203 beaches

Best Beaches for Wildlife-Watching Beaches

Maryland beaches are productive wildlife spots year-round, and the species shift with the seasons. Assateague's wild ponies are the headline, but the island also hosts migratory shorebirds in spring and fall that draw serious birders. Fort Smallwood has a famous hawk watch every autumn with thousands of raptors counted. Terrapin Beach and Flag Ponds are both known for osprey, eagles, and tidal-marsh species. For fossil hunting (counting it as wildlife-adjacent), Calvert Cliffs and Flag Ponds are the stars.

What to look for

Binoculars, a good tide (low tide exposes mudflats where waders feed), and early mornings. Migration peaks in April-May and September-October.

Ranked by Today's Conditions

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Beach

Accomack County, VA
86

Ideal for swimming.

76°F water 72°F air 7 mph wind

New Germany State Park

Garrett County, MD
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

73°F air 7 mph wind

Cunningham Falls State Park (Hunting Creek Lake)

Frederick County, MD
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

78°F air 5 mph wind

Trap Pond State Park

Sussex County, DE
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

82°F air 5 mph wind

Killens Pond State Park

Kent County, DE
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

82°F air 5 mph wind

Jennings Randolph Lake — Shaw Beach

Mineral County, WV
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

79°F air 6 mph wind

Pine Grove Furnace State Park

Cumberland County, PA
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

80°F air 3 mph wind

Parker Dam State Park

Clearfield County, PA
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

81°F air 5 mph wind

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Virginia Beach County, VA
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

72°F air 6 mph wind

Big Beach (Makena State Park)

Maui County, HI
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

83°F air 3 mph wind

Kaunaoa Beach (Mauna Kea Beach)

Hawaii County, HI
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

84°F air 2 to 7 mph wind

Presque Isle Park (Marquette)

Marquette County, MI
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

79°F air 5 mph wind

Maumee Bay State Park

Lucas County, OH
85

Ideal for a beach walk.

