What's summer weather like at America's best beaches of 2024?

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What you need to know about summer travel this year

Today is the official start of summer – Travel expert Jeanenne Tornatore explains what you need to know about summer travel this year and what to do if your trip gets disrupted by the weather. 

With summer closing in, it is time to plan a beach vacation. While Travel and Leisure Magazine has ranked the 25 best beaches in the U.S., FOX Weather has taken a closer look at the weather for these sandy spots.

"Different criteria define the perfect beach for different people, such as the quality of the sand, the waves (or lack thereof), level of seclusion, public transportation and accessible parking, whether there's a boardwalk, activities, and even the amount of shade," reads the article by Travel and Leisure. 

"Some beaches are found next to crystalline lakes, while others are beneath the peaks of majestic mountain ranges," the magazine continued. "Some are surf havens with stellar waves, while others cater to families with calm waters and things to do right on the sand."

To help you find the ideal beach for your summer break, FOX Weather took a look at the average summer weather from NOAA to give you a look at what to expect when visiting each location.

1. Poipu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii

File: Vacationer swimming and sunbathing at Poipu beach Jan 2013. 

(Francis Dean/Corbis / Getty Images)

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Calling all surfers, snorkelers, fishermen, windsurfers and bodyboarders; Poipu Beach may be your ideal. There is also a small boulder breakwater for kid-friendly, protected swimming. It sits on the south shore of Kauai which many call the "Garden Isle" because of its lush green mountains.

• Average high: 84 degrees.
• Average low: 74 degrees.
• Percent of time skies are partly to mostly cloudy: 28%, clouds increase in the afternoon.
• Percent of days of measurable rain in summer: 15%.
• Average water temp: 78 degrees.
• Chance of a muggy day: 93%.

2. Ocean City, Maryland

File: A picture from a drone of the Ocean City inlet and Ocean City boardwalk is seen.

(Patrick Smith / Getty Images)

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Grab the kids. Ocean City is 8 miles of sand lined shore with 3 miles of boardwalk. Beach rentals, shops, amusement park rides, bike rentals and restaurants are never far from where you are staying. The Atlantic also offers fishing, boating and Jet Skiing.

• Average high: 83 degrees.
• Average low: 69 degrees.
• Percent of time skies are partly to mostly: 40%.
• Percent of days of measurable rain in summer: 35%.
• Chance of a muggy day: 75%.
• Average water temp: 74 degrees.

3. Coronado Beach, San Diego, California

The Hotel del Coronado fronts the beach at San Diego, California. 

(Nik Wheeler / Getty Images)

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Not far from San Diego, Coronado Island is the strand that separates San Diego Bay and the Pacific. The area offers the historical Hotel del Coronado, beautiful hikes and the world-renowned San Diego Zoo. The water can be chilly and rough, though. There is even a dog-friendly section of the beach.

• Average high: 75 degrees.
• Average low: 66 degrees.
• Percent of time skies are partly to mostly cloudy: 15%, cloudy mornings.
• Percent of days of measurable rain in summer: 1%.
• Chance of a muggy day: 7%.
• Average water temp: 67 degrees.

4. Pope Beach, Lake Tahoe, California

File: People visit Pope Beach in South Lake Tahoe, California.

(David Paul Morris/Bloomberg / Getty Images)

If you thought the Lake Tahoe area was just a winter ski destination, think again. The largest alpine lake on the continent boasts beaches, boating, kayaking and paddleboarding on the crystal clear water. Take a break from the beach and go hiking or try out the ski runs, repurposed for the summer for mountain biking. There are even casinos on the Nevada side.

• Average high: 78 degrees.
• Average low: 40 degrees.
• Percent of time skies are partly to mostly: 19%.
• Percent of days of measurable rain in summer: 3%.
• Chance of a muggy day: 0%.
• Average water temp: 54 degrees.

5. Clearwater Beach, Florida

File: Clearwater Beach is just one of the sandy getaways in the Tampa Bay area.

(Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images)

While spring breakers think of Clearwater Beach as a winter and spring destination, families hit the white-sand beach all summer. The pier offers entertainment for everyone at night. Enjoy the bathtub-warm Gulf of Mexico early in the day to avoid the afternoon thunderstorms. Not to worry, the storms usually leave as fast as they arrive.

