Welcome to The Beach Directory
The Beach Directory (thebeachdirectory.com), a publication of Viking Trading Group LLC, is a United States coastal and lake beach planning directory covering more than 730 public beaches across 21 states. Our directory helps families, swimmers, surfers, kayakers, anglers, and campers verify practical access details before driving to the coast.
What Our Directory Covers
Scenic photos rarely tell you whether a beach has lifeguards on duty, whether the parking lot requires a resident town sticker or a state park day-use pass, or whether dogs are barred during shorebird nesting season. We organize beaches by state and by verified recreational activities, including swimming, surfing, tide pooling, kayaking, fishing, camping, bird watching, and 4×4 beach driving.
How We Source Beach & Water Data
Rather than relying on generic travel blurbs, our beach profiles and regional coastal guides draw from primary public agency sources:
- Official State Park, Municipal & Federal Portals: Day-use entrance fees, seasonal parking rates, operating hours, pet regulations, lifeguard schedules, and accessibility features (such as Mobi-Mats and beach wheelchairs) are verified against official state park agencies, National Seashore portals, and town recreation departments.
- NOAA Tides & Currents (CO-OPS): For ocean and bay beaches, we reference the nearest National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) tide prediction and water temperature monitoring stations so visitors can check real-time low-tide windows and seasonal water temperatures.
- EPA BEACON & State Water Quality Programs: Because bacterial water quality advisories and harmful algal bloom notices change daily, we link directly to state health and environmental monitoring portals and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) BEACON system rather than copying static readings.
- OpenStreetMap (ODbL) Facility Data: Mapped public restrooms, showers, drinking water stations, picnic shelters, and parking areas are cross-referenced with OpenStreetMap contributor data under the Open Database License (ODbL).
Editorial Independence, Corrections & Ownership
In addition to our beach listings and regional comparison guides, we publish coastal gear buyer guides (covering surfboards, stand-up paddleboards, open-water swim goggles, beach coolers, and sun shelters). Some gear guides include affiliate links that help support the directory at no additional cost to readers. Read our Editorial Policy and Affiliate Disclosure for full details.
Coastal rules, parking fees, and storm repairs change from season to season. If you spot a fee change, a seasonal closure, or a broken agency link, please let us know via our Contact Us page so we can verify and update the listing.
Publisher Information:
The Beach Directory is operated by Viking Trading Group LLC, 444a N Main Street, #300, East Longmeadow, MA 01028.