What is the nicest beach on the East Coast?

Picking the best beach on the eastern coastline of the United States? This could well be one of the most daunting tasks with so many beautiful beaches to choose from. Starting from the rocky shores of Maine to the sandy shores of Florida, the Atlantic coast is bordered by numerous beautiful shores spanning thousands of miles. However, after comparing all of them, I decided that Coast Guard Beach in Cape Cod, Massachusetts is the nicest beach the East Coast provides.

Location and Accessibility

A number of these beaches include Coast Guard Beach, which is situated in the Cape Cod National Seashore but is rather popular and readily accessible for tourists. So it is located several steps off Route 6 in a national park and therefore is not that far away from most places in New England. The available means of access to the site is by car since it has a huge parking space besides which there are few public transport terminating at the beach, especially during the summer seasons. Location within the Cape Cod National Seashore also enables one to access more walking trails, marshes, and other natural features after fully exploring the incredible beach.

Scenic Views

Further, the location of Coast Guard Beach is also marvelous and it provides a breathtaking view of the ocean which is not found in any other beach on the East Coast. To the north, you have gorgeous untouched dunes, which appear to stretch for miles and miles on end. To the east are the large waves of the Atlantic Ocean, which accumulate their energy from thousands of miles. And to the west visitors can watch surreal sunsets over the Cape Cod Bay every evening if planning to arrive there on time. This is seen in Coast Guard Beach where the views give you a direct feel of the region’s geographical endowment of Cape Cod.

Beach Characteristics

Besides beautiful landscapes, Coast Guard Beach features some other physical features that qualify it as an appropriate site to spend a day in summer. The beach has a sandy shore that stretches for over a mile with little to no break from large rocks or small coves and provides ample space to place down towels and chairs. It is a vast stretch of sand that is gradual with a slope leading to the ocean and therefore anyone who wants to swim in the cool Atlantic waters can do so without any problems because there are no steep waves or cliffs on this beach. For children, the submerged sand bars are ideal for body surfing and are good for frolicking in the swells. And at low tide areas of the sea bottom that are miles wide become accessible for examining rock pools.

Recreational Opportunities

From swimming to sun tanning going for a hike through the marsh, or even watching breathtaking views, people who visit the Coast Guard have several ways to entertain themselves by the water. The most prevalent leisure activity is surfing since Cahoon Hollow located just north of the beach frequently delivers good waves. The best surfers on the East Coast of the United States have been known to be caught riding the waves created by storms far from the shore. Other related activities include body surfing and boogie boarding, kayaking, and paddle boarding whereby visitors can have the feel of the ocean. For those who do not wish to go into the water, other activities such as playing beach volleyball, bocce ball or just taking a lovely walk barefoot along the shores are advisable to have a look at the beautiful sceneries. The Cape Cod clambake is one of the most traditional meals that could be devoured in a traditional setting and since it is at night, it is one amazing memory.

Nature and Wildlife

Indeed, Coast Guard Beach being situated in the Cape Cod National Seashore is not arbitrary – they are home to several species of coastal animals and plants. Seashore lovers can observe migratory shorebirds such as the sanderling or the sandpiper feeding on the tideline or playing in the foam of a surf zone during low tide. Piping plovers, some of the most defended shorebirds breed in the dunes during summer and feed their young ones on the beach. One can usually observe seals swimming near the surface of the water in search of fish, and at times fishermen may come across them. As for the wildflowers, the coastal grasses, beach plums, bayberry, and beach roses bloom on the sandy dunes above the beaches, as well as in the salt marshes behind the sand. Such observations and explorations serve to develop a completely natural environment through which the visitor can escape into the natural world.

A Cape Cod Gem

Taking all of these factors into account including being situated within a popular National Seashore, incredible topography, well-organized family-friendly shore, abundance of recreational facilities, and variety of flora and fauna, I can confidently say that Coast Guard Beach is my choice for the best beach on the East Coast. Add the factor of easy access and its seclusion despite the peacefulness and the archetypical New England-cutesy look of the place, and this is a barrier beach not worth passing up. There are little ways that give a person those timeless summer memories that last for a day, for a year, or a decade at the Coast Guard.

So, to sum up, I think if one has to choose one East Coast beach to visit, it must be Coast Guard Beach on the elbow of Cape Cod, and with good reason. Just try taking a swim in that water after feeling the sun on your skin and you’ll realise why no other coast can compare to that perfect natural beauty. Coast Guard Beach is one of the most endearing beaches of Cape Cod and the title of the nicest beach on the East Coast fits it perfectly.