Top beaches
BeachCarr's Beach
BeachBeach to Bay Heritage Area
BeachBare Neck Shore
BeachBay Ridge Beach
BeachBelcamp Beach
BeachCedar Grove Beach
BeachConquest Beach
BeachCove Point Beach
BeachGibson Island Beach
BeachLane Beach
BeachLangford Sand
BeachMaryland Beach
Beaches by county
All beaches (23)
| Name | County | Elevation | Nearest town | Sky |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carr's Beach | Anne Arundel County | — | Hillsmere Shores | 7 |
| Beach to Bay Heritage AreaChesapeake Bay | Worcester County | — | Berlin | 5 |
| Bare Neck Shore | Anne Arundel County | 2 m | Shady Side | 6 |
| Bay Ridge Beach | Anne Arundel County | 6 m | Hillsmere Shores | 6 |
| Belcamp Beach | Harford County | 3 m | Riverside | 6 |
| Cedar Grove Beach | Dorchester County | 2 m | Cambridge | 4 |
| Conquest Beach | Queen Anne's County | 1 m | Centreville | 5 |
| Cove Point Beach | Calvert County | 1 m | Chesapeake Ranch Estates-Drum Point | 5 |
| Gibson Island Beach | Anne Arundel County | 1 m | Cape Saint Claire | 6 |
| Lane Beach | Saint Mary's County | 1 m | Leonardtown | 4 |
| Langford Sand | Somerset County | 2 m | Crisfield | 3 |
| Maryland Beach | Worcester County | 1 m | Bethany Beach | 4 |
| Mount Vernon Beach | Somerset County | 4 m | Princess Anne | 4 |
| North Severn Beach | Anne Arundel County | 4 m | Naval Academy | 7 |
| Piney Point Beach | Saint Mary's County | 1 m | Lexington Park | 4 |
| Port Sunlight Beach | Saint Mary's County | 1 m | Cobb Island | 4 |
| Roachs Shore | Cecil County | -1 m | Charlestown | 5 |
| Saint Jerome Beach | Saint Mary's County | 2 m | Lexington Park | 4 |
| Sound Shore | Somerset County | 1 m | Crisfield | 3 |
| Triton Beach | Anne Arundel County | 2 m | Mayo | 6 |
| Wickes Beach | Kent County | 1 m | Chester | 5 |
| Wicomico Beach | Charles County | 4 m | Cobb Island | 4 |
| Wild Rose Shores | Anne Arundel County | 4 m | Robinwood | 7 |
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.