Nothing says “summer” like lounging on the beach with a book or venturing into the waves. The problem is that you’re not the only one with that idea. Sometimes, crowds can turn your beach paradise into a stress-fest.
But the great thing about living in the Southeast is that we have coastlines to spare. Here are six not-so-obvious beaches to visit in the region this season, ranging from the obscure to the unique.
Canaveral National Seashore — Florida
When it comes to seclusion, it doesn't get much better than Canaveral National Seashore. Protected by the U.S. National Park Service, this 58,000-acre area is Florida’s longest stretch of undeveloped Atlantic coastline.
True to its name, Canaveral National Seashore is right by Cape Canaveral, home to the Kennedy Space Center. That’s why the beach is one of the most popular places to watch rocket launches — especially on Playalinda Beach, the stretch closest to the launch pads.
But that’s not Canaveral National Seashore’s only draw. About two-thirds of the park is in Mosquito Lagoon, known for its fishing, kayaking, birding and trail walking opportunities. You’ll also probably see the playful bottlenose dolphins that live there!
Although prided for privacy, Canaveral National Seashore isn’t too far out of the way. You could drive to the aforementioned Kennedy Space Center, as well as the nearby city of Titusville, within about 20 minutes.
Barefoot Beach Preserve — Florida
Jumping to Florida’s Gulf Coast, you’ll find Barefoot Beach Preserve south of Fort Myers. Like Canaveral National Seashore, it’s also undeveloped, letting nature thrive without interference.
The preserve is the perfect place to soak in the sun and quiet. The waves are also usually calm enough for kayaking or canoeing, which is why the beach has an available launching station.
And the beach is just the beginning. A group called Friends of Barefoot Beach Preserve maintains other amenities, like a mile-long trail, a learning center with a sizable shell collection, a butterfly garden, and seasonal lectures about nature and Native American culture.
Barefoot Beach Preserve is just under an hour away from Fort Myers, which is known for its own beaches, alongside locally-owned restaurants and shops.
Fort Morgan Beach — Alabama
Since 1834, Fort Morgan has looked out over Mobile Bay on the tip of a peninsula. But what many may not know is that the historic site is right by a white-sand beach!
After touring the fort, head out for a little R&R under an umbrella on the sand — or cast your line. The peninsula cuts between the bay and the Gulf of Mexico, so its catches vary, ranging between Redfish and Kingfish to Red Snappers and Mahi Mahi. Hop on a local charter boat to get the real deal!
There are also several brightly-colored beach homes available to rent right by the shoreline. Most are even pet-friendly, meaning the whole family can come along on your vacation.
Just down Fort Morgan Road is Gulf Highlands, known for its abundant golf courses and restaurants. And the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is also less than 20 minutes away, offering more than 7,000 acres for kayaking, trail walking and birdwatching.
Topsail Beach, North Carolina
North Carolina is known for its quaint barrier islands — including Topsail Beach, which sits at the southernmost tip of Topsail Island!
With less than 500 residents, Topsail Beach is your quintessential laid-back, tiny beach town. High-rise development is against the law, and most of the surrounding restaurants, shops and hotels are locally owned. There’s even a museum where visitors can learn about the island’s rich history of pirates, wartime missile production, aviation testing, and more!
But while you can certainly fish and boat, Topsail Beach is actually known for shelling, which is the practice of collecting seashells. During low tide, visitors and locals alike can be seen scouring the sand near tide pools, piers and other areas for unique shells — especially after a big storm.
Topsail Beach is about an hour’s drive from Wilmington, a port city famous for its riverfront, outdoor excursions, and tourable World War II battleship.
Morris Island — South Carolina
Have you ever seen a 19th century lighthouse float in the middle of the ocean?
Such a thing can’t exist, of course — but on Morris Island, you’ll see something close. The 161-foot tall Morris Island Lighthouse stands on what used to be part of the beach before erosion pushed the land back.
That process didn’t erode the beach’s beauty, though. Like Topsail Beach, this is a wonderful place to search for seashells, especially sand dollars. From the shoreline, the curious can also kayak or boat near the lighthouse, although the structure can’t be toured and shouldn’t be climbed.
Kayaking and boating are also the only ways to reach Morris Island, with several companies offering ferry services and even tours of the island. Those guided experiences normally launch from Folly Beach, which is just south of Charleston and has its own attractions, including a fishing pier and small-town stores and restaurants.
Driftwood Beach — Georgia
Some may think every beach is the same old stretch of water and sand, but those people have never heard of Driftwood Beach.
Perched on the north end of Jekyll Island, Driftwood Beach used to be a maritime forest. Similar to Morris Island, though, decades of erosion turned it into something special. The beach is full of large hunks of driftwood, making it a favorite among photographers and sightseers.
Jekyll Island is home to more than just Driftwood Beach. You can also tour several 18th and early 20th century homes, as well as visit the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. There are even shops and restaurants to enjoy!
Jekyll Island is bordered by several other islands that make up the Golden Isles. Each has its own beaches and attractions, including several golf courses.
The waves are waiting!
Enjoy a different kind of beach this summer! Your Toyota is ready to help you and your family make more memories.