10 Most Beautiful White Sand Beaches in the United States

Are you looking for a leisurely stroll along the beach, with your feet sinking into the soft sands and your eyes gazing at the gorgeous scenery? Well, then, you’re in luck! These 29 best white sand beaches in the United States have a lot in store for you, from stunning backdrops of lush mountainscapes to miles and miles of oceanfront.

These postcard-worthy beaches, dotted across the most beautiful states in the US, have some of the whitest sand in the world. Each of these beaches boasts a captivating natural beauty and crystal-blue waters that are sure to leave you awestruck.

From the rocky shores of Hawaii to beaches with some of the softest sand in Florida, here are 29 of the most beautiful white sand beaches in the US.

St Petersburg FloridaPhoto byPC: ©TheBoutique Adventurer

1. Pensacola Beaches, Florida

Pensacola boasts fluffy sand that rivals the whitest beaches in the world, and offers soft sands, shallow waters, and gentle waves.

The beach and resort community on Florida’s Panhandle is one of the best places to swim, go snorkeling, and enjoy water sports. From activities like surfing, parasailing, and taking a dolphin cruise and bay tour, Pensacola’s beaches have you covered.

You’ll find several restaurants, shops, recurring events, and a theater along the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk. The beaches are easily accessible; some are even wheelchair-friendly.

2. Kaanapali Beach, Maui, Hawaii

Kaanapali is one of the best white sand beaches in Hawaii. Spotting sugary sands, black boulders, and a lush surrounding landscape, Kaanapali Beach is famous for its snorkeling, stand-up paddle boarding, and cliff diving opportunities.

The beach is also among the best blue water beaches in the USA, making it popular among travel photographers and magazines. Among the various activities, there are to enjoy at Kaanapali Beach, you can enjoy a surfing lesson, go speed boating, or take a snorkelling tour.

3. Flamenco Beach, Puerto Rico

It’s no secret that Puerto Rico is home to many of the clear beaches in the US. Flamenco Beach, located on the island of Culebra, boasts silky soft sands and stunning turquoise waters and offers tranquillity.

Flamenco Beach is not close to any luxe resorts, casinos, or fancy restaurants, allowing you to sunbathe, turtle watch, or take a catamaran tour of Culebra without large crowds. The beach also features an iconic landmark – an old US Navy tank- worth capturing.

4. Coronado Beach, San Diego, California

Spanning over 1.5 miles, Coronado Beach is one of the most popular white sand beaches in San Diego. With scenic backdrops of the iconic Hotel del Coronado with its striking red roof and whitewashed facade, Coronado is a great place to unwind after a busy day.

The beach is a favorite spot for sunbathers, beachcombers, and boogie boarders. But what makes Coronado one of the most beautiful white sand beaches in the US is an excellent place to witness some of the most spectacular San Diego sunsets.

5. Clearwater Beach, Florida

Easily the best white sand beach in Florida, Clearwater is known for its 2.5 miles of soft sand, crystal clear waters, and abundant opportunities for outdoor activities. Clearwater Beach’s calm waters are great for parasailing, jet-skiing, and boating.

The beach offers a bustling promenade dotted with shops, seafood eateries, and cafes. You’ll also enjoy the famous Sunsets at Pier 60 daily festival, featuring performances, crafts, and artisans. The festival happens 364 days a year; it starts two hours before sunset and ends two hours after sunset.

6. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Nestled along a 60-mile stretch of beaches known as the Grand Stand, Myrtle Beach is a family-friendly destination with interactive museums, art galleries, arcades, and aquariums. The calm waters are ideal for kayaking, surfing, parasailing, and jet-skiing.

If you’d like a more relaxed beach experience, Myrtle Beach offers a forest trail full of birdlife and palm trees you can slowly stroll through. You can also take a unique horseback riding excursion along the sandy shores. Don’t miss out on an authentic Polynesian fire luau and dinner show.

7. Carmel Beach, California

The West Coast is one of the best places with white sand beaches in the US, and Carmel Beach is at the top of the pile. The sandy crescent-shaped beach is filled with many pleasures, from marine life sightings of whales, dolphins, and sea otters along the coast to sports like surfing and beach volleyball.

Carmel Beach’s crystal clear waters attract lots of swimmers and surfers. It’s a dog-friendly beach, so your four-legged friends can enjoy a day along the coast. You can enjoy other attractions in the charming village of Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's one of the best places to stop on a road trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco.

8. Siesta Key Beach, Florida

Apart from having some of the whitest sand in Florida, Siesta Key Beach boasts lovely aquamarine-colored waters and shallow waves ideal for paddleboarding, swimming, kayaking, and jet-skiing. It’s also a wonderful place for dolphin watching.

Siesta Key Beach’s sands comprise finely crushed quartz, making it one of the softest sand in the world. The quartz attracts less heat from the sun than normal sand, so it never gets too hot to burn your feet. A good way to end a day here is with a bike sunset tour along the beach.

9. Waimea Bay Beach, Oahu, Hawaii

Characterised by dramatic black-rock boulders along its shoreline, Waimea Bay Beach is among Hawaii's best white sand beaches. This idyllic beach along Oahu's North Shore is famous for its dolphin and turtle sighting opportunities and incredible 30-foot waves in winter.

In the summertime, the calm waters are excellent for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Make sure you take a tour to Waimea Falls to discover one of the beach’s best-hidden gems. Remember, though, that Waimea Bay Beach is one of the best clear-water beaches in the USA, so it often gets crowded in peak seasons, and parking is tight.

10. Orange Beach, Alabama

Orange Beach’s perfect location along the Gulf of Mexico makes it one of the most beautiful white sand beaches in the United States. The beach’s soft white sands partially consist of quartz washed down from the Appalachian Mountains nearby.

There are many things to enjoy on Orange Beach, from Gulf Coast dolphin cruises to deep-sea fishing and stunning sunset sailing experiences. Pair that with delicious Southern cuisine and world-class golf courses, and you’ll see why Orange Beach is arguably the prettiest beach in Alabama.