The beaches
Three shores, each with its own conditions and character.
Sunrise and sunset, island timeSea-turtle nesting season: red lights only on the beach at night.Conservancy
South Beach
The long, wide, classic stretch. Atlantic surf, the most cart parking, and sunset down the sand in one direction with sunrise in the other.
East Beach
Faces the open ocean and picks up the best waves; the surfboard crowd loads carts and heads east.
West Beach
The quiet one, along the river mouth. Calmer water, ship-watching, and the island's best sunset seat.
Looking for a specific way onto the sand? The beach access directory catalogs each access point with its features (boardwalks, cart parking, surf notes) and pins them all on the island map.
Beach rules that matter
- Golf carts park at marked accesses with every tire off the pavement.
- May 1 to November 15 is sea-turtle nesting season: red lights only on the beach at night, fill in holes, and give marked nests room.
- Leave the dunes and sea oats alone; they are the island's storm insurance.
The shorelines
Dune paths, empty sand, and the sunrises that make the 6 am cart ride worth it.