by Jessica PawlParents get it. While any beach can serve as an afternoon paradise, it takes a special blend of scenery, sand and amenities to make it stand apart as a great option for families. With that in mind, I’ve rounded up five of my absolute favorite family beaches that not only meet my picky criteria but also fall into the “entirely unexpected” category.
Our favorite underrated and totally unexpected best beaches for families really span the gamut. We’ve got lobster rolls, cliffs and turtles to get to, so let’s go!
Best Family Beaches
Odeceixe, Portugal
At the bottom of a small hillside town in Portugal, you’ll find this far-reaching and shallow beach that stretches alongside a dramatic cliff on one side. Depending on the tide, the water line fluctuates drastically, but at points in the day, a lazy river develops, wrapping around most of the beach and becoming the perfect place for littles to splash about. (Careful, there’s a nude beach nearby, so know where you’re going!)
Ogunquit, Maine
Set against an idyllic east coast town, this expansive beach is a dream, with easily packed sand that will have you not only inspired to run circles and dance around, but trace names and shapes till your heart’s content. Most appealing, perhaps, is the stroller-friendly cliff walk called Marginal Way that originates just off the beach. On it, you can leisurely stroll past straight-out-of-a-magazine seafront homes before ending your day with a lobster roll from Footbridge Lobster.
Sauble Beach, Ontario, Canada
The second longest freshwater beach in the world, this is one lengthy stretch of sand. We love that you can usually find parking all along it, making it easy to lug all of the gear that families need and also seek out a space to yourself, farther from the town-center crowds. After a day in the sun, you can mosey into the adorable town that anchors it—Sauble Beach—where you’ll find the retro gem,, from Netflix’s Motel Makeover.
Poipu Beach Park, Kauai, Hawaii
Of course, any Hawaii beach is a dream, but this one stands apart for a few reasons. First, it’s tucked in a largely residential area of Kauai, making it a lovely respite that doesn’t feel overly trampled by tourists. Secondly, it offers a lifeguard on duty—a rarity on the islands! And third, it’s where you’ll find seals and sea turtles making their way to shore each evening to sleep, well protected by volunteers who rope off their areas as they arrive. Naturally, you’ll find shave ice nearby as well as the area’s legendary “puka dogs!”
Baska Voda, Croatia
Lined with cafes and shops, this stone beach is beyond charming, looking out onto a crystal clear sea, with mountains framing the skyline behind it. Our kids loved playing with the stones and splashing in water that was some of the clearest I’ve seen. And we were all appreciative to stroll the town and stop into one of the beachside cafes for a cold drink and bite before settling in for a sunset swim.
