America’s best-kept beach secrets revealed — South Carolina leads the way

Turns out, you don’t need to fight the crowds to find the perfect beach day. A new study from BoatBooker has uncovered some of America’s most secluded beaches. By analyzing Google Maps searches for “secluded beaches,” “hidden beaches,” and “quiet beaches,” and narrowing in on spots with fewer than 100 reviews, the team revealed the country’s most pristine, uncrowded beach destinations. Many of these beaches are tucked inside protected parks, helping preserve their untouched beauty.

Leading the pack is South Carolina, crowned as America’s hidden beach capital with five secret spots landing in the top 20. From marsh-lined boardwalks to white sand shores scattered with driftwood, the Palmetto State offers a coastal escapes without the usual tourist crowds.

At the very top of the list is Vereen Memorial Park in Little River, South Carolina, where hiking trails and wooden boardwalks weave through salt marshes and quiet islands, offering peaceful views of the Intracoastal Waterway. Driftwood Beach at Edisto Island takes second place with its tide pools, seashells, and unique driftwood-lined shore.

Rounding out the top three is Gunnison Beach in Sandy Hook, New Jersey, which is a quiet, clothing-optional beach that’s a favorite for swimming and sunbathing.

Other states making the list include California, which boasts six hidden gems from San Diego to San Francisco, and North Carolina, with four secret beaches along its scenic, less-traveled coastlines.

America’s hidden beaches: The full list

1. Vereen Memorial Park, Little River, South Carolina
2. Driftwood Beach, Edisto Island, South Carolina
3. Gunnison Beach, Sandy Hook, New Jersey
4. Morris Island, Near Charleston, South Carolina
5. Torrey Pines City Beach, San Diego (La Jolla), California
6. Caswell Beach, Caswell Beach, North Carolina
7. Dana Strands Beach, Dana Point, California
8. Pirates Cove Beach, Newport Beach, California
9. Station 22 – Public Beach Access, Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina
10. Edisto Beach State Park Campground, Edisto Beach, South Carolina
11. Ocean Isle Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina
12. Salt Creek Beach, Dana Point, California
13. Gulf Shores Beach, Gulf Shores, Alabama
14. Beach Access #4 – Beach Circle, South Padre Island, Texas
15. Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Buxton, North Carolina
16. Kirby Beach, San Francisco (Marin Headlands), California
17. Funston Beach, San Francisco, California
18. Carolina Beach, Carolina Beach, North Carolina
19. Santa Ana River County Beach River Jetties, Newport Beach, California
20. Coquina Beach, Nags Head, North Carolina
21. Little Corona Beach, Newport Beach, California
22. Crissy Field South Beach, San Francisco, California