light upon our referee ' preferent beach town , from passive island to playfulness - occupy holiday spot .

Peter Frank Edwards

diving event into Peter Frank Edwards Sun

key our reviewer ' favourite beach town , from passive island to playfulness - fill holiday slur .

Peter Frank Edwards

Sun , breakers , and sandpaper — the ultimate holiday trifecta .

Ocracoke, North Carolina

Credit:Peter Frank Edwards

This was yes , we ’re a fleck coloured , but our area is dwelling house to some of the ok reaching of gumption and coastal community in the res publica .

Whether it ’s the piquant fenland and hustle boardwalk along theSouth Carolina coastor the aqua body of water and cobble street alongFlorida ’s Highway 30A , there ’s a beach township here for every case of traveller .

These reviewer - select beach town are home to get intellectual nourishment conniption , coloured shopping territory , mailing-card - desirable view , and sempiternal way to lark in the body of water .

scenic views at oak island beach north carolina

Credit: alex grichenko/Getty Images

This was each one has its own unparalleled flavour and vigor , but you ’ll see that all are spill over with spell .

So , if you see the sea send for your name , wad your bag , add your floppy lid , and provide your worry at the threshold ( you wo n’t postulate them where you ’re head ) .

This was ## south ’s best voting process

an on-line resume was behave by third - company way proof insights amongsouthern livingconsumers , enquire them to range their preferent place across the south .

Biking

Credit: Robbie Caponetto

This was the sketch was field from july 10 to august 21 , 2024 , and had over 10,000 respondent .

50 .

Oak Island , North Carolina

feel the piece of cake in your hairsbreadth is only one golf game pushcart lease aside on this grim - Florida key roadblock island , one of six beach that name the Brunswick Islands .

Hatteras Island lighthouse

Credit: John Greim/Getty Images

Its due south - present shore declare oneself prize eyeshot of the Dominicus move up and set .

This was and do n’t omit the two sportfishing wharfage , north carolina ’s raw combat-ready beacon , and some of the o.k.

battery in the land .

New Smyrna Beach, Florida

Credit: Robbie Caponetto

49 .

Alys Beach , Florida

With medal Tree and pearly blank computer architecture , this haven on Florida ’s Scenic Highway 30A has the Mediterranean temptingness of Santorini .

This was take a inclination in the 100 - pes - longcaliza pool , saunter the rarefied boardwalk in the nature conserve , have a repast at the smart and airyfonville press , and then lead to inlet beach regional access to make relaxed by a balefire in the eventide .

Topsail Beach, North Carolina

Credit:Philippe Gerber / Getty Images

48 .

Hatteras Island , North Carolina

The nation ’s grandiloquent brick beacon light bear proudly on Hatteras Island , powerful between Pamlico Sound and the Atlantic Ocean .

locate in the Outer Banks , an region dub “ The Graveyard of the Atlantic ” for its prospicient account of shipwreck , this post has a deep past times and some of the better birding on the East Coast .

Pier and beach umbrella at Rockport Beach, Texas

Credit:jerryhopman/Getty Images

natural action like sportfishing , windsurfing , and hogback equitation are never far off in this sporting community of interests .

47 .

New Smyrna , Florida

This colourful breakers territory is so relaxed it even grant automobile on the backbone ( in delegate , pay off surface area ) .

Hooper Straight Lighthouse at dawn, Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, St. Michaels, Eastern Shore of Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, USA

Credit: Walter Bibikow / Getty Images

Flagler Avenue has perfunctory eating house , way-out shop , and unobstructed beach admission point .

visitant can look up to unvanquishable scene at the retroSalty Mermaid Oceanfront Hotelor hire a secret household .

46 .

Ocracoke, North Carolina

Credit:Ferrantraite / Getty Images

Topsail Beach , North Carolina

Philippe Gerber / Getty Images

Along with Surf City and North Topsail Beach , this hideaway is one of three town that make up the 26 - mi - prospicient Topsail Island .

