Whether you’re looking for the best skimboarding challenge or a safe place to practice as a beginner, the following guide will help.
We’ll look at the best skimboarding beaches in the United States, as well as the features that make these locations ideal.
Where Can You Skimboard?
For sand skimming, look for smooth and flat sand. For skimming on shallow water, you need a strong shore break that carries big waves back to the shore.
Sand skimming locations are easier to find, but for water skimboarding, you’ll need somewhere with slightly downward sloping sand and waves that curl close to the shore, allowing you to surf out, turn around, and then ride the wave back to the beach.
Can You Skimboard Anywhere?
You can sand skim anywhere with low levels of water. It is possible at beaches, but also at creeks.
For water skimming, it’s a little trickier. Check out the lists below to find the best skimboarding locations in the United States, several of which actually host major skimboarding events, and if they’re good enough for the pros, they’re good enough for the rest of us!
The Best Skimboarding Beaches in California
California is the home of skimboarding and still has the best skimboarding spots in the country.
Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach is where skimboarding began, with lifeguards using boards to skip along the beach faster. It’s a piece of watersports history and you can even take some lessons from Solag Skim School.
Malibu Lagoon State Beach
Located a short trek from downtown Malibu, this is a pristine beach known as “Surfrider Beach”. As the name suggests, it’s a popular wave riding spot and is great for both skimboarders and surfing.
Venice Beach
Venice Beach might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think about skimming waves, but the flat sands provide some great opportunities. Of course, it’s also very busy, so you’ll need to visit early or late if you don’t want to be swamped by tourists.
The Wedge, Newport Beach
Located in Newport Beach, The Wedge is popular as a bodyboarding, bodysurfing, and skimboarding destination.
Twin Lakes State Beach
Twin Lakes State Beach is a relaxed Santa Cruz beach that’s popular with locals. There are rarely any tourists clogging the beaches and you won’t find a big surf break either.
The gentle waves, clean shore, and minimal occupants make it perfect for skimboarding.
The Best Skimboarding Beaches in Florida
Florida has some of the best beaches in the United States. They’re usually packed with locals and tourists, but there are still plenty of locations where you can skimboard in peace, including:
Fort Lauderdale Beach
The beach at Fort Lauderdale is flat and long. It’s also not as crowded as some other beaches on this list and is both clean and beautiful—perfect for skimboarding.
Vilano Beach
The high tides and steep beach mean that Vilano Beach isn’t ideal for beginners, but this is a skimboarding paradise for experienced riders. It also hosts the Florida Skimboarding Pro/Am, attracting dozens of the best boarders from across the country.
Cocoa Beach Pier
At low tide, the flat beach and smooth sand make this one of the best skimboarding spots in the United States. You’ll get a smoother and longer ride, with plenty of space to practice your skills.
Manasota Beach
Manasota Beach is in Englewood, Florida. It’s long, wide, and features heavy sand slides, beautiful blue waters, and plenty of local skimboarders.
The Best Skimboarding Beaches Elsewhere in the US
As you move away from California and Florida, your options are fewer, but there are still some great coastal locations where you can practice your skimboarding.
Dewey Beach, Delaware
Easily one of the best skimboarding spots in the US, Dewey Beach hosts a number of top events and riders every year. It’s also a great place to be in general, with plenty of shops, hotels, and eateries nearby.
Dewey Beach is also famous for its nightlife, including live music and festivals.
Skaket Beach, Massachusetts
Visit Skaket Beach during low tide for a ride like no other. This is when the sandbars appear and you’ll have long stretches of shallow water with very few boarders getting in the way.
Emerald Isle, North Carolina
A 12-mile stretch of water so-named because of its beautiful turquoise waters. It’s not a typical tourist destination, so most beach goers are locals, making for a more relaxed and friendlier atmosphere.
If you want to ride waves away from the chaos of popular tourist destinations, this NC location could be perfect.
Kiwah Island, South Carolina
This barrier island is around 15 miles from Charleston and is known for its beautiful wildlife, clean beaches, and golf courses. The flat and compact shoreline, along with the relaxed and scenic atmosphere, makes it ideal for practicing this sport.
Madaket Beach, Massachusetts
Located near Nantucket, this spot offers plenty of space and the occasional surf break, providing a challenge for skimboarders and offering a unique experience.
Ogunquit Beach, Maine
There are several miles of shore to explore here and every inch is covered in beautiful white sands and tides that change dramatically and swiftly. It’s a little more crowded than some of the other options, but it really depends on the date and time that you visit.
St. George, Utah
Drop by this skimboarding location during the spring or summer to enjoy the best ride for miles around.
Of course, there are no beaches in Utah, but you can skimboard on rivers as well and that’s what makes this location unique when compared to the others on this list.
Dash Point State Park, Washington
Wait until the tide is low and enjoy some shore riding at this skimboarding spot. The beach can be rocky in places, though, so keep an eye out and make sure you’re riding somewhere safe.
Chapel Beach, Michigan
An inlet of Lake Superior, Chapel Beach is very small and not very popular. There are usually just a couple of people on the beach, so it’s worth a visit if you want to practice your skimboarding away from others.