74°F air 7 mph wind

Elk Neck State Park

Cecil County, MD
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

71°F water 82°F air 3 mph wind

Fort Smallwood Park

Anne Arundel County, MD
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

69°F water 80°F air 6 mph wind

Mayo Beach Park

Anne Arundel County, MD
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

74°F water 73°F air 6 mph wind

Beverly Triton Nature Park

Anne Arundel County, MD
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

74°F water 77°F air 5 mph wind

Flag Ponds Nature Park

Calvert County, MD
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

71°F water 83°F air 7 mph wind

Terrapin Nature Area & Beach

Queen Annes County, MD
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

74°F water 77°F air 5 mph wind

Hart-Miller Island State Park

Baltimore County, MD
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

69°F water 78°F air 6 mph wind

Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge

Kent County, MD
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

71°F water 79°F air 5 mph wind

Janes Island State Park

Somerset County, MD
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

72°F water 77°F air 7 mph wind

North Point State Park

Baltimore County, MD
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

69°F water 76°F air 7 mph wind

Martinak State Park

Caroline County, MD
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

72°F water 83°F air 5 mph wind

Kiptopeke State Park

Northampton County, VA
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

71°F water 73°F air 7 mph wind

Savage Neck Dunes Natural Area

Northampton County, VA
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

71°F water 74°F air 6 mph wind

Westmoreland State Park

Westmoreland County, VA
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

74°F water 81°F air 7 mph wind

Belle Isle State Park

Lancaster County, VA
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

74°F water 81°F air 7 mph wind

Deal Island Wildlife Management Area

Somerset County, MD
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

72°F water 76°F air 7 mph wind

Mariner Point Park

Harford County, MD
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

71°F water 81°F air 3 mph wind

Franklin Point State Park

Anne Arundel County, MD
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

74°F water 75°F air 6 mph wind

Elms Beach Park

St. Mary's County, MD
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

74°F water 81°F air 7 mph wind

Piney Point Lighthouse Museum & Historic Park

St. Mary's County, MD
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

74°F water 78°F air 7 mph wind

Purse State Park

Charles County, MD
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

74°F water 76°F air 6 mph wind

Friendship Farm Park

Charles County, MD
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

74°F water 82°F air 6 mph wind

Chapman State Park

Charles County, MD
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

70°F water 77°F air 6 mph wind

Ferry Point Park

Queen Anne's County, MD
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

74°F water 78°F air 5 mph wind

Chapel Point State Park

Charles County, MD
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

74°F water 81°F air 6 mph wind

Crane Beach

Essex County, MA
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

76°F air 9 mph wind

Coast Guard Beach

Barnstable County, MA
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

77°F air 8 mph wind

Grayton Beach State Park

Walton County, FL
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

84°F air 10 mph wind

St. George Island

Franklin County, FL
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

83°F air 15 mph wind

Padre Island National Seashore

Kleberg County, TX
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

83°F air 12 mph wind

Lanikai Beach

Honolulu County, HI
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

78°F air 17 mph wind

Punaluu Black Sand Beach

Hawaii County, HI
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

78°F air 16 mph wind

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Leelanau County, MI
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

73°F air 10 mph wind

Indiana Dunes National Park

Porter County, IN
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

77°F air 10 mph wind

Boca Chica Beach

Cameron County, TX
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

82°F air 13 mph wind

Sandy Point State Reservation (Plum Island)

Essex County, MA
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

76°F air 9 mph wind

Sandy Neck Beach Park

Barnstable County, MA
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

75°F air 8 mph wind

Topsail Beach

Pender County, NC
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

78°F air 14 mph wind

Holden Beach

Brunswick County, NC
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

80°F air 9 mph wind

Sunset Beach

Brunswick County, NC
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

76°F air 12 mph wind

Edisto Beach State Park

Colleton County, SC
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

80°F air 14 mph wind

Cumberland Island National Seashore

Camden County, GA
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

79°F air 17 mph wind

Anaehoomalu Bay (A-Bay)

Hawaii County, HI
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

86°F air 12 mph wind

Tawas Point State Park

Iosco County, MI
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

83°F air 15 mph wind

63rd Street Beach (Chicago)

Cook County, IL
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

72°F air 10 mph wind

Marquette Park Beach (Gary, Miller Beach)

Lake County, IN
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

77°F air 10 mph wind

Hamlin Beach State Park

Monroe County, NY
84

Ideal for a beach walk.

73°F air 8 mph wind

Calvert Cliffs State Park

Calvert County, MD
82

Ideal for a beach walk.

71°F water 82°F air 8 mph wind

Point Lookout State Park

St Mary's County, MD
82

Ideal for a beach walk.

71°F water 75°F air 8 mph wind

Cape Henlopen State Park

Sussex County, DE
82

Ideal for a beach walk.

68°F water 74°F air 10 mph wind

Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum

Calvert County, MD
82

Ideal for a beach walk.

71°F water 79°F air 8 mph wind

Myrtle Point Park

St. Mary's County, MD
82

Ideal for a beach walk.

71°F water 75°F air 8 mph wind

Greenwell State Park

St. Mary's County, MD
82

Ideal for a beach walk.

71°F water 78°F air 8 mph wind

Broadkill Beach

Sussex County, DE
82

Ideal for a beach walk.

68°F water 76°F air 10 mph wind

Slaughter Beach

Sussex County, DE
82

Ideal for a beach walk.

68°F water 76°F air 10 mph wind

Prime Hook NWR — Fowler Beach

Sussex County, DE
82

Ideal for a beach walk.

68°F water 77°F air 10 mph wind

Pickering Beach

Kent County, DE
82

Ideal for a beach walk.

69°F water 76°F air 10 mph wind

Kitts Hummock Beach

Kent County, DE
82

Ideal for a beach walk.

