America’s Top 20 Beaches

Block%20Island%2C%2013%20miles%20south%20of%20the%20Rhode%20Island%20coast%2C%20is%20a%20popular%20summer%20tourist%20destination%2C%20offering%20bicycling%2C%20hiking%2C%20sailing%2C%20fishing%20and%20beaches%20next%20to%20the%20rock%20cliffs.%20Every%20year%20the%20island%20hosts%20a%20week-long%20sailing%20race.%20%28Photo%20Credit%3A%20Thinkstock.com%29

Lanikai%20Beach%20is%20often%20rated%20as%20one%20of%20the%20best%20beaches%20in%20the%20world.%20But%20the%20small%20half-mile-long%20beach%20lacks%20basic%20amenities%20like%20showers%20and%20lifeguards.%20Photographers%20love%20it%2C%20however%2C%20because%20of%20the%20two%20picturesque%20islands%20situated%20just%20off%20the%20coast.%20%28Photo%20Credit%3A%20Thinkstock.com%29

Cumberland%20Island%20is%20only%20accessible%20by%20ferry%20or%20kayak%20and%20has%20a%20limit%20of%20no%20more%20than%20300%20visitors%20per%20day.%20Visitors%20get%20to%20experience%20wild%20horses%20and%20loggerhead%20turtles%20roaming%20the%20beaches.%20%28Photo%20Credit%3A%20Thinkstock.com%29

Butterfly%20Beach%20is%20a%20favorite%20of%20Santa%20Barbara%20residents.%20Locals%20and%20their%20dogs%20stroll%20the%20rocky%20shores%2C%20venturing%20further%20up%20and%20down%20the%20coast%20at%20low%20tides.%20Butterfly%20Beach%20is%20also%20popular%20with%20celebrities.%20%28Photo%20Credit%3A%20Thinkstock.com%29

Wainscott%20Beach%2C%20in%20southeastern%20Long%20Island%2C%20is%20a%20wide%20and%20flat%20beach%20that%20runs%20along%20some%20the%20most%20beautiful%20and%20expensive%20real%20estate%20in%20the%20country.%20%28Photo%20Credit%3A%20Thinkstock.com%29

Hanakapiai%20Beach%20can%20be%20found%20on%20the%20Hawaiian%20island%20of%20Kauai.%20Although%20inaccessible%20by%20road%2C%20It%20is%20a%20popular%20tourist%20destination.%20Swimming%20is%20not%20recommended%20due%20to%20the%20high%20surf%20and%20strong%20rip%20currents.%20%20%28Photo%20Credit%3A%20Thinkstock.com%29

Cape%20May%20is%20located%20at%20the%20southern%20tip%20of%20New%20Jersey%2C%20near%20the%20mouth%20of%20the%20Delaware%20Bay.%20This%20historic%20seaside%20resort%2C%20filled%20with%20Victorian%20houses%2C%20is%20often%20rated%20among%20the%20world%26%238217%3Bs%20best%20beaches.%20Cape%20May%20is%20great%20for%20people%20watching%2C%20among%20many%20other%20activities.%20%28Photo%20Credit%3A%20Thinkstock.com%29

South%20Beach%20is%20more%20than%20just%20white%20sand%20beaches%20and%20warm%20ocean%20waters.%20It%20is%20an%20entertainment%20destination%20with%20night%20clubs%2C%20restaurants%20and%20art%20deco%20buildings.%20Even%20the%20colorful%20lifeguard%20stands%20are%20popular%20on%20local%20tours.%20%28Photo%20Credit%3A%20Thinkstock.com%29

The%20Outer%20Banks%20are%20a%20group%20of%20barrier%20islands%20off%20the%20coast%20of%20North%20Carolina.%20Offering%20wide%20open%20beaches%20and%20mild%20water%20temps%2C%20the%20Outer%20Banks%20is%20also%20where%20the%20Wright%20Brothers%20made%20their%20first%20successful%20flight.%20%28Photo%20Credit%3A%20Thinkstock.com%29