• Average high: 89 degrees.
• Average low: 77 degrees.
• Percent of time skies are partly to mostly: 55%, afternoon showers.
• Percent of days of measurable rain in summer: 67%.
• Chance of a muggy day: 98%.
• Average water temp: 85 degrees.

6. Harris Beach, Oregon

File: Sunset at Harris Beach State Park on the southern Oregon coast. 

(Greg Vaughn /VW PICS/Universal Images Group / Getty Images)

Harris Beach is ready for campers and RVs. Prepare to be amazed at the crazy rock formations and towering cliffs in this state park, not to mention migrating whales off the coast, harbor seals and gray whales.

• Average high: 65 degrees.
• Average low: 53 degrees.
• Percent of time skies are mostly cloudy to cloudy: 30%.
• Percent of days of measurable rain in summer: 3%.
• Chance of a muggy day: 0%.
• Average water temp: 53 degrees.

7. Glass Beach, Port Townsend, Washington

Port Townsend, Washington.

(Beth Volk / FOX Weather)

This remote bluff used to be a garbage dump. It is known for the beautiful sea glass lining the beach. Travel and Leisure said it's a bit of a walk through the state park and Port Townsend to find the treasure. Go treasure hunting during low tide.

• Average high: 70 degrees.
• Average low: 53 degrees.
• Percent of time skies are mostly cloudy to cloudy: 41%.
• Percent of days of measurable rain in summer: 15%, July and August are the driest months.
• Average water temp: 54 degrees.
• Chance of a muggy day: 0%.

8. Oak Street Beach, Chicago, Illinois

File: Two Chicago Fire Department boats and Chicago Police sit in the no-wake area near Oak Street Beach.

(Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service / Getty Images)

Oak Street Beach is almost a mirage in urban Chicago. The sandy stretch framed by the skyline is popular for joggers, walkers and rollerbladers. Consider taking a dip in Lake Michigan as a little break from a business trip.

• Average high: 75 degrees.
• Average low: 67 degrees.
• Average time skies are mostly cloudy to cloudy: 40%.
• Percent of days of measurable rain in summer: 33%.
• Average water temp: 65 degrees.
• Chance of a muggy day: 40%

9. Carlsmith Beach, Hilo, Hawaii

File: A woman snorkels in the clear water of the Pacific Ocean at Carlsmith Beach Park.

(Getty Images)

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This crystal clear oasis sits off a tree-lined park in Hilo, Hawaii, and is a haven for snorkelers. A reef protects the area from the normally battering waves on the Big Island. When you are through swimming with the sea turtles, head to nearby Volcano National Park.

• Average high: 82 degrees.
• Average low: 70 degrees.
• Average time skies are mostly cloudy to cloudy: 27%.
• Percent of days of measurable rain in summer: 27%.
• Average water temp: 78 degrees.
• Chance of a muggy day: 80%.

10. Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina

File: Surfers ride the waves  at Wrightsville Beach.  (Photo by Eros Hoagland/Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

The magazine calls Wrightsville Beach "a quaint, quintessential beach town" that offers relaxation and plenty of water sports.

• Average high: 85 degrees.
• Average low: 72 degrees.
• Average time skies are mostly cloudy to cloudy: 51%.
• Percent of days of measurable rain in summer: 46%.
• Average water temp: 80 degrees.
• Chance of a muggy day: 85%.

11. Grand Haven State Park, Michigan

The pier and lighthouse at Grand Haven State Park.

(FOX Weather)

The Grand Haven State Park is a 48-acre park on the shore of Lake Michigan less than 40 miles west of Grand Rapids. 

• Average high: 77 degrees.
• Average low: 62 degrees.
• Average time skies are mostly cloudy to cloudy: 41%.
• Percent of days of measurable rain in summer: 28%.
• Average water temp: 64 degrees.
• Chance of a muggy day: 93%.

12. Santa Monica Beach, California

The Santa Monica Pier is pictured as the sun sets in Santa Monica, California. Photo by Apu GOMES / AFP

(Getty Images)

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Beach, sun and fun – Santa Monica Beach has it all. The pier boasts an amusement park and fishing. Restaurants are just a short walk away. You can walk, jog and bike for miles along the sandy shoreline's path and check out Muscle Beach outdoor gym, beach volleyball, and eclectic shops in Venice.

