Share the article
Last updated
Do you want to enjoy the beach without the heat?
I love sun, sea and sand, but hate sweat and sunburn! If you feel the same, then this list of the top 5 beach destinations in the world without the sweltering heat is for you.
To create this list of the coolest beach destinations, we combined the expertise of our travel editors with the collective wisdom of our readers.
Our team carefully analyzed thousands of reviews on TripAdvisor, focusing on factors such as climate, activities and overall visitor satisfaction.
Here are the choices:
1. Sandy beach, Acadia National Park, Maine
If Acadia National Park is a crown, then Sand Beach is its jewel. This is the hottest beach on our list, with average August temperatures of 25 C (77 F).
With a regular welcome breeze, that’s a great temperature for cooling off on the coast!
One TripAdvisor user gave a glowing review, saying, “Come here to cool off during the day and look at the stars at night.”
Sand Beach is a picturesque destination within Acadia National Park near Bar Harbor, Maine. It is a relatively small beach, but unique. You will notice that the fine sand is actually made up of shell fragments.
The beach is surrounded by cliffs and lies between two rocky headlands. It is worth noting that although the beach is flanked by sand dunes, these are actually closed to the public.
Please also note that there is a large staircase leading down to the beach, and this is the only access point, meaning that this particular beach is not wheelchair accessible.
2. Cannon Beach, Oregon
Cannon Beach in Oregon proves once again that you don’t have to leave the US to find idyllic cooling on the coast.
Cannon Beach is a very clean and very large beach famous for its long sandy beach.
One of the most iconic images of Cannon Beach is Haystack Rock, which stands high in the ocean just offshore.
Haystack Rock is a seasonal refuge for puffins, so this beach attracts nature lovers. But it is also a great place if you want to relax on the coast and get closer to nature.
Waterfalls cascade onto the sand at Hug Point, and Cannon Beach is one of Oregon’s strangest and most picturesque destinations thanks to its exceptional natural beauty.
The average temperature here in August is 20°C, which is a comfortable temperature for a day of exploring the coastline.
This is confirmed by our TripAdvisor research, with one user saying: “The weather was perfect, not a cloud in the sky, just a cool breeze from the north.”
3. Uig Sands, Isle of Lewis, Scotland
Uig Sands is not only TripAdvisor’s top attraction on the Isle of Lewis, but is also regularly voted one of Britain’s best beaches.
This was my choice for a coastal cool down, and when the weather is good it’s one of my favorite places in the world.
The beaches of the Hebrides are beautiful!
Reviews on TripAdvisor state that this is “a beach you should definitely visit if you like empty beaches with beautiful white sand” and that this is a “great beach in any weather”.
The average temperature in Stornoway in August is just 16° (60.8°F), so if you’re planning a perfect beach day wearing a sweater, you’ve come to the right place!
My best tip? Pack your wetsuit! This way you can fully enjoy the beach and the sea, without noticing the temperature.
Getting to the Isle of Lewis is an adventure in itself. LoganAir operates small double-decker flights to the island and these non-stop domestic flights depart from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness.
Prices start from £101 ($129) for a one-way flight.
4. Zandvoort, Netherlands
You may not think that the Netherlands is an obvious beach destination, but the country has more than 250 kilometers of beautiful sandy beaches.
One of our favorites is Zandvoort, which is just 40 km or a 38-minute drive from Amsterdam. Are only 24 minutes by train (costs only 7 euros/$7.60), so perfect for a day trip if you’re visiting Amsterdam and want to escape the city.
I prefer to do it the other way around: I stay in the quiet relaxation of Zandvoort and take day trips to Amsterdam to see the sights.
With an average August temperature of 19°C (66.2°F), you can spend the whole day comfortably relaxing on the beach. In Zandvoort you don’t have to escape the afternoon sun.
Highlights of this beautiful, extensive sandy beach are the nice beach cafes. It also offers excellent surfing and is known for its windsurfing and kitesurfing.
Zandvoort includes the southern part of Zuid-Kennemerland National Park, with beautiful coastal dunes, perfect for walking and cycling.
5. Sandham Lakes, Sweden
Sandhammeren has a long white sandy beach. The sand is fine and the water is cool and clear. It is almost unanimously agreed that this is the very best beach in Sweden.
And it’s the perfect place to cool off on the coast.
If we consult our friends on TripAdvisor again, we will find that “The sea was cold, but perfect for paddling, and there were people swimming – lots of shallow water. The sand was perfect.”
The average temperature of Sandham Lakes in August is around 21°C, so you won’t overheat here.
Sandhammaren is located in Skåne, southern Sweden, and is one of the southernmost beaches in the country. The long beach, dunes and pine forests are inviting all year round.
If you’re traveling from Stockholm (where most American passengers land when they arrive in Sweden), I won’t lie and say that Sandhammaren is easy to get to. But it is worth it!
If you rent a car, Sandhammeren beach is 4.5 hours away. Alternatively, using public transport, you can take the train from Stockholm to Ystad and then take a bus to Sandhammaren Beach.
This is a 5 hour train ride, but a beautiful scenic one!
✈️Join our Travel Off Path community forum: Where travelers come together, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel companions!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to the latest Travel Off Path breaking travel news, delivered straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
