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Beaches in Alaska

22 beaches in Alaska with photography planning data — sunrise and sunset azimuths, golden hour by month, Milky Way windows and estimated sky darkness. Aleutians West Census Area has the most (20). The darkest skies are at Nunathloogagamiutbingoi Dunes (Bortle 1).

Top beaches

Beach
Nunathloogagamiutbingoi DunesBethel Census Area
Bartlett Cove Beach RocksBeach
Bartlett Cove Beach RocksHoonah-Angoon Census Area
Beach
Sonom BeachAleutians West Census Area
Beach
Fox BeachAleutians West Census Area
Beach
Chirikof BeachAleutians West Census Area
Beach
Alexai BeachAleutians West Census Area
Beach
Elliott BeachAleutians West Census Area
Beach
Massacre BeachAleutians West Census Area
Beach
West BeachAleutians West Census Area
Beach
Parrot BeachAleutians West Census Area
Beach
Schuler BeachAleutians West Census Area
Beach
Sarana BeachAleutians West Census Area

Beaches by county

All beaches (22)

NameCountyElevationNearest townSky
Nunathloogagamiutbingoi DunesBethel Census Area4 m1
Bartlett Cove Beach RocksGlacier BayHoonah-Angoon Census Area—Juneau1
Sonom BeachAleutians West Census Area1 m1
Fox BeachAleutians West Census Area31 m1
Chirikof BeachAleutians West Census Area136 m1
Alexai BeachAleutians West Census Area15 m1
Elliott BeachAleutians West Census Area8 m1
Massacre BeachAleutians West Census Area1 m1
West BeachAleutians West Census Area1 m1
Parrot BeachAleutians West Census Area34 m1
Schuler BeachAleutians West Census Area10 m1
Sarana BeachAleutians West Census Area10 m1
Red BeachAleutians West Census Area2 m1
Foggy BeachAleutians West Census Area17 m1
Gainor BeachAleutians West Census Area18 m1
Hidalgo BeachAleutians West Census Area25 m1
Kearney BeachAleutians West Census Area6 m1
Eckman BeachAleutians West Census Area48 m1
Canary BeachAleutians West Census Area34 m1
Temnac BeachAleutians West Census Area1 m1
Big Mike BeachAleutians West Census Area4 m1
Little Kiska BeachAleutians West Census Area7 m1

Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).

Map

How to photograph beaches

Beaches facing east suit sunrise and west-facing beaches suit sunset; wet sand mirrors the sky color during golden hour.

  • Time visits around low tide to reveal tide pools, sea stacks and reflective sand — check the tide widget below.
  • Slow shutter speeds (0.5–2 s) turn receding waves into streaks that lead toward the horizon.
  • Watch for sneaker waves; never turn your back on the ocean on exposed coasts.
  • Salt spray coats lenses quickly; wipe often and rinse gear afterward.
  • Fog and marine layers can make minimalist images; don't give up on grey days.

Season: Winter storms bring dramatic surf on Pacific coasts; summer and autumn sunsets are popular on Atlantic and Gulf beaches.