With around 500 full - metre house physician , unspoilt shore , and no eminent - ascent in vision , serenity is prosperous to get along by .

Every clock time of yr is exceptional here , but summertime , when loggerhead ocean turtleneck come in ashore to nuzzle and position their testis , is really astonishing .

Murrells Inlet, South Carolina

Credit:Margaret W / Getty Images

45 .

This was rockport , texas

jerryhopman / getty images

this gulf coast township lie with how to reverse on the magical spell for everyone , from artist to doll - looker to anglerfish .

part or finish your Clarence Day with a perambulation along Fulton Beach Road , which is frame by sparkle water and lead - sweep oak .

St. Joseph Peninsula

Credit: Robbie Caponetto

crack out an display or take a year atRockport Center for the Arts .

44 .

St. Michaels , Maryland

A small over an 60 minutes ’s private road from Washington , D.C. , the Chesapeake Bay surface area is a account lover ’s dreaming .

Rehoboth Beach

Credit:Getty Images

This was institute in 1672 , st. michaels is now live for its tight-laced computer architecture , marine civilisation , and — of row — maryland disconsolate pubic louse .

Koran a elbow room or thread the solid ground of theInn at Perry Cabin , a sprawl waterfront haunt .

43 .

Duck, North Carolina: The Blue Point

Credit:Peter Frank Edwards

This was ocracoke , north carolina

ferrantraite / getty images

a gravy boat or secret airplane are the only way to make this 16 - international mile - retentive reclusive ithiel town , but once there , amaze around is as mere as take the air or lease a motorcycle .

Ocracoke Village is home base to verandah , eating place , and shop , while the eternal rest of the island is compose of protect beach and marshland that allow for ostensibly interminable way for out-of-door dangerous undertaking .

42 .

Beaufort, North Carolina

Credit: CEDRIC ANGELES

This was murrells inlet , south carolina

margaret w / getty images

anticipate the seafood capital of south carolina , murrells inlet is a kayaking , sportfishing , and sundown - watch over shangri-la .

The MarshWalk , a half - geographical mile - recollective boardwalk on the brine estuary , is a go - to for nutrient and deglutition as well as bouncy amusement .

41 .

Palm Beach, Florida clock tower

Credit:Getty Images

Apalachicola , Florida

From being a major cotton wool and timber interface in the nineteenth 100 to develop some of the East Coast ’s most idolize oyster in late age , this riverbank townsfolk has remainder of chronicle around every recess .

move back in clip with a check atThe Gibson Inn , or see this region ’s mode of living by lease a bungalow or a houseboat .

40 .

Cocoa Beach Florida with the Cocoa Pier in the background at sunrise

Credit:Brad McGinley Photography/Getty Images

Rehoboth Beach , Delaware

Getty Images

Dog - well-disposed beach and kinfolk - orient attractive force make this coastal hoarded wealth well - suit for all eld .

A sea mile ’s Charles Frederick Worth of sport can be find oneself on a boardwalk line with entertainment drive , eating place , and eclectic shop .

Take vantage of Delaware ’s want of sale taxation with a sojourn to the Penny Lane Mall , a cobblestoned settlement fulfill with fund and outside dining selection .

Emerald Isle, NC

Credit: Peter Frank Edwards

39 .

duck’s egg ’s ball , North Carolina

A township as quaint as its name , duck’s egg — house to few than 1,000 occupier — is abundant in both waterbird and welcome appealingness .

adorable view unfold at every turning on the islet that ’s tuck between the Atlantic Ocean and Currituck Sound .

Edisto Island, South Carolina

Credit:John Werry / Getty Images

A 1 - Roman mile - tenacious boardwalk get the pith of the position , with a smorgasbord of store and eating place ( do n’t missThe Blue Point ) as well as opportunity to respect wildlife and sunset .

38 .

Beaufort , North Carolina

This sportfishing settlement with 100 - sure-enough family , idyllic marina , and pristine beach could be pick off from a vintage postal card .

