5 Stunning Beach Getaways To Avoid The Crowds This Summer

With July 4th fireworks set to light up our night skies, countless Americans will be relaxing lakeside or beachside, enjoying the come-down of a fun day spent on sun-drenched shores.

The problem is you’re likely crammed in like sardines, all ooh-ing and ahh-ing at the same colorful displays we look forward to each year.

But let your 3-day weekend be the last of that this summer. We at Travel Off Path have covered the globe, and it’s safe to say we love presenting the lesser-known to lure you away from both the hustle and bustle of major metropolises and iconic beach destinations.

We’ve rounded up the 5 best beach getaways (both international and domestic) that we believe will instantly captivate you by avoiding the unsightly crowds this summer.

Allow me to be your guide (free of charge) as I’ve visited all 5 of them!

Let’s start at home, shall we? 

Oceanside, California

Being a San Diegan, there’s one town that’s been on my radar as of late and I’m certainly not the only one.

Known for being one of America’s prettiest regions, there aren’t many places across San Diego County with run-down communities, but Oceanside was one of them.

Over the past few years, O’side as locals call it, has undergone a much-needed glow-up, where  newfound hype has put this underrated beach town back on the map, but not enough to deter you away because of crowds.

With San Diego proper being notoriously expensive (anyone wanna help out with rent?), Oceanide was actually named California’s most affordable beach city.

You’ll find more elbow room along equally beautiful beaches compared to neighboring towns, under-hyped waterfront resorts, trendy new restaurants, seafood markets, and the option to explore O’side itself, make a 25-minute drive to Orange County, or hit up the usual attractions in San Diego 45 minutes away.

Nokomis, Florida

Despite breaking tourism records seemingly every year, doesn’t it seem like Florida gets smaller and smaller, as if all the hidden gems have been covered?

That’s why I present to you: Nokomis. 

This little-known hideaway, offering similar sugar-white sand to nearby icon Siesta Key, has ample parking, spacious beaches, and fun tiki bars that don’t feel cheesy.

Nor is there a noticeable retiree crowd making you question what your future might look like if you keep staying at Margaritaville’s — it’s a nice mix of young, middle-aged, and those living out their best “golden years”.

You won’t find beachfront resorts here, but there are familiar chains in town. Nokomis is easily accessible from other popular beach towns, making it a great day trip to escape the beach crowds without sacrificing the paradisal scenery we expect from Florida’s vibrant shores.

And don’t skip the drum circles!

Hellshire Beach, Jamaica

Now, it’s time to pack your passport! You could easily follow the crowds to Montego Bay and Negril, and who knows, maybe it’s the best trip of your life.

My question to you is, why would you visit arguably the Caribbean’s most cultural island without experiencing the heart and soul of Jamaica?

Let’s face it — Kingston probably isn’t on your wishlist given its sketchy reputation, but I’m here to tell you it’s not all doom and gloom, especially as the U.S. State Department lowered Jamaica’s advisory back to ‘Level 2’.

Discovering Hellshire Beach remains to this day one of my biggest surprises in my travels. Located about 25 minutes from downtown Kingston, Hellshire is an easy Uber ride away (though you might need to grab a cab back — that’s how off-the-radar it is for tourists).

This dirt road cul-de-sac is lined with seafood shacks serving every fresh catch imaginable, but the lobster and fried fish fillets were sensational (just beware of overpriced menus — you can haggle).

The waters are bright Caribbean blue, like much of Jamaica’s renowned coastline, except Hellshire has a true, authentic feel with reggae blasting and locals enjoying a nice swim in, since most Jamaicans aren’t permitted to enjoy their own pristine beaches due to private property restrictions when resorts take over.

Portobelo, Panama

The Panama Canal takes a lot of shine away from the rest of the country, but don’t let this modern marvel take away from the true magic of Panama, just as you wouldn’t let the Eiffel Tower take away from Paris’s essence.

Panama is very American-friendly; that’s why so many expats move here. But Panama’s coastline is still far overlooked.

I had the pleasure of taking Copa Airlines’ first-ever flight to San Diego, direct to Panama City.

Though it wasn’t the bustling metropolis’s waterfront that blew my mind — it was a 2-hour trip to what our insightful guide, Nico, from Ancon Expeditions, took us to, which he described as ‘a place no tourists go’.

Upon arriving to UNESCO-protected Portobelo, you’re welcomed by the fascinating ruins dating back to the 1600’s and Casa Congo, an equally fascinating all-in-one modern art gallery, delicious restaurant, and hotel, plus Iglesia de San Felipe, a timeless church representing what locals refer to as “Black Jesus” since this side of Panama is 80% Afro-Caribbean.

Though I wrote this on a Sunday, I’m not here to take you to church. Where you really want to go is a quick boat charter to the beach, where you can snorkel, kick back in a lounger, swing along the water, and indulge yourself with a cold cerveza and fresh batches of locally-sourced seafood (though it’s advised not to eat the “baby lobster”).

We saw stingrays, eels, colorful schools of fish, and coral reefs, as well as sloths napping under canopies and iguanas running wild.

Portobelo is truly undiscovered by the masses.

Mahahual, Mexico

Well, normally we’d say Cancun is jam-packed right now and it still may be at certain resorts, but the seaweed crisis likely has fewer visitors at the beach and more hitting up the swim-up bars.

Any way you slice it, Mahahual is one of the Mexican Caribbean’s best-kept secrets. This hidden Costa Maya village on the flip side of a jungle-laden highway is lined with boutique hotels and eco-lodges in walking distance to the beach.

If you take a stroll beyond the quaint townscape of shops, buzzing beach bars, hole-in-the-wall eats, you’ll discover crowd-free coves with Caribbean blue waters as your own secluded paradise.

The only downside you may encounter is if sargassum reaches Mahahual’s shores, there’s likely not a huge clean-up effort like you see in places like Punta Cana and Cancun.

It’s best to stay up to date with local publications or keep an eye out on The Cancun Sun detailing the Mexican government’s approach to the seaweed invasion.