If you’re looking for a beach getaway without having to travel too far from Philadelphia, then look no further. There are plenty of great beaches close to Philadelphia that will provide you with all the coastal scenery and relaxation you need. From pristine ocean views to sprawling sands, there is something for you. In this post, I’ve rounded up the 14 Best Beaches near Philadelphia. So pack your beach bag and sunscreen and get ready to hit the sand.
Best Beaches Near Philadelphia
1. Avalon, New Jersey
Avalon is my number one pick for the best beaches near Philadelphia. One of this beach’s biggest draws is its gorgeous views. On this beach, you can enjoy beautiful sunsets, which are very appealing to millions of visitors every year.
This beach is truly relaxing, with its long, wide stretch of white sand that is perfect for sunbathing. And if you’re an avid surfer, you will have an absolute blast here, with many spots ideal for surfing. Also, the beachfront restaurants are cozy places where you can go for dinner or have fun catching some live music in the evening hours.
I had an amazing experience visiting this beach for the first time. I loved how pristine and beautiful it looked, not to mention its accessibility which makes it very convenient. I definitely recommend you come here if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
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2. Asbury Park, New Jersey
Asbury Park is a seaside city in Monmouth County, New Jersey. It’s known as the home of the famous Stone Pony, where Bruce Springsteen got his start, but it also has a great downtown area and beaches. In fact, Asbury Park was voted “Best Beach” by New Jersey Monthly magazine in 2012. The water is calm here and perfect for kids to play in safely.
This city has a thriving beach scene, and you can find people visiting here from different walks of life. The boardwalk offers lots of opportunities to keep busy with plenty of shops and cafes to visit as well as concerts and other special events held there frequently. In terms of activities, you can enjoy boating, fishing, biking, or exploring off-road trails.
So, if you are looking for something more diverse during your time in New Jersey, I would suggest checking out this beach. It is beautiful, and the atmosphere is perfect for a relaxing day or an adventurous night.
3. Cape May, New Jersey
Cape May is a popular Jersey Shore destination due to its historic Victorian houses and picturesque beachfront. The city has many pretty homes made of pastel colors and unique architecture, which makes the scene really special.
Cape May’s beaches are great because they retain their natural beauty while having plenty of fun attractions nearby, such as amusement parks. You can take advantage of the boardwalk or simply sit back and enjoy the crashing waves on the shore during a romantic evening stroll. There are also many local shops and restaurants where you can spend time exploring after getting some sun at the beach.
I spent some time here exploring all around town and admiring all the different homes. I also enjoyed relaxing on the beach and enjoying the warm summer sun. I have to say that it is one of the most unique places I’ve seen in New Jersey. And if you are looking for the best beaches near Philadelphia, be sure to check out this town.
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4. Wildwood, New Jersey
Wildwood is known as “The World’s Playground” for its eclectic collection of amusements and attractions. Here you can enjoy all kinds of rides and games. There’s also a water park with high-speed water slides that are fun to ride when it’s hot out.
The beach itself is very impressive, and you can sunbathe on the wide expanse of soft sand. Or, you can relax under a canopy of beach umbrellas while taking in some rays. The beach is well-maintained and clean. However, because it’s so crowded, be prepared to fight your way through the crowds during peak seasons.
In addition, this beach has a higher concentration of bars and restaurants than other Jersey shore towns. The boardwalk here runs for over five miles long, and the central area is full of music, games, arcades, and great food.
5. Sea Isle City, New Jersey
If you are looking for the best beaches near Philadelphia, Sea Isle City should be your destination. This is a great town if you would like to have a small beach-town feel. The beachfront walkway in this town is lined with cafes and restaurants that overlook the sea, and you can spend hours just walking down it.
The long stretch of beach attracts locals and visitors alike during the summer months for its magnificent sunsets and picturesque views. While on your tour to Sea Isle City beaches, you can go surfing or simply relax on the shores watching the waves crash against the sand.
I visited the boardwalk and the bayfront areas, which were both restored recently. The renovations created a beautiful space that can be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. Besides beach access, there are hiking trails from the dunes down to the seashore, along with cafes, shops, and restaurants lining just about every street.
Read More: 14 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Pennsylvania
6. Ocean City, Maryland
The most famous of all the Jersey shore beaches, Ocean City, is a staple vacation destination for many people around the world. It’s known as both the Family Capital and the Fun Capital of the Jersey Shore.
Ocean City is known for its wide, unspoiled beach and sand dunes that line it. But the center of all activity is around 8th street, where the municipal music pier is located. The auditorium that sits on it hosts a large array of musical performances, including both well-known and new upcoming artists.
The city has an old school boardwalk that runs parallel to the beach and has several hotels, restaurants, shops, amusements parks, and nightclubs. On top of the shops and eateries, the boardwalk also offers many rides and games, as well as live concerts and events at night. So if you love shopping and entertainment, then this is definitely a place for you to go near Philadelphia.
Note that Ocean City is a family beach town and retains some conservative values. You will not be able to find any alcohol within the city’s borders; however, there are many bars and casinos just outside the city lines in West Ocean City.
7. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Rehoboth Beach is another of the most popular beaches near Philadelphia. This popular resort town attracts visitors from all over the country because it contains the widest and cleanest beaches in Delaware.
This amazing beach town has a mile of soft, white sand and clear blue water. It offers unique restaurants and ice cream parlors that make it one of the best places to go for a day trip from Philadelphia. The good thing is that there are lifeguards on duty, which is a big plus for this holidaymaker.