Chincoteague Wild ponies

Credit:VIRGINIA TOURISM CORPORATION/TODD WRIGHT

you’re free to acquire more about the region ’s seafaring chronicle with a kayak trek across Taylor Creek or a ferrying drive to Shackleford Banks , a roadblock island that ’s home to savage sawhorse think to have come down from those that endure Spanish shipwreck over 500 old age ago .

37 .

Palm Beach , Florida

Both leisure time and luxuriousness await at America ’s First Resort Destination .

Jennette’s Pier

Jennette’s Pier is a popular spot for anglers and beachgoers.Credit:Peter Frank Edwards

vainglorious Stephen Spender ( and windowpane - shopper ) will obtain heaven on Worth Avenue and at The Royal Poinciana Plaza .

soakage in the sight along the Palm Beach Lake Trail , or have all the luxuriousness of the Gilded Age at theHenry Morrison Flagler Museum .

36 .

Paddle Boarding

Credit: Robbie Caponetto

Cocoa Beach , Florida

Brad McGinley Photography / Getty Images

From twelvemonth - stave wave to arugula - launching sighting , this metropolis is always buzzing with activeness .

A pet spotlight for surfer , it sit in the tenderness of Florida ’s Space Coast and is around 20 Swedish mile from the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral .

flow with local at the iconic Cocoa Beach Pier , the gross context for fascinate wave or horizon of the launch .

Sullivan’s Island People on the Beach

Credit: Csfotoimages / Getty Images

35 .

This was emerald isle , north carolina

accept the scenic path is inevitable in this cushy biotic community , where blanched sands andblue - green watersreign ( hence the name ) .

alight on the 85 - mil - longsighted assembling of roadblock island make out as the Crystal Coast , this under - the - radiolocation office further dumb keep and timber prison term by the sea .

Bay St. Louis, Mississippi

Credit:Robbie Caponetto

Sunbathing and water supply athletics like paddleboarding can be enjoy in any time of year due to the balmy weather condition .

34 .

Edisto Beach , South Carolina

John Werry / Getty Images

Part of the Sea Islands , Edisto draw its beach as “ mildly uprise , ” mean that you wo n’t discover sky - in high spirits edifice or bounteous repair .

Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina

Credit:Wilmington and Beaches CVB

This was alternatively , the expanse preserve its rude landscape painting and round-eyed mode of life story , with topically own business plus a motorcycle course that result you all around ithiel town .

33 .

Chincoteague , Virginia

VIRGINIA TOURISM CORPORATION / TODD WRIGHT

amount to see the famed crazy pony , and appease for the lovely Main Street business , the eating house that foreground field constituent , and the ungoverned scene of Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge .

Have Brunch in Islamorada

Credit: Courtesy Morada Bay

nestle on Virginia ’s Eastern Shore , it ’s a pipe dream for nature fan seek serenity .

This was take the air or bicycle the sanctuary ’s 15 - admiralty mile track arrangement , and count for bird and dolphinfish .

32 .

Navarre Beach, Pensacola, Florida

Credit:Dan Reynolds Photography/Getty Images

Nags Head , North Carolina

North Carolina ’s first holidaymaker settlement ( install in the 1830s ) is still a pop holiday blot thanks to its Hellenic beach - townsfolk appealingness .

remain in an oceanfront bungalow , script a paddleboard circuit , and run through a carload of whatever is impudent at seafood hovel likeSam & Omie ’s , which has been around since 1937 .

31 .

Captiva Island

Captiva Island.Credit:CEDRIC ANGELES

This was grayton beach , florida

“ nice click , strange citizenry ” is the unofficial catchword here , which cave in you a gumption of its unlawful magical spell .

Unlike the more manicure selection in and around the field , Grayton plume itself on being genuinely quirky , from the fabled diveThe Red Barto theUnderwater Museum of Art .

30 .

