The Best Hidden Gem Beaches Near 30A 🐚🌾

Why Go Off the Beaten Beach Path?

Sure, the 30A favorites like Seaside and Rosemary are stunning — but sometimes, you want a quiet cove, a secluded stretch of sand, or a peaceful place to breathe in the salty air without a crowd. These lesser-known beaches near 30A are perfect for sunrise strolls, shelling, dolphin spotting, or just laying out a towel and letting time slow down.

Deer Lake State Park Beach

Tucked between Seagrove and WaterSound, this is a true hidden treasure. You’ll take a scenic boardwalk over a coastal dune ecosystem before reaching a pristine, undeveloped beach. It’s wide, wild, and totally peaceful.

✔️ Great for nature lovers and photographers
✔️ Minimal crowds, especially during the week
✔️ Ideal for quiet reading or romantic walks
✔️ Fee to park, but well worth it

Bonus: You’ll often spot shorebirds and sometimes even deer on your walk in.

Grayton Beach’s Secret Side

Most visitors head to the main Grayton Beach access, but locals know to slip around to the west end, near the outflow of Western Lake. Here, the beach meets a calm, shallow stream that’s fun for kids to play in and stunning for sunset photos.

✔️ Soft waves, shallow areas, and less foot traffic
✔️ Natural driftwood and dune views
✔️ Excellent for families or chill beach picnics
✔️ Free street parking nearby if you know where to look

Bring a paddleboard and glide the outflow for a dreamy afternoon adventure.

Blue Mountain Beach’s Quiet Entrances

Blue Mountain Beach has a central public access point — but if you wander just a bit, you’ll find smaller neighborhood-access walkovers that open up to nearly empty stretches of sand. These are ideal for locals and guests staying nearby.

✔️ Beautiful views and turquoise water
✔️ Great shell hunting after a storm
✔️ Calm vibe, even during peak season
✔️ Limited parking = fewer people

Check out access points along Blue Lupine Way or through the Retreat neighborhood area if you’re staying nearby.

Gulf Lakes Public Access

Between Seacrest and Inlet Beach lies a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it entrance to Gulf Lakes Beach, a quiet, untouched patch of coast with no major amenities — just sand, sea, and the sound of waves.

✔️ Hidden and peaceful
✔️ Ideal for a quiet couples’ beach day
✔️ Bring your own everything — no facilities
✔️ Great shelling and minimal crowds

Perfect for sunrise meditation or journaling in the sand with coffee in hand.

Camp Creek Lake Outflow

Located near Watersound and tucked beside private communities, this coastal dune lake outflow area creates a naturally shallow “lagoon” that kids love to splash in. The beach here feels wild and windswept — the way nature intended.

✔️ Quiet and scenic
✔️ Fun for kids to explore the lake-meets-Gulf area
✔️ Very limited parking — walk or bike if you can
✔️ One of the few places to see a dune lake and beach in one view

Go early or late to catch golden hour light and avoid any beach club traffic.

Final Thoughts

Sometimes the best beaches are the ones that don’t show up on postcards or Instagram feeds. Along 30A, there’s no shortage of peaceful shores, secret boardwalks, and tucked-away spots where the world slows down and the waves feel like they’re crashing just for you.

Need help finding the best hidden beach near your rental, or want a romantic picnic map with all the secret sand spots? I’ve got the local scoop — just ask!