Family beach vacations really can tick all the boxes, providing bucket loads of activities, while freeing up precious relaxation time for parents. From surfing beaches, watersports hubs and city shores with a metropolitan buzz to peaceful island hideaways, there are plenty of family beach destinations on offer for the coastally curious.
Oceanside resorts and beach villas can be a great option for families travelling with little ones in tow. Often just steps away from the sea, they provide quick and easy access back to base for naps or forgotten items. For those with older kids and teenagers, it’s worth checking out local boardwalks and coastal paths that allow exploration without the car, as well as what local beach facilities are on offer including gear hire, watersports and dining options.
Whether you’re craving decadent luxury family vacations or a more rustic island adventure on a budget, we’ve rounded up some of our personal favourites to help you decide the best family beach destinations for your crew.
11 Best Family Beach Destinations
1. Oahu
Oahu is Hawaii’s third largest island, with safe and sandy beaches offering watersports, foodie-rated hangouts and spacious, ocean-front villas. Nicknamed ‘the gathering place’, its thriving metropolitan scene includes Hawaii’s capital Honolulu, appealing to those seeking some city buzz on their family beach vacation. Waikiki continues to be one of the island’s most popular family beach destinations, a short drive from the city, but with plenty of kid-friendly beaches and the diamond head walking trails on its doorstep.
Many of the island’s beaches are protected from larger waves by offshore reefs, providing ideal conditions for little paddlers. Lanakai is one of our favourites: often topping lists of Hawaii’s best family beach destinations, it has calm, clear waters and powder soft sands. It’s a short walk/bike ride away from Kailua where older kids have access to a menu of watersports including paddle boarding, kayaking, snorkeling and diving.
2. South Carolina
South Carolina’s coastline is a real mecca for families, with fabulous beaches and characterful towns full of vibrant restaurants, museums and charming places to stay. Historic Charlestown draws in families with its characterful Victorian homes, walkable downtown area and buzzing cultural/restaurant scene. Home to the barrier-islands, there are plenty of spacious beaches within easy reach, including the Isle of Palms which offers playgrounds, watersports and plenty of pizza hangouts.
A little further south, Hilton Head is full of fun family vibes, topping the polls in recent years as one of the US’s best family beach destinations. With clean waters, white sands, a working lighthouse and excellent facilities – including lifeguards – parents can concentrate on unwinding.
3. Anguilla
With a beautiful beach for nearly every square mile, it’s no wonder Anguilla is up there with the best family beach destinations. Ideal for those looking to escape the crowds without compromising on luxury, it has an abundance of beautiful beachside villas, an exciting culinary scene and a beach to suit every family member.
Kids will love the sandy coves around Island Harbour with their laid back vibes and pizza cafes, while Sandy Ground has calm, shallow waters and a playground on the beach for little ones. Crocus beach on the island’s northern side is a winner with kids of all ages – sheltered between two cliffs, waters are usually calm, ideal for both younger waders and older kids looking to snorkel, kayak or take out a paddle board.
4. Cape Cod
Within easy reach of both NYC and Boston, Cape Cod has long been popular with city escapees seeking relaxed coastal vibes. Quaint oceanside towns such as Chatham and Barnstaple offer up characterful houses well equipped for family beach vacations, just a short stroll away from the local shore. The cape’s eclectic foodie scene is also a draw, from clam shacks and ice cream parlours to luxurious fine dining restaurants catering for all family tastes. There’s boat hire available at most of town marinas and daily whale watching excursions for wildlife lovers.
5. North Carolina
With over 300 miles of beautiful coastline, fresh seafood on tap and one of the world’s 20 best surf towns, North Carolina is fast gaining credibility as a top family beach destination. Home to the infamous Outer Banks (OBX), where warm turquoise waters and powdery white sands have drawn comparisons to the Caribbean, there’s an abundance of pretty villages offering beach houses with ocean views, laid back local eateries and the chance to glimpse wild horses on the sands.
Further south, Wilmington and its surrounds provide an excellent base for families with spacious beach houses, bike trails, water parks and the Carolina Boardwalk featuring classic seaside rides and restaurants. It’s also well connected for those wishing to explore more of this pretty state.