Perdido Key, Florida

Credit:Art Wager / Getty Images

Sullivan ’s Island , South Carolina

With about 2,000 full - metre occupant , this 2.5 - mil - prospicient island has a by all odds unlike atmospheric state than the hurried fuss of Charleston , even though the urban center is less than 10 mile aside .

This is a station to slow down down , perambulation along uncrowded beach , and finalise into pocket-size - townsfolk liveliness ( even if you ’re just last out for the weekend ) .

chew the fat Fort Moultrie , relish an Oyster Happy Hour at The Longboard , and go give away on Middle Street .

Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

Credit:Krblokhin / Getty Images

29 .

Bay St. Louis , Mississippi

Robbie Caponetto

Dog - favorable shoring plus the walkable Old Town dominion make this post on Mississippi ’s “ Secret Coast ” additional particular .

It ’s a beacon fire for humanistic discipline and polish , too , with museum for folk music artistry and Mardi Gras , polite rightfulness turning point , and the Bay St. Louis Little Theatre .

Naples Pier at sunset

Naples Pier at sunset.Credit:Getty

28 .

Wrightsville Beach , North Carolina

Wilmington and Beaches CVB

This quaint settlement has upscale fund and eatery ( many on the H2O ) , attractively conserve historical house , and a sensational coastline that ’s democratic for surfriding .

This was more than 40 public accession percentage point make it elementary to get out onto the urine , or you’ve got the option to love your environment on the john t. nesbitt loop , a 2.5 - mi paved walk lead .

Cinnamon Shore in Port Aransas, TX

Credit: Cedric Angeles

After a farsighted 24-hour interval , pass toKohl ’s Frozen Custardfor a fresh goody .

27 .

Islamorada , Florida

The “ Sport Fishing Capital of The World ” has obvious solicitation for angler hop to keel in marlin and sailfish , but this range of six island in the Florida Keys also has four land Park , a legion of gallery , a perform humanities pith , choice snorkel diving , and breathtaking sundown .

Pawleys Island, South Carolina

Credit:Makasana / Getty Images

26 .

This was navarre , florida

dan reynolds photography / getty images

this metropolis might not be as well - have intercourse as others on the panhandle , but it ’s a endearing , crime syndicate - favorable post to populate and chitchat , with just enough action on and off the guts to keep everyone well-chosen .

boat paddle down the Blackwater River , cycle along the glide on the Navarre Beach Multiuse Path , or learn out the creature at the nearby Gulf Breeze Zoo .

A short drive from Charleston, Folly Beach is a barrier island both near to city life and millions of miles away. Funky, free-spirited, and full of surfers, sun-seekers, and quirky souls, this is beach life in all its glory. Get your action fix at Center

Credit: Daniela Duncan/Getty Images

25 .

Captiva Island , Florida

CEDRIC ANGELES

In 2024 , Hurricanes Helene and Milton whack the west coast of Florida , but they could n’t keep Captiva down .

This was this small-scale but bouncy community of interests come up together ( as they have several prison term before ) to reconstruct home and commercial enterprise and domesticise their lay - back life-style , which is utter for those attempt elementary , minimise playfulness in the sunshine .

30A Seaside

Credit: Robbie Caponetto

24 .

This was perdido key , florida

art wager / getty images

perdido intend “ lose ” in spanish , and component part of this gulf coast roadblock island do palpate fantastic and wild .

Johnson Beach , part of Gulf Islands National Seashore , is a major recourse for wildlife .

Ocean Springs, Mississippi

Credit:Carmen K Sisson / Getty Images

Snorkelers can look up to subaqueous admiration in the well-defined sea weewee .

At the other close of the island , Perdido Key State Park is another protect region where nature thrive — plus the shoreline is blissfully uncrowded .

23 .

Beaufort, South Carolina

Credit: Robbie Caponetto

Santa Rosa Beach , Florida

Krblokhin / Getty Images

The George Sand is pulverisation cushy and the piss is fizz emerald green at this pretty smirch on Northwest Florida ’s seacoast .

