouds sandy day
8

Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia

If you’ve heard of Cumberland Island, it’s likely for its wild horses, who roam free over the marshy dunes. But because the barrier island is somewhat difficult to get to (only available by passenger ferry), you won’t find any of the crowds that go to nearby Fernandina Beach. The only item on your to-do list here: kayaking the isle’s surrounding waters with SouthEast Adventure Company.

Book Hotels in Georgia

What to wear on secluded beaches

For info on these editor-selected items, click to visit the seller’s site. Things you buy may earn us a commission.

Want more?

Comments

comments

All products are independently selected by our writers and editors. If you buy something through our links, Jetsetter may earn an affiliate commission.