There are dozens of great beaches in the United States. In fact, there may be that many in Hawaii alone. What makes a beach great may be different for different people: good surfing and swimming; natural beauty; site seeing and things to do in the area; or just a place that is relaxing and peaceful. The following examples cover all of these ideas for a great beach.
Cape Hatteras, Outer Banks, North Carolina
The beach at the Outer Banks of Cape Hatteras has its advantages all year round, but is a great place for a winter beach vacation. Even in December, the weather can be comfortably warm. The beaches are much more isolated than during the busy summers and the winter is the best time for searching the beach for shells.
The Cape Hatteras area also offers six different lighthouses to explore, including the one known as America’s Lighthouse. It is 208 feet high and is the tallest brick lighthouse in the country. It is there to remind vessels of the shifting sandbars under the surface of the water.
Cannon Beach, Oregon
This beach falls into two categories – relaxing and peaceful and natural beauty. Cannon Beach is on Highway 101 in Oregon and is a very popular vacation town. But it is not this quaint, flower be-decked little town that draws visitors here. It is the four miles of beach, the awe-inspiring beauty of the imposing rock formations, and the tranquility that bring people to this beach. Generally, the water is too cold for swimming, even in the summer, but any time of year is perfect for a stroll along the beach and around these huge monoliths. Early in the mornings, tide pools around these rocks are teeming with multi-colored starfish, sea anemones, and other unusual sea creatures.
Haystack Rock is Cannon Beaches’ famous landmark and it rises 235 feet out of the ocean. In the early morning hours or at night when the light is right and the moon is shining on Haystack, this rock formation resembles some sort of mythical monster rising out of the ocean.
Hanalei Bay, Kauai
This beach is half-moon shaped and is literally carved into the bottom of steep cliff. One end of the two-mile beach narrows into a rocky point. Most of the north shore of Kauai is too rough for swimming but at the west end where Hanalei Bay is located there is an area of calm shoreline perfect for swimmers. In the summer the water is as smooth as silk and you will find dozens of sailboats moored here while their occupants come ashore to walk, swim, and paddle board. In the winter, the smooth waters abate and it becomes perfect for surfing. This is on the list of the top ten beaches in the United States.
Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
This beach is a part of the Cape Code National Seashore and is also known as one of the top ten beaches in America. It is probably the most popular place to surf along the Cape and is also perfect for swimming. An old Coast Guard station is spread along the entire shoreline of the beach.
Other Great Beaches
Some of the other great beaches in our country include Siesta Beach in Sarasota, Florida, Coronado Beach in San Diego, and Main Beach in East Hampton, New York.
For more information on top beaches, visit http://www.topbeaches.us
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