Big%20Sur%20hugs%20the%20Pacific%20Coast%20between%20San%20Francisco%20and%20Los%20Angeles.%20The%20area%20has%20plenty%20of%20scenic%20beaches%2C%20but%20swimming%20is%20not%20recommended%20due%20to%20the%20cold%20waters%20and%20shifting%20ocean%20currents.%20Cruise%20down%20Highway%201%20for%20a%20breathtaking%20tour%20of%20the%20coast.%20%28Photo%20Credit%3A%20Thinkstock.com%29

Great%20Point%20Beach%20on%20Nantucket%20is%20only%20accessible%20with%20a%204%26%23215%3B4%20vehicle%2C%20and%20you%20will%20need%20a%20permit%20to%20visit.%20But%20the%20view%20of%20the%20lighthouse%20is%20well%20worth%20the%20trouble.%20Swimming%20is%20now%20allowed%2C%20but%20fishing%20is%20recommended.%20%28Photo%20Credit%3A%20Thinkstock.com%29

Avalon%20Bay%20is%20located%20on%20Santa%20Catalina%20Island%2C%20off%20the%20coast%20of%20California%20near%20Los%20Angeles.%20This%20popular%20resort%20destination%20offers%20scuba%20diving%2C%20snorkeling%20and%20glass-bottom%20boat%20tours.%20High%20rollers%20can%20visit%20the%20local%20casino.%20%28Photo%20Credit%3A%20Thinkstock.com%29

Ocean%20City%20is%20a%20great%20family%20attraction%20with%20miles%20of%20guarded%20beaches%2C%20not%20to%20mention%20the%20world-famous%20boardwalk.%20Right%20off%20the%20beach%20is%20a%20quaint%20downtown%20offering%20shopping%20and%20dining.%20%28Photo%20Credit%3A%20Thinkstock.com%29

Clearwater%20Beach%20is%20a%20family%20resort%20area%20offering%20white%20sand%20beaches%20along%20the%20Gulf%20of%20Mexico.%20Just%2025%20miles%20south%20of%20Tampa%2C%20this%20resort%20area%20offers%20parasailing%20and%20jet%20skis.%20Dolphins%20can%20often%20be%20spotted%20swimming%20near%20the%20coastline.%20%28Photo%20Credit%3A%20Thinkstock.com%29

Hanalei%20Bay%20Beach%20sits%20on%20the%20north%20shore%20of%20Hawaii%26%238217%3Bs%20Kauai%20island.%20Its%20white%20sand%20beaches%20and%20surrounding%20mountains%20make%20this%20a%20magnificent%20spot.%20Amateur%20and%20professional%20surfers%20enjoy%20the%20strong%20currents%20and%20powerful%20waves.%20%28Photo%20Credit%3A%20Thinkstock.com%29

Key%20West%2C%20the%20Continental%20U.S.%26%238217%3Bs%20southernmost%20city%2C%20is%20surrounded%20by%20white%20sand%20beaches%20and%20clear%20ocean%20water%2C%20perfect%20for%20scuba%20diving%2C%20snorkeling%20and%20sport%20fishing.%20%28Photo%20Credit%3A%20Thinkstock.com%29

Bald%20Head%20Island%20is%20a%20small%20remote%20island%20at%20the%20entrance%20of%20the%20Cape%20Fear%20River.%20Access%20is%20by%20ferry%20only%3B%20no%20cars%20are%20allowed%20anywhere%20on%20the%20island.%20The%20picturesque%20setting%20makes%20for%20a%20relaxing%20visit.%20%28Photo%20Credit%3A%20Thinkstock.com%29

Sanibel%20Island%20is%20a%20barrier%20island%20located%20off%20the%20Gulf%20coast%20of%20Florida.%20Wildlife%20refuges%20cover%20half%20the%20island.%20But%20its%20beaches%20are%20perfect%20for%20strolling%20and%20finding%20seashells%20that%20wash%20ashore.%20%28Photo%20Credit%3A%20Thinkstock.com%29

Wai%26%238217%3Banapanapa%20Black-Sand%20Beach%20is%20situated%20between%20black%20lava%20cliffs%20and%20a%20tropical%20jungle.%20Its%20glistening%20water%20provides%20visitors%20a%20perfect%20setting%20to%20snorkel%20and%20scuba%20dive%20during%20low%20tide.%20%20%28Photo%20Credit%3A%20Thinkstock.com%29