10 Must See Beaches in the USA

As a Kiwi overseas you’re bound to miss the call of the beach. Luckily, the USA has over 12,000 miles of coastline, meaning there are a ton of beaches to tide you over while exploring (pun intended). Here are our Top 10 picks - add them to your bucket list, stat.

From the strange to the classic tourist beaches to the ones in your dreams. See how many of these places you recognise.  

10. Glass Beach, California. 

Gives a whole new meaning to another man's junk is another man's treasure. Locals used to dump their rubbish on this beach & over time, the surf pounded the broken glass into sand. If you do manage to visit this gem, make sure you're a tidy kiwi - littering has since been prohibited! 

9. Clearwater Beach, Florida

Known for its superfine, stark white sand, Clearwater Beach is a sight for sore eyes. With turquoise blue water, leafy green palm trees and the longest jetty ever, this is a beach you can spend day upon day at. 

8. Venice Beach, California

Anyone visiting LA simply has to pay a trip to this famous beach. This is a beach where swimming is just a side activity. The dreamy oh-so-American boardwalk provides the perfect coastal cycle, and there basketball courts and skate parks to visit along the way. With a ton of street food and amazing performances by street artists you won’t be bored. A trip down Venice Beach is a magical circus-like experience #californication

7. Pensacola Beach, Florida 

Located on the barrier island of Santa Rosa, Pensacola Beach is like nothing else. The layout is simple: beach – hotels/restaurants – beach. Spend your day lazing on the pearly-white sand and wandering the jetty. Bliss! 

6. Ocean City Beach, Maryland

This is one big beach, allowing visitors to occupy space by the city or head to a more secluded area. With great waves, a banging boardwalk and a heap of offshore theme park rides this is the whole package. It’s also home to the ‘Beach Bus’ – which is exactly what it sounds like. 

5. Sand Beach, Maine 

Photo credit: acadiamagic.com

Maine has some gorgeous beaches, and Sand Beach is one of them. This pocket beach, edging a cove between Great Head and Gorham Mountain, is remarkable not only for its rare existence on Maine's craggy coastline, but also for its pink sands, comprising zillions of pulverised shells. Go for the mesmerising scenery & make sure you climb the Beehive for the views. Oh - we dare you to swim - the water temperature rarely exceeds 13 degrees. This is a "must see" list not a "must swim" list after all. 

4. Newport Beach, California 

Any fans of The OC out there? Made famous in 2003 by the antics of Seth, Summer, Ryan and Marissa, Newport Beach is a must-visit. With great surf, impressive cliffs and one big old jetty you won’t regret visiting this gem.

3. Punalu'u Beach, Hawaii 

This beach is made famous by it's black sand (a few shades darker than the black sand you'll find in NZ). The black sand beach was formed from volcanic lava. The other amazing thing about this beach is the chance to see the Hawaiian green sea turtles, so cool!!  

2. Pfeiffer Beach, California: 

Famous for it's purple, yes purple sand. It might be a bit of mission to get to, but Pfeiffer Beach is worth it – trust us. With big open stretches of sand, large rock formations and huge hills covered greenery. 

1. Hanauma Bay, Hawaii

Located on the island of Oahu, Hanauma Bay is perfection. You probably recognise it from a Corona billboard or your dreams. It has crystal clear water, leafy palm trees and is surrounded by vibrant green hills. The snorkelling is incredible, as is the swimming, sunbathing not to mention that baby Dory would lose it over how squishy the sand is. 

How many of these beaches have you been to or even heard of? 

You may get the chance to visit some if you head off on one of our America Programs.