• Average high: 74 degrees.
• Average low: 63 degrees.
• Average time mostly cloudy to cloudy: 18%, cloudy in the morning.
• Percent of days of measurable rain in summer: 0%.
• Average water temp: 67 degrees.
• Chance of a muggy day: 5%.

13. Medano Creek, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado

File: A park visitor hikes one of the many dunes early in the morning at Great Sand Dunes National Park  in Mosca, Colorado.  Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is known for huge dunes and the seasonal Medano Creek and beach created at the base of the dunes. These sand dunes are the tallest dunes in North America.  They are shaped by the forces of wind and water and are continuously moving and shifting. Medano creek flows through the dunes.

(Getty Images)

You have to hurry for this one because it is only a beach for part of the year.

"Medano Creek in Great Sand Dunes National Park is a wide, shallow river that emerges every spring and disappears every August," stated Travel and Leisure. "The creek is dependent on the amount of snow in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, since the runoff forms this annual phenomenon. Visitors can enjoy wading in the water, tubing, skimboarding, and building sand castles." 

• Average high: 78 degrees.
• Average low: 45 degrees.
• Average time mostly cloudy to cloudy: 32%.
• Percent of days of measurable rain in summer: 20%, rainiest late July through August.
• Chance of a muggy day: 0%.

14. North Beach, Tybee Island, Georgia

File: People walk on the Tybee Beach.  (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP) 

(Getty Images)

Tybee Island is just a half-hour car ride from Savannah, Georgia, and offers quiet, nature-filled serenity.

• Average high: 86 degrees.
• Average low: 74 degrees.
• Chance mostly cloudy to cloudy: 51%.
• Percent of days of measurable rain in summer: 46%.
• Average water temp: 81 degrees.
• Chance of a muggy day: 83%.

15. Good Harbor Beach, Gloucester, Massachusetts

File: A beachgoer crosses the footbridge from Nautilus Road to the sands of Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester, Mass.

(John Blanding/The Boston Globe  / Getty Images)

Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester, Massachusetts, which is the oldest continuously working fishing port in America, is part of the cape north of Cape Cod. You can explore the sand dunes and hermit crabs at low tide, then warm up your feet in the warm, sugar-white sand.

• Average high: 77 degrees.
• Average low: 62 degrees.
• Time skies are mostly cloudy to cloudy: 44%.
• Percent of days of measurable rain in summer: 28%.
• Average water temp: 62 degrees.
• Chance of a muggy day: 15%.

16. Rockaway Beach, Queens, New York

File: The beach is in Queens, one of Manhattan's five boroughs.

(Stephanie Keith / Getty Images)

Rockaway Beach is a breath of fresh air in the urban jungle of New York City. A quick subway or bus trip delivers you to 5 miles of action-packed boardwalk and sandy shore.

• Average high: 81 degrees.
• Average low: 69 degrees.
• Time skies are mostly cloudy to cloudy: 42%.
• Percent of days of measurable rain in summer: 32%.
• Average water temp: 71 degrees.
• Chance of a muggy day: 20%.

17. Crystal Lake State Park, Barton, Vermont

File: Crystal Lake In Autumn.

(Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group / Getty Images)

Crystal Lake is a 3-mile-long glacial lake that, in some areas, is more than 100 feet deep, according to Vermont's Agency of Natural Resources. You can enjoy about a mile of white sand. There is even a beach house made from granite mined east of the lake.

• Average high: 75 degrees.
• Average low: 53 degrees.
• Time skies are mostly cloudy to cloudy: 50%.
• Percent of days of measurable rain in summer: 37%.
• Average water temp: N/A
• Chance of a muggy day: 8%.

18. Gulf Shores Public Beach, Alabama

File: Playing in the Gulf of Mexico. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

The extension of the Florida Panhandle offers soft sand and the brilliant green waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Gulf Shores offers miles of family fun.

• Average high: 88 degrees.
• Average low: 74 degrees.
• Time skies are mostly cloudy to cloudy: 45%.
• Percent of days of measurable rain in summer: 50%.
• Average water temp: 84 degrees.
• Chance of a muggy day: 88%.

19. Park Point Beach, Duluth, Minnesota

(Parks and Recreation Duluth, Minnesota / FOX Weather)

Park Point Beach in Duluth is chock-full of superlatives. Not only is the beach the world's longest freshwater sandbar, but the water is Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world.