69°F water 78°F air 10 mph wind

Big Stone Beach

Kent County, DE
82

Ideal for a beach walk.

68°F water 74°F air 10 mph wind

Woodland Beach Wildlife Area

Kent County, DE
82

Ideal for a beach walk.

69°F water 79°F air 10 mph wind

Port Mahon

Kent County, DE
82

Ideal for a beach walk.

69°F water 76°F air 10 mph wind

Sandy Hook (Gateway NRA)

Monmouth County, NJ
82

Ideal for a beach walk.

69°F water 75°F air 15 mph wind

Fortescue

Cumberland County, NJ
82

Ideal for a beach walk.

69°F water 81°F air 10 mph wind

Gandy's Beach

Cumberland County, NJ
82

Ideal for a beach walk.

69°F water 78°F air 10 mph wind

South Padre Island Beach

Cameron County, TX
81

Great day for a beach walk.

85°F water 85°F air 12 mph wind

Vero Beach

Indian River County, FL
78

Great day for photography.

81°F air 15 mph wind

Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge

Baldwin County, AL
78

Great day for photography.

85°F air 15 mph wind

Assateague State Park

Worcester County, MD
77

Ideal for a beach walk.

66°F water 74°F air 7 mph wind

Brigantine

Atlantic County, NJ
77

Ideal for a beach walk.

61°F water 76°F air 5 mph wind

Stone Harbor

Cape May County, NJ
77

Ideal for a beach walk.

67°F water 74°F air 5 mph wind

Cape May

Cape May County, NJ
77

Ideal for a beach walk.

67°F water 76°F air 5 mph wind

Cape May Point State Park

Cape May County, NJ
77

Ideal for a beach walk.

67°F water 76°F air 5 mph wind

Villas

Cape May County, NJ
77

Ideal for a beach walk.

67°F water 78°F air 5 mph wind

Sunken Meadow State Park

Suffolk County, NY
77

Ideal for a beach walk.

60°F water 82°F air 6 mph wind

Pismo Beach

San Luis Obispo County, CA
77

Great day for a beach walk.

West Ship Island

Harrison County, MS
77

Great day for a beach walk.

Whitefish Dunes State Park

Door County, WI
77

Great day for a beach walk.

St. Clement's Island State Park

St. Mary's County, MD
76

Great day for a beach walk.

71°F water

False Cape State Park

Virginia Beach County, VA
76

Great day for a beach walk.

71°F air 7 mph wind

Corolla Beach

Currituck County, NC
76

Great day for a beach walk.

70°F air 7 mph wind

T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park

Gulf County, FL
76

Great day for a beach walk.

81°F water 82°F air 20 mph wind

Headlands Beach State Park

Lake County, OH
76

Great day for a beach walk.

69°F air 5 mph wind

Selkirk Shores State Park

Oswego County, NY
76

Great day for a beach walk.

70°F air 6 mph wind

Barnegat Lighthouse State Park

Ocean County, NJ
75

Ideal for a beach walk.

61°F water 73°F air 10 mph wind

Orient Beach State Park

Suffolk County, NY
75

Ideal for a beach walk.

60°F water 74°F air 9 mph wind

Marconi Beach

Barnstable County, MA
75

Great day for a beach walk.

69°F air 8 mph wind

Race Point Beach

Barnstable County, MA
75

Great day for a beach walk.

68°F air 10 mph wind

East Matunuck State Beach

Washington County, RI
75

Ideal for a beach walk.

60°F water 72°F air 9 mph wind

Hammonasset Beach State Park

Middlesex County, CT
75

Ideal for a beach walk.

60°F water 79°F air 9 mph wind

Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Dare County, NC
75

Great day for a beach walk.

70°F air 17 mph wind

La Jolla Shores

San Diego County, CA
75

Great day for a beach walk.

67°F air 5 to 10 mph wind

Crystal Cove State Park

Orange County, CA
75

Great day for a beach walk.

