If your idea of a beach consists of long shorelines and lines of people sunbathing, get ready to change it upon visiting Alaska. It truly redefines the image of a beach, taking tourists by surprise. The top Alaska beaches are quiet and give spectacular views of giant glaciers and mountains. In them, the sands change colours as you walk in and out. Are you intrigued by this description? If so, then your travel list should include one of the following Alaska beaches:
Best Alaska Beaches You Must Visit
1. Whittier Beach
Whittier, tucked between glaciers and scenic mountains, offers you entry to the stunning seaside town of Prince William Sound. At the head of the Passage Canal, just off the road to this seaside town, is Whitter Beach. It’s a gravel beach and the only one accessible by road to Western Prince William Sound. If you wish to experience the unique ecosystem, such as snow-clad peaks, ginormous kittiwake rookery, harbour seals, and sea lions, a visit here should be on your list. Besides, there are several interesting things you can do in Whittier. The popular ones include taking a day cruise, sea kayaking, and exploring the various hiking trails.
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2. Nome Beach
Remember the historic Gold Rush of 1899? Nome Beach was a destination for frenzied activity as more and more people found hunks of gold there. Today, this beach is a top spot in Alaska for recreational mining. Temporary camps by amateur miners on long summer days are a frequent sight on this beach. However, it is a great place for many other things. One of the marvels of the place occurs in late fall when the ocean transforms into a huge pack of ice. Birds flock on the beautiful beach sands in late May, a sight to behold. The natives explore the beach for driftwood and sea glass to design jewellery. You can see them building bonfires and admiring the sun setting elegantly over the Bering Sea. You can browse through the gift shops or take a self-guided tour here.
3. Summer Bay
Summer Beach in Unalaska is a sweeping black sand beach. It’s one of the best Alaska beaches to view massive dunes and enjoy breathtaking views. The beach never loses its charm anytime during the year. You can explore it anytime, fish salmon, organize a fun picnic and beach comb, and meet the small band of feral horses. The place is culturally rich for the Indigenous Unangax communities. According to archaeological findings, the shallow bay was used by the Unangans as a fish camp during the summers. Evidence in the form of decorative bone and ivory pendants, grinding stones, and blades decorate the displays at the Museum of the Aleutians.
4. Mariner Park Beach
Are you a surger, bird gazer, or just someone who loves to enjoy pretty views? Mariner Park Beach, at the base of Homer Spit, will be a great place to visit. The 111-acre beach is frequented by fat tyre bikers, joggers, fossil searchers, coal collectors, horseback riders, kitesurfing, boulderers, and beachcombers. You can drive into any of the 34 campsites available between April 1st and October 31st. It’s a great beach in Alaska to camp and spend the day beach combing. In addition, you can visit the shops and explore the wonders of the little place with your loved ones.
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5. Boy Scout Beach
Are you dreaming about a beach with fewer crowds and an alluring aura of remoteness? Boy Scout Beach in Juneau will be worth a try. You will discover this beautiful and serene beach after a 2-mile hike along the Herbert River. It is situated at the 25 ‘Out the Road’ north of Auke Bay. The place is rarely crowded but also offers the opportunity for a spontaneous afternoon trip. Boy Scout Beach is a great camping spot. It’ll please nature lovers to the utmost with the captivating views of both the Chilkat and Coastal ranges. The sights of abundant wildlife, bald eagles, seals, and sea lions make the beach more interesting.
6. Lowell Point Beach
2.5 miles from Seward lies Lowell Point Beach. This small beach on the Kenai Peninsula is an ideal getaway for those who want to spend quiet time watching nature. Seeing sea otters floating and white sea lions playing will make you feel relaxed. Lowell Point is a state recreation site that ends at North Beach. The 4.5-mile coastal trail leading to the recreation site becomes a great visiting place during low tide as a part of it can be hiked during that time.
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7. Kenai Beach
Kenai is hands down one of the topmost Alaska beaches for gorgeous views and having a day full of fun. You can visit it for fishing, to admire the surrounding scenery, and sunset, or just for simple strolls to decompress. Drive along on your 4X4s or search for agates on low tide, the choice is yours. For those seeking to be a part of some gathering, the beach is a scenic place for picnics, friends or family reunions, or even a beach party! Situated on the lower Cook Inlet, Kenai Beach offers dramatic inlet views and that of the Aleutian Mountain Range. This beach, with its dark sands and exceptional rocks, is open all year round.
8. Bishop’s Beach
Tide-pooling, dog-walking, and coal gathering. If you want to visit a place that lets you engage in these activities, consider Bisho’s Beach. Located outside Homer, the beach is a 1.25-mile-long peninsula that protrudes into the Kachemak Bay. Some popular and much-loved ways of spending a day here include exploring tide pools and seeing jellyfish and crabs, beachcombing, and hiking at the Beluga Slough Trail. The Slough Trail is a 1.2-mile scenic trail loop hosted by Bishop’s Beach Park. The hike gives you exquisite views of the Homer. It is best done between May and October.
9. Kasilof River Beach
Kasilof River Beach, at the mouth of the Kasirof River, is a great place for activities like sightseeing, beachcombing, and wildlife viewing. It’s also a stunning, intimate setting for camping. Kasilof Beach is also a popular destination for dip-netting, which the Alaskans love doing between June and August. Fishing can be enjoyed all summer long, and the beach also has several RV parks, gas stations, and even grocery stores in close proximity. Visiting this beach is like getting transported to old-time Alaska. The river mouth has dunes, salt marshes, and mud flats at low tide. For a serene experience, visit the beach from September to December or the early part of the year before June.
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10. Rotary Beach
Seekers of public beaches in Alaska will find Rotary Beach to be the perfect place. It has all the amenities like public restrooms, a picnic area, and a tidal pool. The beach is also a popular hangout for children in Ketchikan who want to learn to swim. The sandy/rocky beach, also called Bugge Beach after Martin Bugge, the original owner of the beach, offers astounding views overlooking Nichol’s Passage. The tide pools teem with octopi, anemones, and sea urchins. You will love the experience of tide pooling or a picnic with your family here.
11. Eagle Beach
Eagle Beach is not very far away from Alaska’s capital. It is one of the popular Alaska beaches for a day trip. The place gives you many chances to spot wildlife, such as fishing bears, eagles, and sea lions. An overnight stay at one of the 26 primitive camping sites or a public-use cabin will prove to be memorable. The beach, just like its name, has lots of eagles. If you want to get the best views of the mountains, stay at the Saturday Creek cabin, as it is nearest to the mouth of the river.
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12. Fossil Beach
No list of Alaska beaches can fail to miss the Fossil Beach. It is a remote beach on the eastern side of Kodiak Island with awe-inspiring scenery. Bordered by immense cliffs, it is at the mouth of a river that drains Twin Lakes. The beach is accessible at low tide, allowing you to explore the place thoroughly. You can discover some plant fossils in the muddy shale of the cliffs. This beach is truly synonymous with a treasure hunt place where you can find many interesting things. From fossils entombed in sandstone to scraggly bison, the beach is truly marvellous.
Final Thoughts
Alaska’s shoreline is more than that of Florida, California, and Hawaii combined. It’s the reason why there are innumerable accessible Alaska beaches here. From rugged ones to classic sandy beaches with many activities, you will love all that they offer. It’s time to plan the perfect beach vacation and have the time of your life fishing, picnicking, or just soaking up the warm golden sun.
