Discover Hidden Gem Beaches
August 30, 2022
Everyone loves a beach vacation! You get to trade the morning commute for a beach cruiser, business attire for flip-flops, and back-to-back zoom calls with quality family bonding time on the beach. Beach destinations are the #1 choice for travelers when planning a vacation – everyone loves the beach, but not the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds and rowdy revelers.
If you’re planning a beach vacation and looking to escape the hordes of beachgoers, it’s still possible to find a hidden beach off the busy tourist trail – even in the top beach destinations in the US! Our favorite hidden gem beaches and beach activities take you off the beaten path, away from the crowds, and into nature, seclusion, and serenity.
Fort Myers Beach, Florida
Situated on the Gulf Coast of Southwest Florida, Fort Myers Beach is one of TripAdvisor’s Top Trending Destinations for 2022 for a relaxing beach getaway. This idyllic stretch of coastline boasts quaint beach towns with a laid-back coastal vibe, miles of squeaky white sands sloping gently into clear Gulf of Mexico waters, and beautiful barrier islands for island hopping and beachcombing.
Experience marine life on an eco cruise!
The beaches of Fort Myers Island run from Bunche Beach and Bowditch Park on San Carlos Bay at the northern tip of Estero Island, through the bustling beaches at Times Square and the Fishing Pier, and down to the remote and secluded shoreline of our favorite hidden gem beach, Lovers Key State Park.
Lovers Key State Park encompasses 712 acres on the southern end of Fort Myers Beach with four barrier islands, tidal lagoons, and 2-miles of breathtaking Gulf of Mexico shoreline, listed among the top Florida beaches by Travel Channel. Soak up the sun, dip in the water, kayak the waterways, or pack the binoculars and head out birdwatching and wildlife spotting on miles of unspoiled trails.
From eco-friendly adventures on the waterways to thrilling jet skiing and parasailing experiences, there’s no shortage of water sports and activities on the beaches of Fort Myers. One of our top-rated tours is the Dolphin Nature Cruise with our Xplorie activity partner, the award-winning Banana Bay Tour Company.
Book your Fort Myers Beach vacation with ITrip Vacations and get the added bonus of a wide range of free Xplorie tours and activities including a choice of Banana Bay eco-tours to cruise the rivers, bays, and barrier islands and encounter dolphins in the wild.
Fort Myers Beach is a blast!
Hilton Head, South Carolina
Nestled on the southern tip of South Carolina’s Atlantic Coastline, Hilton Head Island ranks as the Top Island in the Continental US and is home to 12 miles of gorgeous sandy beaches, pristine nature preserves, and world-class resort amenities for vacationers.
On Hilton Head Island, there’s a stretch of sand for every sun lover! Join the crowds at the award-winning Coligny Beach Park or head to the quiet seclusion of the less touristy and beautiful natural beaches north of Palmetto Dunes.
Our favorite hidden gem beach on Hilton Head is Mitchelville Beach Park near Port Royal, the most natural beach on the island and by far the most secluded. A shaded dirt trail leads down to a secret deserted beach with quiet inlets, sandy spots with seashells and shark teeth, and sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean. For the best beach experience and a sandy spot, be sure to visit at low tide. Mitchelville Beach Park is one of the best-kept secrets in South Carolina!
You’ll find serenity on Hilton Head Island
There’s no shortage of dolphins in Hilton Head!
Hilton Head Island also ranks as one of the “10 Best Dolphin Sighting Destinations in North America”. With a large population of year-round resident dolphins, dolphin encounters are a given and guaranteed on a Hilton Head Island Dolphin Cruise & Nature Tour. Yes, wild Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin encounters are guaranteed on every tour!
Add a FREE dolphin cruise (and other top Hilton Head tours and activities) to your vacation when you stay with our Xplorie partner, Beach Properties of Hilton Head. With a selection of nearly 400 vacation rentals on Hilton Head Island, the perfect beach getaway awaits.
O’ahu, Hawaii
From the beautiful barrier islands of South Carolina to the tropical islands of Hawaii. The beaches of O’ahu are hardly a secret! The world-renowned Waikiki Beach and iconic Diamond Head Crater attract thousands of locals and tourists daily – but it’s easy to escape the urban vibe and crowds on O’ahu.
Beautiful Ko Olina beach
The island of O’ahu has 112 miles of beautiful coastline and is full of hidden gems. Hanauma Bay and Halona Cove Beach, aka Eternity Beach, are popular escapes from the crowds of Waikiki, but our favorite hidden gem beach has to be Ko Olina Beach and Lagoons on the southwestern tip of O’ahu.
Ranked one of the top beaches in O’ahu, Ko Olina Beach is in a tranquil tropical setting far away from the hustle and bustle of Honolulu and Waikiki. Four man-made lagoons line the oceanfront with calm protected waters for swimming, sun-drenched beaches, swaying palms, and the best sunsets on the island – Ko Olina is as tropical as it gets!
Recently featured on Forbes, our Xplorie activity partner Trident Adventures is owned and operated by former US Navy SEALs and offers unique experiences you won’t find anywhere else on the Hawaii Islands. Trident Adventures are the only helicopter tour company in the US approved by the FAA for helo casting (jumping into the ocean from a helicopter) – their youngest jumper is 4 years … the oldest 84!
Stay with our Xplorie lodging partner, Ola Properties, and spend a day with a US Navy SEAL for FREE! Experience a dream-worthy mermaid swim with the kids, snorkel with dolphins, sea turtles, and tropical marine life, dive with a US Navy SEAL, or venture out on a next-level snorkeling experience on a water scooter.
Scuba dive with sea turtles!
That’s only the beginning! Spend your vacation in any of our participating Xplorie properties and enjoy exclusive offers and FREE tickets to popular tourist attractions, the best local tours, and unique destination activities for EVERY day of your stay. An Xplorie vacation is the ultimate way to experience the best of a destination.