71°F air 5 to 10 mph wind

Bolsa Chica State Beach

Orange County, CA
75

Great day for a beach walk.

71°F air 10 mph wind

Long Beach (Alamitos Beach)

Los Angeles County, CA
75

Great day for a beach walk.

69°F air 10 mph wind

Zuma Beach

Los Angeles County, CA
75

Great day for a beach walk.

67°F air 10 mph wind

Leo Carrillo State Park

Los Angeles County, CA
75

Great day for a beach walk.

69°F air 10 mph wind

Montrose Beach (Chicago)

Cook County, IL
75

Great day for a beach walk.

70°F air 10 mph wind

Goose Rocks Beach

York County, ME
75

Great day for a beach walk.

71°F air 10 mph wind

Ferry Beach State Park

York County, ME
75

Great day for a beach walk.

68°F air 10 mph wind

Lighthouse Beach

Barnstable County, MA
75

Great day for a beach walk.

68°F air 8 mph wind

Wilderness State Park

Emmet County, MI
75

Great day for a beach walk.

71°F air 10 mph wind

Cardiff State Beach

San Diego County, CA
75

Great day for a beach walk.

69°F air 5 to 10 mph wind

Point Dume State Beach

Los Angeles County, CA
75

Great day for a beach walk.

70°F air 10 mph wind

Natural Bridges State Beach

Santa Cruz County, CA
75

Great day for a beach walk.

69°F air 12 mph wind

Fire Island National Seashore — Watch Hill

Suffolk County, NY
74

Great day for a beach walk.

69°F water 70°F air 10 mph wind

Smith Point County Park

Suffolk County, NY
74

Great day for a beach walk.

69°F water 71°F air 10 mph wind

Ocracoke Beach

Hyde County, NC
74

Great day for a beach walk.

72°F air 20 mph wind

Jekyll Island Beach

Glynn County, GA
74

Great day for a beach walk.

77°F air 22 mph wind

Amelia Island Beach

Nassau County, FL
74

Great day for a beach walk.

77°F air 22 mph wind

Waimea Bay Beach Park

Honolulu County, HI
74

Great day for a beach walk.

83°F air 18 to 23 mph wind

Hanauma Bay

Honolulu County, HI
74

Great day for a beach walk.

80°F air 21 mph wind

Cape Lookout National Seashore

Carteret County, NC
74

Great day for a beach walk.

76°F air 24 mph wind

Makapuu Beach Park

Honolulu County, HI
74

Great day for a beach walk.

79°F air 21 mph wind

Yokohama Bay (Keawaula Beach)

Honolulu County, HI
74

Great day for a beach walk.

81°F air 18 mph wind

Napili Bay

Maui County, HI
74

Great day for a beach walk.

81°F air 20 to 23 mph wind

Honolua Bay

Maui County, HI
74

Great day for a beach walk.

79°F air 20 to 23 mph wind

Kapalua Bay Beach

Maui County, HI
74

Great day for a beach walk.

81°F air 20 to 23 mph wind

Papakolea Green Sand Beach

Hawaii County, HI
74

Great day for a beach walk.

85°F air 24 mph wind

Wells Beach

York County, ME
73

Ideal for a beach walk.

54°F water 76°F air 5 mph wind

Carolina Beach

New Hanover County, NC
73

Ideal for a beach walk.

75°F water 78°F air 13 mph wind

Perdido Key State Park

Escambia County, FL
73

Ideal for a beach walk.

83°F water 82°F air 15 mph wind

Henderson Beach State Park

Okaloosa County, FL
73

Ideal for a beach walk.

84°F water 81°F air 15 mph wind

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

Walton County, FL
73

Ideal for a beach walk.

84°F water 85°F air 10 mph wind

Kaanapali Beach

Maui County, HI
73

Ideal for a beach walk.

78°F water 83°F air 14 to 17 mph wind

First Landing State Park

Virginia Beach County, VA
72

Ideal for a beach walk.

