22 must see beaches list for 2022
The Beaches To Be At
After the last couple of years, it’s safe to say that we all could use a nice relaxing beach vacation. There’s nothing more soothing than spending time on the sand and the following 22 beaches are some of the most beautiful in North America. Click on the slideshow, pop open a bevvy, and be prepared to be swept away by the sound of the waves.
Condado Beach, Puerto Rico
Can you find more deserted, paradisical stretches of sand on the island? Perhaps, but they can’t compare when it comes to coolness with this chic urban beach. Located in the heart of San Juan—Puerto Rico’s historic and handsome capital—the beach is ideal for soaking up some rays before setting off to explore the atmospheric Old Town. Or, just simply slip on your sandals and shuffle next door to the many trendy bars and cafes near the sand; you can do it all at Condado.
Caladesi Island State Park, Florida
Located near Clearwater and Dunedin, Caladesi Island can only be reached by water and that gives this Florida isle an extraordinary, unspoiled atmosphere like nothing else in the region. You won’t find many distractions here, just dreamy white sand, teal blue water and a range of wildlife, or in other words: a beach paradise.
Grace Bay Beach, Turks & Caicos
Home to dozens of excellent resorts and a seemingly endless expanse of sand and sea, Grace Bay is hands down the finest beach in Turks & Caicos. The extraordinary length of the strand allows for everyone to have enough space to spread out and simply relax, making it easy to find your own personal slice of Caribbean paradise.
Coopers Beach, New York
Stroll along soft, caramel-kissed sand in front of a backdrop of dunes and grand, Gatsby-esque mansions at this magnificent beach in Southhampton on Long Island. Be aware that there is a day-fee to park at Coopers, but with a beach this pretty, you’re sure to find it worth every penny.
Tulum Beach, Mexico
You can find stunning beaches all over the world, but none can match the combination you’ll find at Tulum Beach in the Mexican Caribbean. Here, snow-white sand, turquoise water and the ancient Mayan ruins of Tulum come together to create a scene that will simply take your breath away. Come for the history, stay for vacation stories you’ll never forget.
Panama City Beach, Florida
PCB has been percolating up the beach power rankings for a while now, but this year might be the year it truly breaks through. In addition to some of the ‘sugary-est’, softest sand you’ll find in the nation, the city will play host to a plethora of special events and soirees in 2022. Just a few of the highlights include the Seabreeze Jazz Festival in April, the Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam country festival in June and a sizzling summer concert series that is scheduled to run every Tuesday from June through August.
Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach, North Carolina
The only Tar Heel State Beach to ever top the famed Dr. Beach’s annual rankings of the top beaches in America, the lifeguarded beach on Ocracoke Island in the Outer Banks is truly a sight to behold. The especially wide beach here means that there’s always enough room to plop a chair down, stretch out and just relax.
Pink Sands Beach, The Bahamas
Your Instagram followers have never seen you post anything like this before. The result of thousands of years and millions of microscopic shells, Pink Sands Beach on Harbour Island has been tinted a glorious shade of rose and it’s also home to calm waters and a backdrop of cute cottages.
Coast Gaurd Beach, Massachussets
Cape Cod National Seashore celebrated its 60th anniversary last August, but it will be accepting belated birthday visits all year. This forty-mile stretch of gorgeous shore is considered a smashing success of the conservation movement and Coast Gaurd Beach near Eastham is the seashore’s star strand.
Beachwalker Park, South Carolina
A stone’s throw from the heart of Charleston, Kiawah Island offers a true island atmosphere and will once again play host to scores of special events and concerts in 2022. Beachwalker Park is home to the island’s most sensational beach and it also serves as a wonderful base for admiring the island’s vast birdlife and other nature-lover delights.
Isla Holbox, Mexico
The Mexican Caribbean has been our favorite international escape over the last couple of years, but if you dig a little deeper on Yucatan Peninsula destinations in 2022 (well, just off it to be exact) you’ll be amazed at what you find. This island (pronounced “hole-bosh”) is located a few hours north of Cancun and offers up a relaxed vibe full of car-free streets and carefree spirits that will de-stress you the second you step foot on the isle.
Honeymoon Beach, U.S. Virgin Islands
With a majority of its land a national park, St. John is the most idyllic and naturally beautiful of the USVIs and this stretch of sand is one of its finest beaches. Head to Honeymoon Beach for a day full of sunbathing, relaxing in the shade of a coconut tree and sipping creamy libations from Bikinis—one of the best beach bars in the Caribbean.
Duke Kahanamoku Beach, Hawai’i
Waikiki Beach’s stellar reputation stretches far and wide, but head to the western section of the sand to find this beach and a slightly more tranquil atmosphere. Enjoy the light brown sugar sand underneath your feet, dip your toes in the nearby manmade lagoon and gaze upon Diamond Head in the distance.
Sandbridge Beach, Virginia
Just a few miles from the busy boardwalk and the neon buzz of Virginia Beach, Sandbridge is an oasis of sea oats, soft sand and dunes. Chill on the beach in order to get that perfect tan, learn to surf on the relatively gentle waves or spend time in the back bays searching for local wildlife.
El Matador Beach, California
You’ll have to make your way through a breathtaking group of bluffs and descend a flight of steps to make it to El Matador Beach in Malibu, but it’s more than worth the trek. Here, you’ll find pretty sand (perfect for sunset walks and picnics), interesting rock formations and tide pools—perfect for exploring at low tide.
Seven Mile Beach, Jamaica
Jamaica’s crown jewel when it comes to beaches, Seven Mile is simply stunning. The water is almost always calm, the terrain is flat—making getting in and out of the water a breeze—and the sand is soft and white. In addition, the shores of Seven Mile play host to some of the finest resorts on the island.
White Bay Beach, British Virgin Islands
The BVI’s are one of the best places in the world for boaters, but when it comes time to drop anchor, the islands are also awash in heavenly beaches. Head to White Bay Beach for calm warm waters, soothing sand and rum-filled concoctions at the world-famous Soggy Dollar Bar.
Miami Beach, Florida
Home to America’s answer to Ipanema—South Beach—Miami Beach is one of the nation’s most beloved sandy playgrounds and it will stay hot in 2022. Start out people-watching on the aforementioned South Beach before heading up the shore to its more laid-back sections: Middle Beach and North Beach.
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Gulf Shores is consistently turning heads and turning travelers on to the Alabama Gulf Coast and 2022 will see it back at the top of its game. The biggest headline for the year ahead is that the Hangout Festival is set to return in May and will feature A-list names like Doja Cat, Kane Brown, Zedd, Post Malone, Halsey, Megan Thee Stallion and dozens more performing on the beach.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Nope, that picture wasn’t taken in the Caribbean, it’s pure Michigan. This stunning national park on the shores of Lake Michigan is home to mountains of white sand and when the temperatures and the water get warmed up come summer, there’s nowhere else you’d rather be.
Coronado Beach, California
Coronado is usually the first beach that comes to mind when you think San Diego and 2022 looks set to be another dreamy 12 months on the sand here. Post up on the beach with the pretty Hotel Coronado behind you, walk to nearby North Beach to see pets and their owners frolicking, or just sit staring at the sand that—due to its unique composition—literally sparkles.
Hapuna Beach State Park, Hawai’i
Fresh off being named the nation’s best beach in 2021 by Dr. Beach himself, Hapuna Beach State Park on the Big Island will be a heavenly place to be this year, too. The sand here is renowned for its white sand—it’s the largest such beach on the island—and the water is conducive to nearly all watersports. You may even spot whales offshore in spring!