Hawaiian bliss: Poipu Beach (Corel)

1. Shi Shi Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington One of the most remote wilderness beaches in the lower 48—it's a 13-mile hike from Olympic's Ozette River trailhead—these two miles of sand are studded with sea stacks, giant driftwood, and tidepools teeming with starfish.

2. Coronado Beach, San Diego, California Running along Ocean Boulevard, this wide, palm-lined strand is a great spot to set up a lawn chair, pop a lime in your Pacifico, and watch the pink-and-purple sun sink slowly into the sea.

3. Sanibel Island, Florida Periwinkles, whelks, calico scallops, and cockles abound on Sanibel, one of the best shelling grounds in the world.

4. Poipu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii Watch for monk seals, sea turtles, and loads of flashy fish at Hawaii's premier snorkeling spot.

5. Cape Hatteras, North Carolina Some of the best windsurfing, fishing, crabbing, clamming, and sand dunes on the East Coast can be found here.

6. Jasper Beach, Machiasport, Maine You'll find bald eagles, sandpipers, and puffins at this bird-watching hot spot. 7. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan Enormous sand dunes hundreds of feet high provide spectacular views across Lake Michigan.

8. Agate Beach, Patrick's Point State Park, California Search for petrified wood, agates, coastal jade, and other semiprecious stones.

9. Bandon Beach, Oregon Rent a cabin for the night and watch the clouds gather at the storm-watching capital of the United States.

10. Barking Sands Beach, Kauai, Hawaii Welcome to the world's noisiest beach, where the sand squeaks with every step you take.

The Sweetest Beaches | The Cleanest Lake | The Wild-Water Life List

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