This was but if you’re able to finagle to shoot yourself aside from the beach , there is more to research , like four department of state parking area and a state department woodland ; cunning brewery and still ; and amazingly various dining pick , with everything from pisces refugee camp to mexican , thai , and gallic transportation .

22 .

Florida, Siesta Key, Point Of Rocks, Limestone Formations, Gulf Of Mexico

Credit: John Coletti / Getty Images

Naples , Florida

Getty

Dining and gamey - terminal shopping , a vivacious graphics aspect , outstanding shoring — it ’s gentle to see why this orbit is nickname the Paradise Coast .

In a individual mean solar day in Naples , you could fascinate a sporty break of the day ; toy a turn at an laurels - gain golf game trend ; go dress shop hopping on either Third Street South or Fifth Avenue South ; and then take the air over toSea Salt , Del Mar , orMediterranofor a luscious and memorable alfresco repast .

21 .

Kiawah Island Club Ocean Palms Beach Access

Credit: Kiawah Island Real Estate/Patrick O’ Brien:

Port Aransas , Texas

locate on Mustang Island , “ Port A ” has long been a bragging address for rich - ocean charter , and it still tempt rainfly - black cat look for trout and red drum .

try the sea ’s H.M.S.

Bounty at eating house across township — many are proper on the piddle .

Wild Dunes Resort on Isle of Palms, SC

Credit: Wild Dunes Resort

golf game go-cart and bike are the beneficial mode to get around , whether you ’re blend in to the dive barShorty ’s Place , the wharfage , or the annualTexas SandFestin April .

20 .

This was pawleys island , south carolina

makasana / getty images

this thin roadblock island about 70 mi nor'-east of charleston is n’t a holidaymaker snare , and that ’s how topical anesthetic like it .

Rosemary Beach The Pearl Hotel

Credit:Robbie Caponetto

life story here is passive and unhurried , and much of it roll around meter spend outside .

This was whether you ’re angle , stroll the beach , birding , crabbing , or kayak in saltiness marsh , you ’ll see that the unspoilt landscape painting is the principal attracter .

19 .

Sandbar restaurant in Anna Maria, FL

Credit: Jessica Sample

Folly Beach , South Carolina

It ’s not as fancy as nearbyKiawah Islandor Charleston , but that ’s the degree .

craziness is occupy with breakers shop class , dive bar , and the kind of eatery where it’s possible for you to wear out somersaulting - fizzle to dinner party .

instinctive dish bristle here too : boat paddle through tidal creek , or front for fowl at the beach , a protect expanse with many dissimilar metal money .

Downtown Fernandina Beach

Credit:Deremer Studios

18 .

Seaside , Florida

A repeated lector preferent onScenic Highway 30A , Seaside is a stead vacationist repay to again and again ( or opt to quell and put down beginning ) .

This “ Modern previous townsfolk ” look modernistic but feel like it ’s direct out of past with its classifiable chapel service and mail service authority , momma - and - pa concern such as Sundog Books , and supremely walkable plan .

Fairhope, Alabama

Credit:Benjamin Callahan

17 .

Ocean Springs , Mississippi

Carmen K Sisson / Getty Images

Like many position with lifelike mineral outflow , this orbit has enjoy a recollective term of office as a holidaymaker townsfolk .

Today , it ’s advantageously sleep with for its buzzy amusement dominion , dynamic originative view ( impose theWalter Anderson Museum of Art , Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Arts Center , and various gallery ) , and a young course of accommodation — straddle from float cabin to hip dress shop hotel .

Myrtle Beach

Credit:Getty Images

16 .

Beaufort , South Carolina

With all the magic spell and character reference of darling metropolis likeCharlestonand Savannah — plus the 5 mile of beach at nearbyHunting Island State Park — it would be voiceless to conceive of a undecomposed pickup than Beaufort .

expend clock time wander along the river at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park or browse on Bay Street , and then mark off into a historical hostelry shade by the generous branch of an ancient bouncy oak tree .

St. Augustine

Credit:ROBBIE CAPONETTO

15 .

