10 Beautiful Beaches to Visit Away From Hurricanes This Summer

by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 7:00 PM ET, Fri May 17, 2024

Everyone loves those idyllic beach vacations. Whether your ideal beach vacation includes nothing but catching warm summer rays in the sand or playing beach volleyball, snorkeling or surfing, you’ll need to feel confident that your summer beach vacation won’t be rained out or even canceled altogether due to hurricane weather.

According to the National Hurricane Center, the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, while the East and Central North Pacific hurricane seasons run from mid-May and June 1 to November 30. These are the three major hurricane seasons that impact North America’s East and West Coasts, and the Caribbean.

These seasons are expected to be more intense than usual this year. According to a seasonal forecast conducted by Colorado State University, the Atlantic hurricane season alone will likely see 23 named storms and 11 hurricanes, five of which are expected to be major. This is compared to a long-term average from 1991-2020 of 14.4 named storms and 7.2 hurricanes, 3.2 of which were major.

While we all love that beach getaway, it’ll be more important than ever this year to consider how an increasingly volatile hurricane season may dampen more beach vacation destinations than in the past. That’s why it’s important to consider destinations that have a very low—or even nonexistent—risk for hurricanes during hurricane season.

So where can you enjoy that idyllic summer vacation without the hurricanes? We’ve compiled a short list to inspire your last-minute beach getaway by region.

The East Coast

The East Coast is a popular summertime seaboard for vacationers, but the farther north you go during the summer, the less likely you’ll be impacted by hurricanes or tropical storms, though these destinations can see more of these weather patterns later in the year, beginning in August or September and going through November.

We recommend Inkwell Beach in Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts, which is a charming and historic beach in the resort island of Martha’s Vineyard. It has the unique history of being the chosen site for African American beachgoers in the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Today, it’s an easily accessible beach located near golf courses, the small Victorian-era town of Oak Bluffs, and, of course, other beaches.

oak bluffs, martha's vineyard, inkwell beach, adobe stock, beaches in massachusetts

Additionally, travelers who want to eliminate the chances for any hurricane weather at all should visit one of the beaches along New York’s scenic Lake George, such as Million Dollar Beach. Travelers can enjoy a weekend or an entire week in the scenic, forested community, hiking, biking, shopping, dining and, of course, enjoying a large, salt-free body of water.

For travelers still wanting to enjoy a more southern beach escape, we recommend the gorgeous, natural Outer Banks region of North Carolina, but with one caveat: there may be one or two storms during the summer, though most happen in the fall. If you’re willing to risk one or two days of rain during your summer beach vacation, then the Outer Banks might be a great choice.

The West Coast

The West Coast of the United States is impacted by the North and Central Pacific hurricane seasons, but the good news is that, for the most part, the region’s colder ocean temperatures discourages most hurricanes from landing ashore, making the West Coast a great place to get that beach vacation you’ve been waiting for without too much risk for a hurricane or tropical storm to dampen your beach vibes.

We recommend any beach along the coast: from the naturally cooler, yet definitely photo-worthy Cannon Beach in Oregon to the most popular beach on the Pacific Coastline: Venice Beach. Yet travelers will have to contend with bigger waves, which are ideal for surfers, and colder ocean temperatures, so swimmers beware.

Additionally, if you’re on the West Coast and want to eliminate the risk of hurricanes entirely, or want a salt-free swimming experience, look no further than Washington’s Lake Chelan, a gorgeous lake located within Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park, as well as Lake Tahoe, which straddles the Nevada-California border. You’ll find plenty of beaches and water-centric activities to enjoy this summer in both places.

The Midwest

We can’t talk about beaches that eliminate the risk for hurricanes without talking about the midwest. It’s the best-kept region of the States for summer travel, and it’s no wonder why. There’s several great lakes, plenty of smaller ones, and near-perfect weather all summer long.

We recommend Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan, which is a gorgeous natural beach along the state’s Lake Michigan shoreline. While the water is expected to be cold, nature and animal lovers will delight in the region, while history lovers will be entranced by the area’s other attractions.

A family enjoying Bradford Beach in Milwaukee.

Additionally, across the lake from Michigan is Milwaukee’s Bradford Beach. Rated one of the most accessible beaches in the nation, it’s a great choice for people with mobility issues or in wheelchairs, and it’s also easily accessible, being right in the heart of Milwaukee.

For travelers looking to get away from the city, we also recommend visiting the historic Riviera Beach in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. The popular resort town offers ample dining and historic attractions to discover (including a stunning library designed by Frank Lloyd Wright’s pupil). Even a short visit will make you understand why people have been visiting the area for centuries.

The Caribbean

The Caribbean islands are often the most affected by hurricanes and tropical storms, mainly because of the region’s warm waters and its wind patterns. That doesn’t necessarily mean that every island you visit during the summer offers an equal chance for hurricanes, though.

The ABC Islands, which are Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, are often spared from the worst storms and hurricanes each year. While visiting these islands and their gorgeous Caribbean beaches aren’t fully devoid of the risk of a washout, they are generally safer choices for summer travel.

Grote Knip beach, Curacao, Netherlands Antilles.

Arikok National Park’s beach in Aruba is a beach you have to see to believe, while Bonaire is home to Pink Beach, one of the few pink beaches in the Caribbean. We recommend visiting Playa Kenepa, also known as Grote Knip, while in Curaçao.

Bonus: The Mediterranean

For travelers wanting to explore beaches further abroad, you’re in luck! The Mediterranean Sea often sees its hurricane season from September to February each year, which means travelers visiting Spain to Italy to Greece and beyond are safe from the threat of a total washout.

For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.