71°F water 74°F air 6 mph wind

Reeds Beach

Cape May County, NJ
69

Great day for a beach walk.

67°F water

Sandy Island Beach State Park (Sandy Pond)

Oswego County, NY
69

Great day for photography.

62°F air 5 mph wind

Carpinteria State Beach

Santa Barbara County, CA
69

Great day for photography.

64°F air 5 mph wind

Assateague Island National Seashore

Worcester County, MD
68

Great day for a beach walk.

66°F water 69°F air 7 mph wind

Assawoman State Wildlife Area

Worcester County, MD
68

Great day for a beach walk.

66°F water 71°F air 7 mph wind

Island Beach State Park

Ocean County, NJ
67

Great day for a beach walk.

61°F water 70°F air 10 mph wind

La Jolla Cove

San Diego County, CA
67

Great day for a beach walk.

66°F water 66°F air 5 to 10 mph wind

Morro Bay (Morro Strand State Beach)

San Luis Obispo County, CA
67

Great day for photography.

62°F air 10 to 15 mph wind

Popham Beach State Park

Sagadahoc County, ME
67

Great day for photography.

63°F air 10 mph wind

Sand Beach (Acadia National Park)

Hancock County, ME
67

Great day for photography.

62°F air 8 mph wind

Harris Beach State Park

Curry County, OR
67

Great day for photography.

55°F air 7 to 12 mph wind

Glass Beach (Fort Bragg)

Mendocino County, CA
67

Great day for photography.

60°F air 12 mph wind

Sebastian Inlet State Park

Brevard County, FL
66

Great day for photography.

82°F water 83°F air 15 mph wind

Cape San Blas (Salinas Park)

Gulf County, FL
65

Great day for a beach walk.

81°F water 82°F air 25 mph wind

Pfeiffer Beach (Big Sur)

Monterey County, CA
65

Great day for photography.

66°F air 21 mph wind

Presque Isle State Park

Erie County, PA
64

Great day for a beach walk.

59°F water 69°F air 7 mph wind

Hookipa Beach Park

Maui County, HI
64

Great day for a beach walk.

80°F air 20 to 25 mph wind

Reid State Park

Sagadahoc County, ME
63

Great day for a beach walk.

54°F water 68°F air 10 mph wind

Tybee Island Beach

Chatham County, GA
63

Great day for a beach walk.

80°F water 79°F air 18 mph wind

Melbourne Beach (Spessard Holland South)

Brevard County, FL
63

Great day for a beach walk.

82°F water 80°F air 20 mph wind

Cannon Beach (Haystack Rock)

Clatsop County, OR
63

Great day for photography.

60°F air 10 mph wind

Cape Lookout State Park

Tillamook County, OR
63

Great day for photography.

57°F air 13 mph wind

Hug Point State Recreation Site

Clatsop County, OR
63

Great day for photography.

55°F air 10 to 14 mph wind

Heceta Head Beach (Devils Elbow)

Lane County, OR
62

Great day for photography.

58°F air 7 mph wind

Bandon Beach (Face Rock)

Coos County, OR
62

Great day for photography.

58°F air 7 mph wind

Ecola State Park

Clatsop County, OR
61

Great day for photography.

58°F air 12 mph wind

Long Beach (Washington)

Pacific County, WA
61

Great day for photography.

63°F air 12 mph wind

Cape Disappointment State Park

Pacific County, WA
61

Great day for photography.

62°F air 13 mph wind

Yachats State Recreation Area

Lincoln County, OR
61

Great day for photography.

58°F air 6 to 9 mph wind

Cape Perpetua Scenic Area

Lincoln County, OR
61

Great day for photography.

56°F air 8 mph wind

Gold Beach (South Beach Park)

Curry County, OR
61

Great day for photography.

60°F air 3 to 8 mph wind

Monterey State Beach

Monterey County, CA
59

Great day for photography.

