If you don’t immediately think of surf and sand when you think of Alaska, get ready to have your whole perception changed. With more coastline than any other state in the nation, measuring out at approximately 5,580 miles, it’s only natural that Alaska would be filled with the most glorious beaches in the entire world.
And guess what? I haven’t even gotten to the best part yet; many of our beaches are totally secluded! That means that you can can literally relax and unwind with the mere sounds of waves crashing in the background without litters of people stumbling over you. Here are the best Alaska beaches:
Chiniak Beach – Kodiak
Get away from the busy harbor life and find a peaceful spot all to yourself to sit back and take in the stunning Alaska views. Ready to start planning your vacation to Kodiak, Alaska? Visit our Kodiak Alaska Travel Guide, and start planning today and get your Alaska packing list here. Best Kodiak Hotel: Kodiak Compass Suites
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Eagle Beach – Juneau
Aside from rivers where salmon are spawning, this is one of the best spots to watch bald eagles. They perch in trees and on rocks here, hunting for washed-up salmon and other food. It’s also a great place for a picnic, or to go beach combing. Visit our Junea Alaska Travel Guide, and start planning today and get your Alaska packing list here. Best Juneau Hotel: Beachside Villa Luxury Inn
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Black Sand Beach – Barry Arm
With water cascading down from the hanging glaciers, sea life playing among the ice bergs and a commanding view of Barry Arm, Black Sand Beach is one of the most spectacular beaches in Alaska. The significance of this beach it its proximity to the tidewater glaciers. After a five minute paddle from Black Sand Beach, one can explore the massive rocks the Coxe glacier has exposed after retreating a 1/4 mile. With so much ice calving off, a kayaker can end up moving more ice that water with each stroke of the paddle. Black Sand Beach is 1/4 mile long, with icebergs frequently stranded on the sand . At low tide, it is possible to walk the coastline past the length of the beach allowing for great exploring missions. Visit our Anchorage Alaska Travel Guide, and start planning today and get your Alaska packing list here. Best Anchorage Hotel: The Hotel Captain Cook
Kincaid Beach – Anchorage
If not for the cool Alaska temps, it’d be easy to think you were in Southern California. The sand is fine and very little mars its surface other than the occasional piece of driftwood. Flanked on one side by tall bluffs and on the other by gorgeous views of the Cook Inlet, Kenai Peninsula and nearby Fire Island, Kincaid Beach offers fun and tranquility. You won’t find surfable waves here and the water is too cold for all but the bravest of souls, but other activities abound. Picnics, bonfires, mud fights, and all manner of games go equally well. Keep your eyes peeled for Japanese glass fishing floats, one of the most cherished finds for new and seasoned beachcombers alike. The mud flats can be dangerous and the waters of the Cook Inlet are prone to extreme tidal shifts so don’t venture too far out. Visit our Anchorage Alaska Travel Guide, and start planning today and get your Alaska packing list here. Best Anchorage Hotel: The Hotel Captain Cook
Homer Spit – Homer
With glacier-studded mountains and crystal-clear water surrounding you, the tiny businesses and miles of beaches that make up the Spit also make for one of Homer’s most beautiful features. Take long walks, take photos, check out the boats returning with their huge catches, or cast a line for salmon yourself at The Fishin’ Hole-located near the boat harbor-which is stocked with kings and silvers. Visit our Homer Alaska Travel Guide, and start planning today and get your Alaska packing list here. Best Homer Alaska Hotel: Homer Inn & Spa
Schooner Beach – Yakutat
Shipwrecks and big waves; this is Schooner beach. The beach is named after a three mast schooner called the Satsuma Maru that crashed onto the shore. Beyond Yakutat’s beaches lies a surfers dream…miles and miles of empty waves. These sandy beaches abound with driftwood and occasional glass balls for the beachcomber. Behind Yakutat soars the 18,008-foot summit of Mt. St. Elias, second-tallest in the United States. Visit our Yakutat Alaska Travel Guide, and start planning today and get your Alaska packing list here. Best Yakutat Hotel: Yakutat’s Situk Inn
Mill Bay Beach Park – Kodiak
One of the easiest beaches to access from town, this park has a nice overlook and excellent waterfront with picnic sites. In late July through September, you can fish from the beach for silver and pink salmon. Wander down the beach to a small creek (on the left side) that is filled with salmon in late summer. Surfers ride storm waves here, and some locals even scuba dive in the cove (during calm spells). On warm summer days, the local kids hit this beach, showing their Alaskan grit by swimming in the cool waters. Visit our Kodiak Alaska Travel Guide, and start planning today and get your Alaska packing list here. Best Kodiak Hotel: Kodiak Compass Suites
