10 Best Beaches In Maryland

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Located in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States, Maryland is defined by its waterways on the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

Nicknamed the “Old Line” state, it borders Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, and Pennsylvania.

Approximately 6 million people call Maryland home.

There are vastly different geographic regions in the state, including marshes, shorelines, farmland, swamps, marsh, and forests.

Maryland is home to the U.S. Naval Academy and the Baltimore Ravens (named for the poem by former Baltimore resident, Edgar Allen Poe).

The blue crab is the official crustacean of the state and they produce more of it than any other place in the country.

You’ll also be hard-pressed to go to any restaurant that doesn’t serve blue crab cakes with Old Bay seasoning.

If you include the many islands that are a part of Maryland, the coast is made up of over 4300 miles of tidal shoreline.

So a great day or full vacation at the beach is a definite option when visiting Maryland.

In fact, there are so many beautiful beaches with varied activities and accommodations, that it’s hard to narrow down the best.

But we’ve gathered data from around the web, to bring you the 10 that are the most talked about.

10 Best Beaches In Maryland

10. Point Lookout State Beach State Park – Scotland, MD

Situated on the peninsula between the Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River, Point Lookout was once home to a Civil War camp.

Visitors can learn about its history from the on-site museum.

As for the beach, it’s one of the best bayside areas to be found for family fun in Maryland.

The beach is open daily from 7 AM until sunset.

There’s a picnic area, grills, restrooms, and a park store for all your lunch and camping needs.

The beach is open for hiking, jogging, swimming, boating, and fishing.

The gentle waters make for a nice place for the kids to play.

9. Rocky Gap State Park Beach – Flintstone, MD

The 243-acre Lake Habeeb is known for having the bluest water in the state.

Rugged mountains, cliffs, and a hemlock forest surround the lake and sandy beach.

With swimming, boating, fishing, and loads of sun, it’s a perfect beach alternative to the sometimes crowded oceanfront.

Restrooms and a snack shack are available.

There are also over 200 campsites available for an extended stay.

The Rocky Gap Hotel and Casino are right up the road as well.

8. Breezy Point Beach – Calvert County, MD

Located on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay, visitors can enjoy the half mile of natural sand and gentle waves of the bay.

The water is warm and comfortable enough for everyone.

 This seasonal public beach offers a fishing pier, playground, picnic areas, grills, bathhouse, and refreshment stand.

There are volleyball nets and plenty of space to play in the sand.

Nets are put around the swimming area to keep away the jellyfish.

The beach is wheelchair accessible as well. 

7. Matapeake Beach – Stevensville, MD

Situated on the Chesapeake Bay on Kent Island, this small beach has been described as a “hidden gem” by locals and visitors alike.

The beach is open from sunrise to sunset each day from June through September.

A jetty along the water allows for fishing and lounging.

Dogs are welcome to play and swim at the far end of the beach.

An old mansion now serves as a clubhouse and hosts parties in the off-season.

Restrooms and a snack bar are available.

6. North Beach – Calvert County, MD

Located on the western shore of The Chesapeake Bay, small waves rippling against the shore are a welcoming sound to visitors to this idyllic beach town.

You’ll swear you are on Cape Cod when roaming around the quaint town that has plenty of shops and restaurants.

The beach offers swimming, kayaking, tubing, and plenty of fun for the entire family.

5. Kent Island – Stevensville, MD

With great views of the bay bridge and beautiful sunsets, Kent is the largest island in the Chesapeake Bay.

Gentle waves lap against the rocky shoreline, making for fun wading in the water.

The soft sand makes sunbathing a delight. Nature lovers will be ecstatic with the nature park full of wildlife.

There’s a total of 26 acres of shore for everyone to spread out and enjoy.

Restrooms are available and it’s free to get on the beach. 

4. Calvert Cliffs State Park – Lubsy, MD

The ancient cliffs are what make this beach on the Chesapeake truly unique.

The massive cliffs are between 10 to 20 million years old and contain the fossilized remains of over 600 species including sharks, whales, and long-extinct sea birds the size of airplanes.

The beach is open year-round from sun up to sun down.

There is a playground, fishing, tubing, 13 miles of hiking trails, and both freshwater and tidal marshes.

Portable toilets are available along with a few picnic tables.

You will need to bring your own water and food.

3. Sandy Point State Park – Annapolis, MD

Sandy Point Beach is well known for its scenic views of the Chesapeake Bay.

The beach sits within the 786-acre state park and is a wonderful place for families and friends to gather.

Fishing and boating are permitted 24 hours a day, all year round.

Visitors can also go crabbing, tubing, and there’s a playground for the kids.

Boats are available for rent and there are food stands and restrooms available.

2. Assateague Beach

If you’re looking for natural beauty, waves, and wild horses, then a trip to Assateague is in order.

There are no bells and whistles, just pure, unspoiled sand, ocean, and nature.

In addition to the horses, there’s a slew of other wildlife to take in, from shore birds and turtles to fish and hermit crabs.

The beach is about 2 miles long, so there’s plenty of room to spread out, play games, and build sand castles.

If you walk down to the hook at low tide, you can inspect an old shipwreck.

Tons of shells await beachcombers and the kiddos.

Visitors can swim, boogie board, fish, and surf. It’s an easy walk across the parking lot to the bay side to explore the tidal pools.

This is one of the more unique beach experiences in Maryland because the landscape has remained the same for hundreds of years.

And let’s not forget those amazing wild horses!

1. Ocean City, Maryland

If you’re looking for a beach inside the limits of an active resort town, then Ocean City is the place for you.

With 10 miles of lifeguarded sand and clear Atlantic surf, Ocean City is the perfect getaway for families, couples, and groups of friends.

The beach is unofficially divided into sections so everyone can maximize their fun.

For example, the southern end is where adults and couples go to relax and take in the sun, while the northern end is where families congregate with their kids to play in the surf and dig in the sand.

Ocean City is consistently named one of the cleanest beaches in the country.

That goes for the sand and crystal-clear ocean water.

The beach is lined with hotels on the northern end and the expansive boardwalk starts about halfway down and continues for about 2 miles through the southern end. 

On the beach, visitors can swim, surf, kayak, and surf fish in designated areas.

The beach is free and lifeguards are on duty from 10 AM until 5:39 PM each day during the summer.

If you need a break from the sand, the Ocean City boardwalk is legendary, with live entertainment, festivals, games, rides, restaurants, shops, and more.

You’re guaranteed a great time in this unique oceanfront fun factory.

Not far from the beach is a water park, golf, museums, and more shops. 

Maryland Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: Maryland Safety Review

Safety Index:

65

• OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
• TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
• PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
• NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
• MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
• TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
• SCAMS RISK: HIGH
• WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM