What is the best beach in New Hampshire?

Although New Hampshire is primarily a landlocked state marked with mountains and forests, it does have a decent amount of beach frontage as well. New Hampshire has beautiful beaches with soft sand, gentle waves, and stunning views, and bearing in mind that most of the beaches provide special services and facilities for families, swimming, sunbathing or simply taking a snap of fresh sea air is always a pleasure.

If you're looking for the best beaches New Hampshire has to offer, here are some of our top picks: If you're looking for the best beaches New Hampshire has to offer, here are some of our top picks:

Hampton Beach State Park
Perhaps the most renowned beach in New Hampshire, Hampton Beach is an ideal summer playground on the 18-mile New Hampshire coastline. The coast is broad and sandy in some areas so there is enough space to sunbathe during summer seasons. There are restaurants, game centers, places for entertainment, and even shopping nearby mainly on the boardwalk where you can find a lot to look at when you are tired of the watery scenery. Often associated with summer festivals and shows, the overall atmosphere in Hampton Beach during the summer months is rather festive and energetic.

Rye Beach
If one is not really into the activities mentioned above and just wants to have a relaxed day at the beach, Rye Beach is perfect for this purpose. The beach is laid in a crescent form and as compared to some of the bigger beaches in the region the waves here are relatively small and the atmosphere more secluded. Though the crowds make it difficult to take a swim or walk on the shore, build sandcastles, sunbathe, or simply watch the ocean, Rye Beach provides an opportunity to do all these activities in a comparatively less crowded area. Another benefit of living in the town of Rye is that like many other towns, it has a beautiful coastline with parks and nature reserves lying near the beach.

Wallis Sands State Park
The Wallis Sands State Park is one of the biggest beaches in the Seacoast region on the state’s northeastern coast. Measuring more than 1,700 feet of shoreline, Wallis Sands is spacious enough to host many people. Lifeguards are available during summer; therefore, swimming is safe for people. There are watersports rental services provided to visitors, where one can hire kayaks, paddleboards, and boogie boards. If hunger strikes during the day, the on-site bathhouses provide guests with food and drinks in the form of snacks and concessions. Later in the evening, catch movies on the beach for free every weekend till summer begins.

North Beach
The scenic waters that surround the area of North Beach have been a favorite among many people who live in the Seacoast region for several decades. North Beach is nestled in the otherwise pastoral town of North Hampton, which is right on the coast. In addition to the friendly coastline for families, North Beach has a picturesque coastline and a maritime forest, sandy dunes, tidal pools, and a wildlife refuge area just near the beach area. Just sit back and relax on the soft sandy shores with beautiful views of the Isle of Shoals in the distance from the ocean.

Jenness State Beach
Another chief beaching site on the New Hampshire Atlantic coast is another coastal site aptly named Jenness State Beach. The beach is completely secluded and there are small areas of the beach that contain these small pavilions that offer shade and a bit of a break from the sun for those of us who perhaps are more sensitive to the rays. The waves that the beach has, the shore break, and the gradient of the beach is also relatively shallow meaning that swimming at the beach is relatively easy and therefore is best suited for beginners. Situated near Rye Harbor State Park, one can go to shore where the rocks and the saltwater marshes are after enjoying the sun at Jenness Beach.

New Hampshire may not have a very long coastline, and some of the beaches could be rocky, but it is not very far from some gorgeous stretches of sand. Those who prefer crowded resort shores will find a place to rest on the Hampton beach area, while lovers of secluded Hideaway beaches will not stay unsatisfied either. It's a great day to relax by the shore to take in the views of the ocean or just walk barefoot in the sand which are distinct features of New Hampshire’s best beaches. All you need to remember is your beach tag – they are obligatory at all state park beaches from the end of May to the beginning of September!