• Average high: 75 degrees.
• Average low: 58 degrees.
• Amount of time under mostly cloudy to cloudy: 44%.
• Percent of days of measurable rain in summer: 36%.
• Average water temp: 55 degrees.
• Chance of a muggy day: 5%.

20. Asbury Park Beach, New Jersey

File: Asbury Park is a city in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States, located on the Jersey Shore and part of the New York City Metropolitan Area. 

(Michael Black / Getty Images)

Whether you come for the beach or to enjoy history, Asbury Park has it. The Jersey Shore hot-spot's famous boardwalk was made even more so thanks to local rockers like Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi.

• Average high: 82 degrees.
• Average low: 67 degrees.
• Percent of time skies are mostly cloudy to cloudy: 44%.
• Percent of days of measurable rain in summer: 33%.
• Average water temp: 70 degrees.
• Chance of a muggy day: 16%.

21. Carmel Beach, Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

The Blue Pacific Meets Carmel River Beach Below A Cypress Tree (Cupressus Macrocarpa) Just South Of Carmel, California. (Photo By: Education Images/Universal Images Group)

(Getty Images)

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Carmel is a sandy break along the scenic rocky Central California coast. The downtown is a destination in itself. Then, visit the famed Pebble Beach and the iconic Big Sur natural wonders nearby. Travel and Leisure said to bring the dogs for an off-leash dip and picnic, complete with local wine, all allowed.

• Average high: 64 degrees.
• Average low: 54 degrees.
• Percent of time skies are mostly cloudy to cloudy: 20%, cloudy mornings in spring.
• Percent of days of measurable rain in summer: 0%.
• Average water temp: 56 degrees.
• Chance of a muggy day: 0%.

22. Coligny Beach Park, Hilton Head, South Carolina

(Hilton Head Island / FOX Weather)

Hilton Head, well known for golf resorts, offers beautiful beaches with dolphin swim-bys, too. Coligny Beach even has a splash fountain to make cleaning off sandy kids fun.

• Average high: 87 degrees.
• Average low: 75 degrees.
• Percent of time skies are mostly cloudy to cloudy: 50%.
• Percent of days of measurable rain in summer: 45%.
• Average water temp: 80 degrees.
• Chance of a muggy day: 89%.

23. Alki Beach, Seattle, Washington

File: The sun setting on Alki Beach with views of the Olympic Mountains and downtown Seattle.

(Seattle Parks and Recreation / FOX Weather)

You can watch the sunset on Seattle's Space Needle and Pike Place Market Place across the bay from Alki Beach. Travel and Leisure recommends nabbing a table at one of the waterfront restaurants for a sunset dinner.

• Average high: 75 degrees.
• Average low: 58 degrees.
• Percent of time skies are mostly cloudy to cloudy: 44%.
• Percent of days of measurable rain in summer: 17%.
• Average water temp: 80 degrees.
• Chance of a muggy day: 0%.

24. Ocean Beach Park, New London, Connecticut

Ocean Beach Park in New London is not only a half mile of sand, from which you can see Montauk, New York, on a clear day. The 50-acre recreational facility also hosts festivals, volleyball tournaments and bands in the evening through the summer.

• Average high: 76 degrees.
• Average low: 58 degrees.
• Percent of time skies are mostly cloudy to cloudy: 44%.
• Percent of days of measurable rain in summer: 29%.
• Average water temp: 65 degrees.
• Chance of a muggy day: 28%.

25. Coney Island Beach, Brooklyn, New York

File: People enjoy the sunshine at the beach in Coney Island in New York City. 

(JOHANNES EISELE/AFP / Getty Images)

Coney Island is a quick and nostalgic trip from New York City. Yes, there is a beach, but the boardwalk leads the way to the amusement park and the New York Aquarium. Anyone not from the New York Tri-State area is probably more familiar with events that Coney Island hosts, like the Polar Bear Plunge and the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest.

• Average high: 80 degrees.
• Average low: 68 degrees.
• Percent of time skies are mostly cloudy to cloudy: 44%.
• Percent of days of measurable rain in summer: 30%.
• Average water temp: 70 degrees.
• Chance of a muggy day: 25%.