One of the best parts of traveling is getting to discover new places. Sure, there are the well-known attractions you’ll find at the top of TripAdvisor’s “Things to Do” section, but there is plenty more out there—if you know where to look—and beaches are no exception.
Although in most coastal areas, it’s not difficult to find the water, it’s not always easy to find the best beach. Maybe there’s one that’s overrun with tourists, where vendors sell tiny bottles of water for $5. And then maybe there’s another one a few minutes down the road that has ample parking, far fewer people, and clean bathrooms. Clearly, that’s the beach you want.
Fortunately, there’s a website that can help you find the perfect beach, no matter what part of the world you’re visiting. Here’s what to know.
How to find the best beaches near you
Whether you’re looking find new beaches close to home, or want to explore somewhere you’re visiting for the first time, a website called Beach Nearby can help. Using crowdsourced data, Beach Nearby allows users to search via the name of a specific beach or location, or find beaches using an interactive map.
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Each beach included on the site has a profile page, with a mix of information and photos (depending on what people have contributed). In addition to providing a beach score out of 100, the profiles also include general tips and data, like whether the beach is rocky or sandy, whether it’s public or private, the admission fee (if any), and the date of the most recent rating.
The rest of the page walk users through the parking and/or public transit situation, safety features (like when a lifeguard is on duty), and information on the weather in the area. There’s also the option to search for beaches based on these (and other) features.
