

Without any high rises or major resorts, the beaches here tend to be inhabited by locals and long-term vacationers, which creates a friendly, comfortable atmosphere. The turquoise-green waters that surround this 12 mile-long island off the Crystal Coast of North Carolina certainly justify the name. Flanked by picturesque cliffs to the left and a nostalgic lighthouse to the right, Twin Lakes is one of the few Santa Cruz beaches that does not have a huge surf break, lots of seaweed, and lots of people, which in turn makes it an ideal spot to break out your surf wax and lather up your skimboard.įind a vacation rental in Santa Cruz, California Located along the popular West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz, this serene California beach is well-loved by locals. The compact, rockless sand is perfect for skimming and the mellow atmosphere enhances the experience.įind a vacation rental on Kiawah Island, South Carolina While sand dunes mark the beach a few hundred yards from the water, there is virtually no slope to the water closer to the shoreline. Located in South Carolina 15 miles south of Charleston, this small barrier island is best known for its golf courses, marshes, wildlife, and, of course, pristine beaches. This hidden gem is the perfect place for beginners, with virtually no waves or other interferences.įind a vacation rental near Chapel Beach, Michigan Nearby Miners Beach and Twelvemile Beach are larger and more popular, but Chapel Hill will give you breathtaking views of waterfalls and the iconic Chapel Rock. While the sandy beach area is on the smaller side, it is likely that there will only be one or two other people on the beach. Part of the the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan, Chapel Beach is a tucked away inlet of Lake Superior. If this beach gets too crowded for you, try Footbridge Beach (only accessible via footbridge) directly adjacent to this hotspot.įind a vacation rental on Ogunquit Beach, Maine The tidal river behind the beach makes the changing tides extreme and swift, which results in the characteristic shallow sandbar areas that are perfect for skimboarding. Now, Ogunquit is a popular vacation destination in Maine, with 3.5 miles of white sand and a vibrant main street immediately behind it. In fact, the scenery is so stunning that it inspired an artist colony to form there in the 19th century. Ogunquit fittingly translates to “beautiful place by the sea" in the indigenous Abenaki people's language. One of Nantucket's best kept secrets, you will have plenty of space to spread out anytime of the day.įind a vacation rental on Madaket Beach, Massachusetts Even then, skimboarders like to challenge themselves to venture from the traditional “flatboarding" method and ride directly into the surf to catch a wave. This quintessential New England beach near Nantucket can have a bit of a surf break at times, though it is often gentler than most other places on the island. No need to fret, though! We have complied a list of the best places to start perfecting your form. With all that kind of criteria, skimboarding beaches might as well be called the “Goldilocks" of the water sport circuit.
#Skim boarding free
They need to be relatively flat, free of rocks and seaweed, not too crowded, and have a break that leaves a thin layer of placid water on the shoreline.

Optimal skimboarding beaches are hard to come by, but we have you covered.
