Most beach-goers in Alabama and the Florida Panhandle choose Gulf Shores or Destin, skipping this quiet barrier island south of Mobile Bay. Dauphin Island is free of large resorts; instead you'll find small vacation rentals -- many right on the beach -- and fishing camps. The island has excellent beaches with clear, clean water, Civil War-era Fort Gaines and the 164-acre Audubon Bird Sanctuary for bird-watching. A handful of seafood restaurants serve local catches.
Charley Young Beach is one of Maui's best, but it's overlooked in favor of nearby resort beaches. Also, the beach is at the end of a residential street, so it's effectively hidden from most tourists passing through the main drag of South Kihei Road. The soft, golden sand leads to pristine water that is always calm for swimming and snorkeling. A cluster of lava rocks at the beach's north end shelter tide pools and help block afternoon wind. Showers and toilets are available.
Bal Harbour sits on the northern tip of the same barrier island as Miami Beach, so most tourists overlook it in favor of glamorous Miami. But the beaches in this upscale community are worth visiting; they have the same sugar-white sand as Miami Beach without the hordes of visitors. Travelers craving an upscale vacation will not be disappointed, as Bal Harbour has swanky oceanfront condominiums, boutique shops and high-end restaurants. Shuttles ferry visitors between hotels and shopping.
Beach vacationers in Michigan often choose Traverse City, but smaller St. Joseph, on the state's west side, is a less crowded alternative. The quiet beach town has wide sand beaches perfect for playing sports like volleyball or football or spreading out for sunbathing away from other visitors. The town itself has an array of bed-and-breakfasts, shops and restaurants, and nearby are wineries and golf courses.
Most travelers come to Cannon Beach to snap a few photos of Haystack Rock, the town's impressive sea stack, but forgo spending any time on the sand or in the community. The beach is perfect for walking, beach combing and spotting wildlife like seals and orcas, while the town has art galleries, unique shops and several historical sites. The town also makes a great jumping-off point for exploring the area's mountains and trails, which offer dramatic views of the coastline.
