USA Votes LBI #2 Beach on East Coast

Just because everyone goes to the beach in summer doesn't mean you have to fight crowds to find a placid stretch of sand. From Maine to Florida, here are 10 spots where you can savor the shore without so much company.

Playalinda Beach, Florida

Florida's beaches have a well-deserved reputation for being some of the most beautiful in the world, and that means they can get mighty crowded with summer vacation begins. Playalinda, or Pretty Beach, is located on the Canaveral National Seashore just outside of Titusville. Besides being one of Florida's quieter Atlantic coast beaches, it's also one of the state's few nude beaches.

Long Beach Island, New Jersey

The 18-mile Long Beach Island, or LBI, is lined with white sand, so you're almost guaranteed to find a secluded spot to relax. You'll find lifeguards on duty all along the island for families who want to swim or boogie board in the waves, and since the island is only a half-mile wide at its widest point, you can easily get around by bicycle.

Seabrook Island, South Carolina

Seabrook Island is the quieter, more pristine version of nearby Kiawah, and is home to one of the widest coastlines in the Carolinas. Wildlife enthusiasts should keep their eyes peeled for the 80 some species of birds frequently spotted on the island, as well as the endangered loggerhead sea turtles who come here to nest.

Block Island Beach, Rhode Island

With more than 17 miles of sandy beach, finding your own little stretch of paradise is a simple task. The further you get from the ferry terminal, the more rugged and untouched the beaches, so rent a bike and get exploring.

Topsail Beach, North Carolina

Seashells and sea breezes await at Topsail Beach, one of the more family-friendly and uncrowded stretches of sand along the coast of North Carolina. The 26-mile long barrier island is home to three small towns, all with a laid-back vibe, and all four beaches tend to stay quiet, even in the heart of summer.

Sandbridge Beach, Virginia

Lined by private vacation homes, Sandbridge Beach is one of the most peaceful in Virginia. From your beach house, you can walk down to the sand and have the entire area to yourself with only a few other families in sight. Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park offer kayaking, hiking and fishing nearby.

Goose Rocks Beach, Maine

The powdery white sand of Goose Rocks Beach extends for nearly three miles along the coast of Kennebunkport, Maine. Much less crowded than nearby Kennebunkport Beach, Goose Rocks is a favorite among walkers and sand castle-building families; and, if you're traveling with a four-legged friend, they're welcome to join you in the sand in the mornings and evenings.

Bethany Beach, Delaware

If the crowds and prices of busy Rehoboth Beach are getting you down, drive just 9 miles along the coast to Bethany Beach, a much quieter resort town known for its boutique shopping, plentiful seafood restaurants and miles of quiet, sandy beach. Besides swimming, the beach here offers sailing, surfing and stand-up paddleboarding.

Nauset Light Beach in Cape Cod National Sea Shore, Massachusetts

Compared to much of the East Coast, any of Cape Cod's beaches seem quiet and uncrowded, but if you venture into the Cape Cod National Sea Shore, you'll find some of the best. The broad, sandy Nauset Light Beach is accessible via a steep staircase winding down the cliffs from the parking lot. With lifeguards on duty, showers and changing rooms, this beach blends isolation and convenience seamlessly.

Emerald Isle, North Carolina

North Carolina's Emerald Isle, located in the southern Outer Banks, is perhaps the most beautiful stretch of sand in the Carolinas. Calm waters make it a perfect choice for safe swimming, and if you get bored with lazing in the sand, hop on a boat for some dolphin watching.

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