6. Newport Beach, California
Newport Beach is more than deserving of its ‘Golden State’ location with warm sandy beaches, sparkling oceans and plenty of spacious beachside pads. A popular film location, it’s featured in everything from Hollywood classics to teen dramas, as well as on various lists of the west coast’s best family beach destinations. With a fun, laid-back vibe, there’s plenty to entertain all ages with bike and boat hire, kayaking, beachside parks, shopping malls, piers and Balboa island’s infamous Fun Zone. Accommodation comes in all shapes and sizes from swanky waterside villas with their own boat docks to cool, contemporary apartments, all a short walk from the beach.
7. San Diego, California
Located on the stunning Pacific coast, the wild and wonderful playground of San Diego has to be up there as one of our favourite family beach destinations. Offering a heady mix of world class amusement parks, museums, hiking trails and wild beaches alongside some seriously stylish vacation homes, family beach vacations can be as laid back or as action-packed as a family desires. Conservation-led San Diego Zoo & Safari park, Legoland California, the Balboa park museums and the Birch Aquarium at Scripps guarantee days’ worth of entertainment while the beautiful dramatic coastline is perfect for outdoor adventurers. La Jolla, with its pretty village, coves and architect-designed housing is a popular base with families, also drawn by its famous Children’s Pool and sea lions.
8. Jamaica
Jamaica offers the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure with beautiful beaches, waterfalls, underground caves and hiking and biking trails galore in the Blue Mountains. With family-friendly vibes and a warm welcome to be had across the island, there are plenty of excellent bases for family beach vacations. The beaches of Montego Bay have good facilities and calm, clear waters ideal for those learning to swim, with the added bonus of beachside restaurants and playgrounds. Ocho Rios is another popular spot with river tubing, horse riding, golf and catamaran excursions alongside its classic white sand beaches. For those seeking some peace and privacy, there are some beautiful private villas across the island offering space, ocean views and private pools.
9. Florida
Florida may be famous for its theme parks, but its gorgeous coastline deserves just as much attention with sandy shores and turquoise waters to rival those in the best family beach destinations. For those seeking coastal city culture, Miami remains a draw, offering up waterside parks, pretty coastal paths and a vibrant foodie/culture scene alongside some pretty good surf at South Beach.
A little further north, Pompano and Riviera beaches are well set up for the family beach crowd with peaceful neighbourhoods full of cafes and laid back restaurants, all walking distance from the waterfront and coastal attractions. For unspoiled, white sand beaches and untamed nature head to Destin for some of the best in state.
10. Dominican Republic
Combining wildlife-rich rainforests with pristine beaches and beautiful places to stay, the Dominican Republic has plenty to offer outdoorsy families who also enjoy laid back beach time. For adventurous days exploring, the Three Eyes National Park has cave networks and swimmable waterfalls, while the interactive Trampoline Children’s Museum is a family favourite.
Those seeking a luxurious base should check out Punta Cana along the Coconut Coast, serving up palm beaches and turquoise waters with all the conveniences of resort living. Puerto Plata is another popular family beach destination, with a cultural city centre full of galleries, colorful buildings and local cuisine, as well as some seriously spectacular beaches. Some of its resorts offer elegant ocean-front villas for families wishing to have access to amenities without compromising on privacy.
11. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Kids are warmly welcomed in Mexico and Puerto Vallarta is no exception with many attractions set up specifically with them in mind. From zip lining through forest canopies, to crossing suspended bridges in the Las Animas Aventura Park, they will have plenty of stories to take back at the end of their vacation. The city center is an excellent family base with a hive of restaurants, shops and hang out spots as well as a lively mile long beach promenade – the Malecón.
For kids keen on wildlife, many of the local beaches have nesting turtles and the biodiverse Marietas Islands are easily accessible by boat with the opportunity to see dolphins, turtles and humpback whales on the way. For surf enthusiasts, the village of Sayulita is a 45 minute drive, with excellent waves, and local arts/crafts boutiques.
Plan Your Next Family Beach Vacation
The best family beach destinations come in all shapes and sizes, so when deliberating over contenders for this year’s family beach vacation it’s worth considering a few factors, including the age range of the kids in the group and the kind of activities you want to do on arrival.
While some families may be attracted by the amenities and buzz of resort towns such as Puerto Vallarta, Montego Bay or Waikiki, others may wish to explore off the beaten track with beach states such as North Carolina and the lesser explored Caribbean islands offering up near deserted beaches alongside cozy hideaways.
For those seeking a blend of both, a villa stay in a popular location can be an all round win, offering up privacy and space with all the conveniences of resort living. Family-friendly beach pads consistently offer more space and flexibility when it comes to eating in and chilling out, with style and luxury to rival the best hotels.
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