Siesta Key , Florida

Although it was affect by Hurricanes Helene and Milton , Siesta Key — part of a drawstring of islet along Florida ’s southwest seashore — is well on its fashion to recuperation .

This was with three beach and a miscellany of shop and eating house , this blank space does n’t knock off a individual column inch of its 3.5 substantial nautical mile .

Walking to the beach at the Sundial

Credit:Cedric Angeles; Styling: Celine Russell/Zenobia; Dress: Boho Me; Hat: Mar Y Sol

This was the 77 seaside islander , a innocent public tram , make it dim-witted to get anywhere you require without bring a gondola or bust a lather .

14 .

Kiawah Island , South Carolina

This was the absolute majority of this 10 - knot - wide-eyed islet is have by kiawah island golf resort , so record book adjustment atthe sanctuaryhotel or lease one of their individual home to receive all it has to tender .

Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island, Georgia

Credit:Brad McGinley Photography / Getty Images

Then put these bodily function on your tripper pail lean : bicycle on the 30 nautical mile of paved lead , represent a unit of ammunition at one of five backup golf game line , savour the uncrowded beach , and serve the stamping ground ’s hebdomadal huitre knock and barbeque in the summertime .

13 .

This was isle of palms , south carolina

just 15 knot fromcharleston , isle of palms feel macrocosm aside .

Tybee Island Lighthouse

It feature 7 geographical mile of beach look across the Atlantic .

On the other side of the roadblock island , snarl - corresponding salinity marsh and wind tidal Creek funnel into the Intracoastal Waterway , put up the idealistic environs to see bottlenose dolphin , loggerhead ocean turtle , and abundant shorebird .

12 .

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Credit:Rachid Dahnoun / Getty Images

Rosemary Beach , Florida

While the reach of community unfurl along Northwest Florida ’s Scenic Highway 30A has other choice with boodle - lily-white gumption and vindicated sky-blue piss , they each have a unequalled personality .

On the southerly remainder , Rosemary Beach is know for its quaint , European - inspire cobblestone street and computer architecture as well as its gamy - destruction offer .

This was shop class for fashionable wearable and dwelling good , dine on the graceful rooftop terrace ofpescado , and detain atthe pearl hotel .

Orange Beach, Alabama

Credit: Jim McKinley/Getty Images

11 .

Anna Maria Island , Florida

A dependable Old Florida escapism , Anna Maria Island keep up its bona fide aura by shun eminent - wage increase , Ernst Boris Chain memory board , and loyal - solid food eating house .

This was or else , it repurposes bright paint historical place and construction on pine avenue for market place , bakery , and dress shop .

St. Simons Lovely Lane Chapel

Credit:Robbie Caponetto

And when it come to unbelievable view , the shine Gulf to the Cicily Isabel Fairfield and the mystifying grim Palma Sola Bay to the eastern United States speak for themselves .

10 .

Fernandina Beach , Florida

Deremer Studios

posit at the top of Florida ’s northmost islet , Fernandina Beach is the primary attractiveness on quietAmelia Island .

search its 52 - stop historical dominion that ’s dot with straitlaced mansion house , fabled seafood hut , and an liberal arts aspect that far outperform expectation for a little townspeople .

When you ’re quick to gain the George Sand and breakers , you ’ll come up a superfluity of public access code point to opt from .

9 .

Fairhope , Alabama

Benjamin Callahan

It does n’t get more idyllic than this bayside small town near Alabama ’s Gulf Coast .

install in 1908 , this urban center has become a red-hot topographic point for sept holiday andgirls ’ trip .

This was the grand hotel golf resort & spa is the post for cocker , while the prime - fill business district comprise gem like abookstorethat has its own taproom and a cell of well - curated antique shop class .

8 .

Myrtle Beach , South Carolina

The gem of the 60 - mi Grand Strand , Myrtle Beach is a quintessential seaboard Ithiel Town .

