In a world full of buzzing phones, crowded boardwalks, and noisy nightlife, finding a genuinely peaceful beach can feel like stumbling onto a secret paradise. Whether you're chasing solitude, a gentle breeze, or just want to hear yourself think, calm beaches are the unsung heroes of coastal travel.
To find out which U.S. beaches truly offer peace and quiet, researchers at McLuck analyzed nearly 250,000 TripAdvisor reviews for 158 beaches. Instead of focusing on surfing, dining, or popularity, they filtered for mentions of words like “calm,” “quiet,” and “relax.”
1. Holden Beach, North Carolina
Taking the top spot with 135 mentions of calmness out of all reviews, Holden Beach boasts a serenity score of 38.46%, the highest in the country. Its uncrowded sands, small-town charm, and strict limits on commercial development may explain why so many people find it a peaceful haven. It's a classic Carolina beach town where time seems to slow down with the tide.
2. Lewes Beach, Delaware
Lewes Beach ranks second, with 187 calmness mentions making up 34.5% of its reviews. Set at the meeting point of the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean, this spot is praised for being quiet, family-friendly, and refreshingly free of the party crowds that flock to bigger beach towns.
3. Cape Charles Beach, Virginia
With 157 reviews citing calmness (32.78% of total reviews), Cape Charles Beach is a Chesapeake Bay gem. Its protected waters and gentle waves make it ideal for kids and anyone seeking a low-key escape. Plus, the town’s historic charm and slow coastal pace add to the peaceful vibe.
4. Chic’s Beach, Virginia
Fourth place goes to Chic’s Beach, just outside the buzz of Virginia Beach. Nearly 29% of reviews call it calm or quiet. Locals often refer to it as a hidden gem, perfect for anyone who wants beach days without the crowds, parking chaos, or loud boardwalk noise.
5. Sandbridge Beach, Virginia
Virginia shows up again in fifth, thanks to Sandbridge Beach, where 421 mentions of tranquility make up 28.22% of all reviews. Despite being within driving distance of Virginia Beach proper, Sandbridge maintains a quieter atmosphere with vacation homes instead of high-rises and hotels.
6. Oak Island Beach, North Carolina
This North Carolina retreat lands in sixth with 26.64% of reviews praising its tranquility. Evening walks, lighthouse views, and long stretches of undeveloped shoreline make Oak Island a hit among serenity seekers, and its lesser-known status keeps it peaceful.
7. Sullivan’s Island Beach, South Carolina
With 25.45% of reviews highlighting its peaceful charm, Sullivan’s Island Beach edges into seventh. Located near Charleston, it offers calm waters, charming beach houses, and zero commercial clutter. There aren’t even hotels or big restaurants on the island.
8. Bethany Beach, Delaware
Eighth place goes to Bethany Beach, where 24.92% of reviewers described their visit as relaxing. While it's in a busy resort area, it has earned a reputation for being a more refined, family-friendly choice, with less nightlife, more nature.
9. St. Andrews Beach, Georgia
In ninth, Georgia’s St. Andrews Beach proves small can be mighty. With just a modest number of reviews, it still sees 24.31% of them mention calmness. Tucked away on Jekyll Island, this beach is known for its undisturbed natural setting and wildlife views.
10. Goose Rocks Beach, Maine
Rounding out the top 10 is Goose Rocks Beach in Kennebunkport, Maine, with 24.11% of reviews marking it as quiet. The white sands, dunes, and stunning views of the Goose Rocks Barrier Reef make it a peaceful Northern escape, even in peak summer.
Methodology
To find out which US beaches are the calmest, the study looked at around 250,000 guest reviews from TripAdvisor for 158 beaches across the country.
The team then calculated how often the words “calm,” “quiet,” and “relax” appeared in the reviews, ranking each beach by the percentage of reviews that mentioned these terms.
Source
TripAdvisor
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