Closest Beaches

Beaches Near Washington, DC

The closest real beach to DC is about 45 minutes east — and the answer is rarely Ocean City. Chesapeake Bay beaches on the Western Shore are the practical day-trip move: less traffic, less parking stress, and water that's usually swimmable earlier in the season.

Kings Landing Park

25 mi · ~36 min drive

Skip the beach today.

64°F water 60°F air 10 to 17 mph wind

Beverly Triton Nature Park

29 mi · ~42 min drive

Skip the beach today.

66°F water 57°F air 10 to 16 mph wind

Mayo Beach Park

29 mi · ~42 min drive

Skip the beach today.

66°F water 55°F air 14 to 22 mph wind

North Beach

31 mi · ~44 min drive

Skip the beach today.

66°F water 60°F air 10 to 16 mph wind

Brownies Beach (Bayfront Park)

31 mi · ~45 min drive

Skip the beach today.

66°F water 60°F air 10 to 16 mph wind

Breezy Point Beach

34 mi · ~49 min drive

Skip the beach today.

64°F water 58°F air 10 to 16 mph wind

Fort Smallwood Park

35 mi · ~50 min drive

Skip the beach today.

63°F water 57°F air 12 to 21 mph wind

Sandy Point State Park

35 mi · ~51 min drive

Skip the beach today.

66°F water 56°F air 13 to 22 mph wind

Downs Park

36 mi · ~52 min drive

Skip the beach today.

63°F water 60°F air 10 to 17 mph wind

Matapeake Beach & Dog Park

37 mi · ~53 min drive

Skip the beach today.

66°F water 56°F air 15 to 25 mph wind

Drive times are estimates

Mileage is straight-line distance from the center of Washington. Real drive times depend on Bay Bridge traffic, seasonal congestion, and your starting point inside the metro. For summer weekends, assume 20-40 minutes longer than posted times here, especially for beaches east of the Bay Bridge.