There is a boardwalk that offers plenty of shopping, restaurants, and nightlife to keep even the pickiest beachgoers happy. In addition, the city has been ranked as one of America’s most popular family vacation destinations. It is a place where you can go with friends to relax or bring the family to enjoy miles of beachfront activities from parasailing to boating.
I have to confess that my favorite thing here was walking along the town’s boardwalk and seeing all of the shops and cafes. There was so much to see and do here, and I plan to come back again for another vacation someday.
8. Bethany Beach, Delaware
Bethany Beach is another of the best beaches near Philadelphia, and it has a lot to offer. This beach offers lots of family activities, with plenty of attractions to appeal to adults as well. The location is known as having the best surfing conditions on Delaware’s coast, although it also has great views of Assateague Island and the Ocean City skyline.
This beach has clean white sand and rolling dunes that separate it from the boardwalk. I was impressed by how beautiful this beach looked, especially since there were no buildings obstructing my view of what could be a postcard picture. In addition to all of these, the beach also offers some fun possibilities for sports fans, such as kayaking and parasailing.
The beach also has an appealing mix of amenities for families. There are hotels situated along the boardwalk that offer water views from their rooms, shops spread out along the coastal roads, restaurants specializing in seafood dishes, ice cream parlors offering local flavors, and bars to relax at after a long day in the sun.
9. Brigantine Beach, New Jersey
Another great beach to visit near Philadelphia is Brigantine Beach. This destination offers the entire package: sand, surf, and sun. The beaches are wide and clean, with lots of sand for biking or taking walks on. You can also enjoy other activities like fishing, boating, jet-skiing, parasailing, surfing, volleyball, skating, and more.
You might be surprised to find that this area has some of the best restaurants in New Jersey. Almost all of them are owned by celebrity chefs who take advantage of the fresh seafood harvested from the ocean daily. Some even offer cooking classes where you can learn how to cook delicious meals using local ingredients.
One thing I really appreciate about Brigantine Beach is that this town has done a great job of protecting and rebuilding its beach. It’s an affordable and family-friendly place to spend your day. It was definitely one of my favorite places to visit during my trip.
10. Long Beach Island, New Jersey
Long Beach Island is one of the best places to go when you want to relax on a beautiful beach. If you feel like just sitting and enjoying the sun and waves, Long Beach Island is for you. The island itself has a relaxed environment and offers some great attractions that you won’t find anywhere.
This resort island includes 30 miles of beautiful beaches with soft sand and clear blue water. The bay is shallow and calm, ideal for families. There are several boardwalk areas full of stores and restaurants that serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner with great views of the ocean. And because this area is close to Philadelphia, it also offers plenty of hotels where you can spend your entire time right on the beach if you want.
11. Strathmere Beach
Strathmere beach is a hidden gem of New Jersey and is only a few hours’ drive from Philadelphia. It offers an unspoiled vibe with miles of soft sand and rolling dunes. The water here is crystal clear and perfect for those looking for swimming and sunbathing. The good thing about this small town is that it has a simple vibe that will allow you to take it easy all day long. There are plenty of other things to do besides just hanging out on the beach, including bird watching, kayaking, biking, surfing, and fishing.
Overall, this beach is perfect for those who want a more private experience while still being close to Philadelphia. There are only a few hotels in the area, but they offer beautiful water views.
12. Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey
Point Pleasant is a great destination for families looking for the best beaches near Philadelphia. There’s so much to do here, whether you are interested in water sports or just want to enjoy the sun and sand. It has a relaxed vibe, but sometimes can be too crowded to enjoy comfortably.
The majority of the people who come here are families, couples, or groups of friends. There are plenty of affordable food stands and ice cream shops for children. Adults, on the other hand, will find fun pubs on the boardwalk where they can hang out together late into the night.
13. Seaside Heights Beach, New Jersey
Seaside Heights is perhaps the best family beach town in South Jersey. The beach itself has a boardwalk and street lined with summer-style family restaurants and shops. There’s even an amusement park where children can enjoy themselves.
The ocean provides for great waves and amazing surfing, and the beautiful beaches provide a great place to relax and watch the ocean. The beach is also lined with pavilions that provide beach chairs and concessions like umbrellas, towels, cold drinks, etc. It has some amazing views, especially during sunset because of the wide stretch of golden sand that it fronts. The ocean here had more vibrant colors. I loved watching how it changed shades throughout the day.
I had an amazing time at this beach, and I can’t wait to go back again. There’s so much action packed into such a small area, and there’s no way you won’t make the most of your summer vacation here.
14. Dewey Beach, Delaware
For those looking for the best beaches near Philadelphia, Dewey Beach is a great place to consider. The beach is located in Delaware, and it’s one of the region’s biggest draws.
The beachfront is lined with bars and restaurants that are perfect for getting dinner or drinks after spending the day under the sun. In addition, this beach offers a large variety of things to do, including boardwalk amusements, golfing, biking, sightseeing tours by bus or boat, fishing from piers or jetties, scuba diving, and sailing.
I loved the wide-open spaces on this beach, making it great for those who want more room to spread out on the sand. This made me spend most of my time on the beach enjoying the beautiful weather and water. I would highly recommend coming here if you want to take part in the wild party scene that many young adults love.
In summary
All in all, each of these beaches near Philadelphia offers a unique experience and has its own style. From the party atmosphere to the more relaxed vibe, you’re sure to find your ideal taste. They also have some really great restaurants and bars along the boardwalk. So if you want to stay all night, be sure to check them out.