There are many ways to judge a beach: the softness of its sand, the clarity of its water, the quality of the surf, or nearby activities and dining. But for those seeking a peaceful escape, free from crowds and rogue volleyballs, tranquility is key. And when it comes to calm and quiet, one lesser-known U.S. beach stands out.
Holden Beach in North Carolina has been named the calmest beach in the U.S., according to a study by McLuck, a social casino platform.
The team analyzed approximately 250,000 TripAdvisor reviews from 158 beaches nationwide, tracking how often words like “calm,” “quiet,” and “relax” appeared. Based on the percentage of reviews that mentioned these terms, Holden Beach emerged as the most serene destination of them all.
Holden Beach is a quiet seaside town between North Carolina’s more popular coastal destinations of Wilmington and Myrtle Beach. The town has just over 500 people and is primarily a residential community with a small commercial area. For that reason, beachgoers are treated to plenty of open space, natural beauty, and a welcome lack of buzzy beachfront boardwalks. In fact, in the study, over 38 percent of the Holden Beach reviews mentioned calmness.
In its findings, the study noted that at Holden Beach, “uncrowded sands, small-town charm, and strict limits on commercial development may explain why so many people find it a peaceful haven. It’s a classic Carolina beach town where time seems to slow down with the tide.”
Following Holden Beach on the list was Lewes Beach in Delaware. Like Holden Beach, the town of Lewes has a small population (just over 3,000 people) and is known for being quiet and void of party crowds. Beaches in Virginia came in at No. 3, No. 4, and No. 5, making it the dominant state in the top 10 list.
There were no West Coast states in the top 10 ranking and only one beach in the upper Northeast—Goose Rocks Beach in Maine (No. 10). The full ranking is below:
1. Holden Beach, North Carolina
Serenity score: 38.46%
2. Lewes Beach, Delaware
Serenity score: 34.5%
3. Cape Charles Beach, Virginia
Serenity score: 32.78%
4. Chic’s Beach, Virginia
Serenity score: 28.63%
5. Sandbridge Beach, Virginia
Serenity score: 28.22%
6. Oak Island Beach, North Carolina
Serenity score: 26.64%
7. Sullivan’s Island Beach, South Carolina
Serenity score: 25.45%
8. Bethany Beach, Delaware
Serenity score: 24.92%
9. St. Andrews Beach, Georgia
Serenity score: 24.31%
10. Goose Rocks Beach, Maine
Serenity score: 24.11%
