The South's Best Hidden Beaches

Caladesi Island, Florida

A remote, tropical getaway not too far from the mainland, the barrier island of Caladesi can only be reached by private boat or 20-minute ferry ride ($14 round-trip for adults, $7 for children) from Hollywood Island, just north of Clearwater. Because it's not accessible by car, you'll find the idyllic expanses of beach at this state park quite vacant and prime territory for stretching out and spending a day wading in the sparkling emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Note: Unless you're staying overnight, you only get a four-hour window on the tiny isle. Pack a picnic spread and utilize the covered pavilion and grill. If you forgot supplies, you'll find a cantina and gift shop on site, as well as a playground for the little ones, a 108-slip marina, campgrounds and other amenities. Insider tip: Rent a kayak and go for a leisurely paddle among the thick mangrove trees.
visitflorida.com

Chincoteague Beach, Virginia

You can't beat 37 miles of wide, open beachfront property upon which wild horses run free. Yes, that's right, a band of shaggy, tousled Chincoteague Ponies have inhabited Assateague Island National Seashore (admission is $8 per vehicle)—the sliver of park divided between Virginia and Maryland—for hundreds of years and coexist peacefully with vacationers who come to spend their days beside the Atlantic Ocean. If you're heading there this month, you're in for a treat: July 26 and 27 is the Pony Roundup led by the local "Saltwater Cowboys," leading up to the July 30 Chincoteague Pony Swim and parade, followed by the Pony Auction on July 31. Just don't leave Chincoteague without paying a visit to Island Creamery to sample the 36 sinful flavors of homemade ice cream and sherbet on tap.

Bonus: Driving in to the island, you'll pass NASA's Flight Facility, Wallops Island. Stop by the visitor's center to poke around the free exhibits or maybe even catch a rocket launch. chincoteague.com

Boneyard Beach, South Carolina

Located on Edisto Island, a winding 45-mile drive west of Charleston, Botany Bay Plantation is 3,363 acres of pristine beach and marsh maintained by the state department of natural resources. Entry is free, and fishermen, in particular, love this secluded spot as they don't have to compete for inshore boat space. Families dig making the half-mile trek to the unspoiled Boneyard Beach—a deserted stretch of shoreline punctuated by tidal pools and dramatic, hollow tree skeletons—to unearth massive shells and fossils. Bring bug spray and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife like turkeys, deer and bald eagles. There are no bathrooms or amenities near the beach, so if you need a break from the sun, stop by the Serpentarium where you can watch the daily alligator feedings and listen to an educational presentation on reptiles native to the area (admission is $14 for adults, $10 for children). bullsislandferry.com

Topsail Island, North Carolina

There's no better place to get a feel for North Carolina's rugged, dramatic coastline than Topsail Island, an easy 30-mile drive up the coast from Wilmington. If you steer clear of the pier at Surf City, you'll find the surrounding beaches crowd-free, though there are plenty of nearby condo complexes and rental homes from which to make your base. Don't mind the abandoned watchtowers: They're leftover from a top-secret, post-World War II experimental project, Operation Bumblebee, to develop missiles. For a dose of cute, visit the Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center ($5 for adults, $3 for children).

Fun fact: North Carolina is rich in pirate history, and legend has it that Blackbeard buried his treasure somewhere here along Topsail's 26 miles of coastline. topsailbeach.org