60°F water 62°F air 15 mph wind

Poipu Beach Park

Kauai County, HI
58

Decent day for photography.

82°F air 17 mph wind

Hanalei Bay

Kauai County, HI
58

Decent day for photography.

82°F air 14 to 17 mph wind

Dauphin Island Public Beach

Mobile County, AL
57

Great day for photography.

82°F water 83°F air 20 mph wind

Hobuck Beach

Clallam County, WA
57

Great day for photography.

60°F air 7 mph wind

Nehalem Bay State Park

Tillamook County, OR
56

Great day for photography.

55°F air 9 to 13 mph wind

Ruby Beach

Jefferson County, WA
56

Great day for photography.

55°F air 9 mph wind

Rialto Beach

Clallam County, WA
56

Great day for photography.

57°F air 9 mph wind

First Beach (La Push)

Clallam County, WA
56

Great day for photography.

55°F air 10 mph wind

Second Beach (La Push)

Clallam County, WA
56

Great day for photography.

55°F air 10 mph wind

Third Beach (La Push)

Clallam County, WA
56

Great day for photography.

60°F air 8 mph wind

Shi Shi Beach

Clallam County, WA
56

Great day for photography.

58°F air 8 mph wind

Stuart Beach (Hutchinson Island)

Martin County, FL
52

Great day for sunbathing.

82°F air 15 mph wind

Mustang Island State Park

Nueces County, TX
52

Great day for sunbathing.

84°F air 14 mph wind

Nye Beach (Newport, OR)

Lincoln County, OR
48

Great day for photography.

52°F water 57°F air 8 to 12 mph wind

Tunnels Beach (Makua)

Kauai County, HI
48

Decent day for photography.

83°F air 16 to 20 mph wind

Ocean Beach (San Francisco)

San Francisco County, CA
47

Great day for photography.

62°F air 18 to 25 mph wind

Kalaloch Beach

Jefferson County, WA
46

Great day for photography.

54°F air 8 mph wind

Bahia Honda State Park

Monroe County, FL
38

Mixed conditions today.

87°F air 10 mph wind

Marco Island Beach

Collier County, FL
38

Mixed conditions today.

88°F air 13 mph wind

Sea Rim State Park

Jefferson County, TX
38

Mixed conditions today.

83°F air 10 mph wind

Matagorda Beach

Matagorda County, TX
38

Mixed conditions today.

82°F air 15 mph wind

Bathtub Reef Beach (Hutchinson Island)

Martin County, FL

Skip the beach today.

84°F water 83°F air 15 mph wind

Sombrero Beach

Monroe County, FL

Skip the beach today.

88°F water 87°F air 10 mph wind

Captiva Island Beach (Alison Hagerup Beach Park)

Lee County, FL

Skip the beach today.

87°F water 84°F air 17 mph wind

Honeymoon Island State Park

Pinellas County, FL

Skip the beach today.

85°F water 82°F air 21 mph wind

Caladesi Island State Park

Pinellas County

Skip the beach today.

85°F water 82°F air 18 mph wind

Jupiter Beach

Palm Beach County, FL

Skip the beach today.

84°F water 82°F air 16 mph wind

Oceanfront Park Beach (Boynton Beach)

Palm Beach County, FL

Skip the beach today.

84°F water 81°F air 16 mph wind

Sanibel Island Beach

Lee County, FL

Skip the beach today.

87°F water 83°F air 16 mph wind

Lovers Key State Park

Lee County, FL

Skip the beach today.

87°F water 81°F air 15 mph wind

Grand Isle State Park

Jefferson County, LA

Skip the beach today.

84°F air 15 mph wind

Ocean Reef Park (Singer Island)

Palm Beach County, FL

Skip the beach today.

84°F water 83°F air 14 mph wind

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

Miami-Dade County, FL

Skip the beach today.

85°F water 83°F air 14 mph wind
esc

↑↓ navigate ↵ open · Browse all · View map