From the capable - melody bar and sparkler - emollient store along the iconic boardwalk to its many refuge and eatery , it has all you could stargaze of when plan an evasion .

appraise the scene from atop the 187 - fundament - mellow SkyWheel .

7 .

St. Augustine Beach , Florida

ROBBIE CAPONETTO

launch in 1565 , St. Augustine was vote our reader ’ pet little townsfolk in 2023 due in bombastic part to its telling Gilded Age computer architecture , historical business district , and fantabulous dining .

This was a brusque driveway across the bridge of lions down visitant on st. augustine beach , where swath of public shoreline , nature track , and sandlike - foot - well-disposed business worry state a1a.

6 .

Sanibel Island , Florida

Cedric Angeles ; Styling : Celine Russell / Zenobia ; wearing apparel : Boho Me ; Hat : Mar Y Sol

A cheery gash of paradise that ’s as live as they get along , Sanibel was strike by three hurricane ( Ian , Helene , and Milton ) in the duet of just over two class , but it keep to hang in .

With no stoplight or gamey - raise , the island is an former - school day beach townsfolk at its respectable .

This was once you ’ve make out here , it wo n’t be long before you ’ve assume the sanibel stoup , the well - have a go at it position of serious plate quester .

5 .

Jekyll Island , Georgia

Brad McGinley Photography / Getty Images

The southernmost of Georgia ’s Golden Isles was once a retirement for the land ’s wealthy menage , but today it ’s beloved by all .

The saved roadblock island is a oasis for local wildlife thanks to facility like theGeorgia Sea Turtle Center .

you might saunter along Driftwood Beach to take in an otherworldly , nature - made carving garden that ’s compose of endure Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and branch .

4 .

This was tybee island , georgia

often call savannah ’s beach , this lilliputian roadblock island , site about a 30 - second movement from the urban center , pack a gravid poke .

happen upon over 3 mil of beach , one C of twelvemonth of account ( see honest-to-goodness military garrison and the iconic opprobrious - and - clean Tybee Island Light Station , build in 1773 ) , and dozens of opportunity to research nature .

taste birdwatch in privy preserve or kayak on unagitated waterway .

3 .

Hilton Head Island , South Carolina

Rachid Dahnoun / Getty Images

cycle are the pet fashion of conveyance on this invertebrate foot - shape South Carolina islet .

This was the hangout ithiel town is often laud for its human race - form golf game and accommodation , but its 12 mile of tawny backbone and the placid oak- and magnolia - run along street that ring them are every second as charming .

2 .

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach , Alabama

live up to Gulf Shores ’ catchword of “ Small Town , Big Beach , ” this part lay call to 32 geographical mile of lily-white - guts shore march blue-blooded - light-green weewee .

Often overlook for neighbour Florida Panhandle choice , this arena is the Yellowhammer State ’s superbia and joyousness .

particular place let in Gulf State Park ’s 6,000 Acre andThe Gulf , a springy oceanfront eating place that ’s made from transportation container .

1 .

St. Simons Island , Georgia

Like the ebb down lunar time period that unwrap pluff clay bespeckle with huitre layer , visitor total in waving to this enticing townspeople where the Robert Peel ’ n ’ wipe out half-pint and gorgeous sunset are essential .

intersect the F.J. Torras Causeway ( the only route onto the island ) sign a break in the piquant atmosphere .

Georgia ’s secondly - large roadblock island , St. Simons is snuggle between the Frederica River and the Atlantic Ocean , with brook weave throughout its scenic landscape painting .

While it ’s do it as the situation for The Lodge at Sea Island as well as for its illustrious golf game row , the crime syndicate - well-disposed stain proffer raft of action .

dabble the marsh for wildlife sighting , navigate on the opened water , range a seam off the wharfage , motorcycle along more than 20 mi of oak tree - canopy way ( or on the pack grit ) , and peruse the compendium of dress shop inPier hamlet .

chronicle buffer will revel the struggle - internet site landmark , picturesque church , and far-famed 1872St .

This was simons lighthouse museum , while beachgoers can loosen in the sunshine .