Beaches With the Best Lighthouses

Located in the city of Crescent City, Battery Point Lighthouse Beach is a rocky beach situated between the Battery Point Lighthouse Park and Battery Point Lighthouse. Battery Point Lighthouse Beach offers many amenities including restrooms, benches, picnic tables, a rock jetty, and a wooden pier. There are a few fun activities at Battery Point Lighthouse Beach including hiking, photography, and beach walking. If you are looking for additional activities, paid tours of Battery Point Lighthouse are provided from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during low tides. Getting to Battery Point Lighthouse Beach is very easy – after you get off of Highway 101, drive down to 200 Lighthouse Way to reach the beach’s free parking lot adjacent to a long wooden pier. The lot provides easy access to the beach.

While British sailors in the 19th century may have mistaken calcite crystals on the beach here for real diamonds, we still give them some credit – Diamond Head Beach is a genuine treasure. With sea cliffs lining the golden sands and blue-green waters crashing at the shore, this Hawaiian beach is absolutely gorgeous. To reach the sands of this paradise, follow Kalakaua Avenue south from Waikiki for a 15-minute drive along the ocean, take a right at Diamond Head Road, and continue to the top of the hill to find parking for the beach, as well as three scenic lookouts. Free street parking is also available, but be aware of potential theft and parking tickets, both of which are quite common here.

Once you reach the beach, all your expectations will be surpassed and the drive to the sand will be more than worth it. The beach is a part of the Diamond Head Beach Park, which is home to a wide array of beautiful, swaying palm trees and amazing views. While the beach is not particularly well-suited for swimming due to strong currents, it’s a great location for surfing. At low tide, you’ll want to check out the tide pools that are teeming with exotic, vibrant marine life. Diamond Head Beach doesn’t offer any amenities – there are no lifeguards, bathrooms, restaurants, picnic tables, snack bars, rentals, or umbrellas – but this simply adds to the rustic, paradisiacal feel of the beach.

If you’re feeling adventurous after the beach and are in the mood for an incredible hike with breathtaking views of the island, get in your car for a five-minute drive to the Diamond Head State Monument and the famous Diamond Head Trail. Bring plenty of water and prepare yourself for the challenge – it’s a 242-meter climb to the top of Le’ahi, commonly called Diamond Head Volcano, with the last 160 meters consisting of steep stairs. The trail is well-marked and lasts about one and a half to two hours roundtrip. If you’re going late in the day to catch the sunset, plan accordingly because the entrance to the trail closes at 4:30 pm every day. Other than the breathtaking views, the highlight of the hike is the broad crater at the top, which is approximately 300,000 years old and is the result of a single volcanic eruption. History buffs will love exploring this crater, as its history dates back to 1904, when the U.S. government purchased Diamond Head to be used for the military’s defense of Oahu. Along the hike, you can explore the five batteries that were built to house the coastal artillery, the observations stations that were used to determine potential threats, and the long-range guns that were mounted on the outer slopes and rim of the crater. While no artillery was ever fired from here, you’ll still see remnants of the military’s presence, such as pistol ranges, concrete landings, tunnels, and camouflaging beams. Nature-lovers will also love this hike, as there is a plethora of flora and fauna lining the trail, including cardinals, doves, and sparrows. If you’re visiting Waikiki, Diamond Head Beach is a must-visit, and Diamond Head Trail is the icing on the cake!

Located along the Gulf Coast shoreline, Biloxi Beach is a long and popular white-sand beach with multiple breakwaters in the city of Biloxi.  The eastern part of this beach is called Biloxi East Beach.  In addition, two other parts of this beach are also known as Biloxi West Central Beach and Biloxi Porter Avenue Beach.

Time Out New Orleans listed Biloxi Mississippi Beach as one of the “10 Best New Orleans Beaches That Are a Short Drive Away” in 2024 and Reader’s Digest listed this beach in its article “20 Best Cheap Beach Vacations for Fun in the Sun.”  According to an online article by the Southern Living magazine, this beautiful beach has the whitest sand in Mississippi. 

Considered by many to be one of the New Jersey coast’s most popular beaches, Cape May Beach boasts fine golden sand and clear turquoise waters. The beach’s aesthetic is unique, as its long stretches of tree-lined Victorian homes provide an architecturally-striking backdrop to an already stunning beach.

Although popular during the summer, Cape May’s paid beachfront parking lots and street parking make it a stress-free beach to access. When beachgoers arrive at Cape May, they find a variety of amenities that promise to make their beach day one to remember. With showers, changing rooms, restrooms, lifeguard stations, and the Cape May Beach Patrol that protects the beach during summer, Cape May is a comfortable and safe place to sunbathe and spend time with loved ones. In addition to the beach’s swimming areas, there are designated beach areas with ideal conditions that allow thrill-seekers to surf, kayak, fish, and play volleyball freely.

When you’re done with your beach day and want to grab a bite, Cape May’s local restaurants serve top-notch food to locals and visitors alike. Looking for something savory? Head to Lucky Bones Back Water Grills, and order their locally renowned clam pizza. Craving something sweet? The raspberry truffle ice cream at Fine Fellows Creamistry can’t be beaten. And for a drink by the beach, head to Carney’s and grab a locally-sourced craft beer. If you’re planning on spending the night in Cape May, check-in at the ICONA Cape May or the Ocean Club Hotel, two stunning beachfront hotels that, according to past guests, offer large modern rooms and impeccable service.

Located near the community of Charlotte Harbor, Ponce De Leon Park is a community park that has an unnamed white sand beach.