Kasilof Beach Road – Kasilof
Whether you’re interested in a peaceful walk through a secluded estuary or want a front row seat for the annual salmon dip netting extravaganza where hordes of locals collect salmon with giant nets attached to a ten-foot pole, Kasilof Beach Road is the place for you. The river-mouth is lined by the beach, dunes, an estuary, and a broad salt marsh. The woods to the north and south also provide a chance to spot bald eagles and moose, so take your camera! Visit our Kenai Alaska Travel Guide, and start planning today and get your Alaska packing list here. Best Kenai Hotel: Ocean Bluff Bed & Breakfast
Cannon Beach – Yakutat
At Cannon Beach, you can walk for miles on untouched sand. Keep your eyes peeled for some exciting treasures like windy driftwood or beach glass. The area is also great for picnicking, surfing, and camping. There are three different campsites located about 1/4 mile apart along the beach. Visit our Yakutat Alaska Travel Guide, and start planning today and get your Alaska packing list here. Best Yakutat Hotel: Leonard’s Landing Lodge
Chena Lake Recretion Area – North Pole
Two parks make up the Chena Lake Recreation Area, The Lake Park, and The River Park. Both were created by the construction of a 7.1-mile long earth fill dam in 1967. At The Lake Park, you’ll find two designated swimming areas, both with beautiful sandy beaches, two fishing docks, a boat launch, playground, three volleyball courts, a horseshoe pit, and more. The River Park has many of the same amenities along with a 4.5-kilometer self-guided nature trail. Visit our Fairbanks Alaska Travel Guide, and start planning today and get your Alaska packing list here. Best Fairbanks Alaska Hotel: Hotel North Pole
Nome Beach – Nome
Nome Beach is located between the Bering Sea and Front Street, with a seawall extending about a third of a mile to protect the city from storms. In the summer, Nome-ites come here to explore the beach for driftwood and sea glass, build bonfires, and watch the amazing sunset over the Bering Sea. The gold that originally brought the world to Nome is still here, in smaller quantities, so you can also bust out your gold pan and dredge for some sparklers! Visit our Nome Alaska Travel Guide, and start planning today and get your Alaska packing list here. Best Nome Hotel: Angel Camp by the Sea
Kenai Beach – Kenai
Located at the mouth of the Kenai River on “Alaska’s Playground,” Kenai Beach is known for world-class salmon fishing and some of the most stunning sunsets in the world. Bring the friends and have a fire on the beach or spend the day playing in the sand. In the springtime Beluga whales have even been spotted from the beach. Visit our Kenai Alaska Travel Guide, and start planning today and get your Alaska packing list here. Best Kenai Hotel: Aspen Extended Stay Suites Hotel
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Pingback: Anonymous
It really does flip the whole “beach vacation” idea on its head, doesn’t it? Alaska’s coastline feels more like a wild, living landscape than a typical beach scene.
If you’re looking for the most unique, Black Sand Beach near Barry Arm is hard to beat. The mix of glaciers, icebergs, and dark sand makes it feel almost otherworldly. That said, Homer Spit is a great first stop because it’s easier to access and still gives you those classic Alaska views with a bit more to do nearby.
Pingback: Noelle
For first-time visitors, Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska offers one of the best overall balances of accessibility, scenery, and wildlife. You can drive directly onto the Spit, walk long stretches of beach, watch fishing boats return with halibut and salmon, and often spot bald eagles overhead. Across Kachemak Bay, glacier-capped mountains create dramatic coastal views without requiring a kayak or long hike. Kenai Beach is another excellent option for easy access, especially during salmon runs when you might see anglers lining the shore and even beluga whales offshore in spring. While remote beaches like Black Sand Beach near Barry Arm are spectacular, they typically require guided boat or kayak excursions. For most travelers planning an Alaska beach vacation, starting with Homer or the Kenai Peninsula delivers iconic scenery, wildlife encounters, and convenience all in one place.
Pingback: Asher
Great question! Travelers searching best Alaska beach for scenery often start with Kincaid Beach in Anchorage because it’s easy to reach and has huge views of Cook Inlet and the Kenai Peninsula. For an accessible wildlife spot, many people look up Eagle Beach Juneau for bald eagle viewing and beachcombing. If you want dramatic glacier scenery, Black Sand Beach Barry Arm is unforgettable, but it usually requires a kayak or boat, so it’s more of an adventure day than a quick stop.