Sometimes the best way to relax and unwind is to spend a day at the beach. The beach activities options are endless: you can relax in the sun, play beach sports, or even take a dip in the ocean. If you want your day to be fully enjoyable, make sure to choose a beach with a nice landscape and good facilities. Luckily, that’s not a problem in Maryland. This state has a gorgeous coastline and many amazing beaches to choose from. To help you decide on your next beach trip destination, we’ve put together this list of the best beaches in Maryland.
1. Ocean City
Probably the most popular beach in Maryland, Ocean City Beach stretches for 10 miles along the Atlantic Ocean coast. This beach is perfect for families, as it offers a variety of different activities. Apart from swimming, you can try out surfing, canoeing, or kayaking.
Once you’re tired of beach activities, you can take a walk along the 3-mile-long boardwalk. There are plenty of shops, restaurants, and even amusement park rides to explore. Apart from the regular entertainment facilities, Ocean City Beach is a host to many special events. If you’re new to the area, moving pros at Helix Transfer & Storage Maryland suggest hitting Ocean City Beach in early August. This is when White Marlin Open fishing tournament is held, and it’s a great opportunity to enjoy warm summer days and meet new people.
2. Sandy Point State Park
Annapolis-based folks will love this beautiful park that’s only a mere 20-minute ride away from the city center. Located in the western part of Chesapeake Bay, it has all the necessary facilities for a day trip to the beach. The beach itself is open year-long, however, lifeguards are on duty only during the summer months. There is also a marina and boats for rent, so you can spend some part of your day on the water.
The park has designated picnic areas and concession stands where you can buy snacks or drinks. There is also a campsite in case you want to further connect with nature. Just make sure to check all the camping rules beforehand to ensure that there are no surprises.
3. Matapeake Beach
Kent Island is home to some of the best beaches in Maryland, and Matapeake Beach is definitely one of them. It’s located on the eastern side of Chesapeake Bay, with stunning views of the Bay Bridge. You can enjoy swimming and sunbathing all summer long. The water in the bay is relatively calm, so this beach is also perfect for paddleboarding and kayaking.
Apart from the beach facilities, the area features an open-air amphitheater as well as a 1-mile walking trail. Furthermore, this is one of the few beaches that are dog-friendly, so your furry friend will also be able to enjoy it. With all these fun activities available, Matapeake Beach is the perfect place to relax after a stressful period like moving. Browsing through different moving services options can be tiresome. Once you find what works best for you, you should enjoy some well-deserved rest at the beach.
4. Calvert Cliffs State Park
This lovely beach that’s also located in the Chesapeake Bay is unique in many ways. It owes its name to picturesque cliffs that stretch over 24 miles of sandy shoreline. There are some basic facilities like portable toilets and picnic tables. However, there are no grills or water sources, so make sure to bring those with you. Also, there’s no lifeguard on duty, so swimming’s at your own risk. Still, that shouldn’t be an issue as the water in the bay is pretty shallow and still.
Apart from enjoying the long, sandy beach, you can also follow one of many hiking trails that lead to the cliffs. Another thing that makes visiting this beach a one-of-a-kind experience is the variety of fossils you can find. So far, fossilized remainings of over 600 different species have been found here. Scavenging for fossils is a great family activity that everyone is guaranteed to enjoy.
5. Breezy Point Beach
Breezy Point Beach is famous for its beautiful, light-beige sand. It’s located a bit more than an hour away from Washington DC, making it a perfect weekend getaway. While it’s not as long as some of the beaches on this list, it’s not any less fun to visit. You can enjoy amazing views of the Chesapeake Bay while participating in fun beach activities. There is a netted swimming area, which makes this beach very family-friendly. Also, if fishing’s your thing, there’s a 200-foot-long pier for that.
If you want to stay for more than a day, there’s a campsite which allows both tents and RVs. The campsite is open from May to October, and during busy weekends you should reserve your spot ahead of time. Also, keep in mind that the beach sometimes reaches full capacity. If that happens, you could be denied entry, so make sure you arrive early.
6. Assateague Island National Seashore
If you love the ocean and want to feel close to nature and wildlife, this is the beach for you. Assateague Island is an island off the shore of Maryland and Virginia. The beach itself makes up about two miles of shore, so there’s definitely space for everyone who decides to visit. Assateague Island is most famous for its wild horses who roam the area freely. You can even see them on the beach, as they’re usually not afraid of humans.
Swimming in the ocean is one of the best things this beach has to offer. You can also give fishing a try, or just lay down and relax in the sun. The island has plenty of hiking trails where you can enjoy its landscape and get familiar with the wildlife. Don’t get surprised if you come across a fox or a deer on your journey around the island!
Conclusion
With so many amazing options available, choosing the best beaches in Maryland wasn’t an easy task. Every one of them has something that makes it special and unique. Doing your research beforehand is a good way to choose the best option for your day trip or a weekend getaway. Get familiar with the facilities, opening hours, and general rules. Once you do that, the only thing left is to enjoy your beach trip!