img#mv-trellis-img-1::before{padding-top:66.666666666667%; }img#mv-trellis-img-1{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-2::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-2{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-3::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-3{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-4::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-4{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-5::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-5{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-6::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-6{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-7::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-7{display:block;}Rather than following the path laid before you to the titans of tourism, such as Cancun, Cabo, Miami, and the like, fall is an excellent time to explore new shores.
No matter the time of year, globally renowned paradises draw a crowd. Of course, summer tends to be when travelers max out their PTO for a much-needed sunny vacay, only to get back to work during fall to build up their time off all over again.
We all know the one annoyance with summer is the challenge of scoring a barstool at swim-up bars, the perfect palm tree for your beach lounger, or even a parking space where it doesn’t feel like you’re lugging your cooler farther than Uncle Rico can toss a football.
We at Travel Off Path have 4 Southern beach towns just for you to enjoy what still feels like summer sun without a crowd in sight!
South Carolina’s Secret Island
Who Da Fuskie is South Carolina’s secret island? Well, let me tell ya!
Lying between popular Hilton Head and even more popular Savannah (Georgia) is little-known Daufuskie Island, a serene hideaway off the tourist path.
Known for its calm, hidden beaches wrapped in century-old Spanish moss oaks, as well as its surprising aspect of a rich Gullah-Geechee heritage still noticeable in day-to-day life, Charleston isn’t the only coastal escape oozing charm, history, and scenic shores.
Despite no traffic lights in town, many locals opt to get around by golf cart as the island only spans 5 miles, but within that short range is a treasure trove of delights, including highly-rated old-timey inns, picturesque ruins, and perhaps the town’s most favored stomping grounds, Silverdew Winery, set in the most unsuspecting building on the island.
The sun is still beaming this time of year, with temps still hovering in the 80s this month and gradually dwindling as we get closer to the holidays — perfect for squeezing in a quick getaway to enjoy Daufuskie’s footprint-free sand, where it’s said to be great for shelling and dolphin spotting.
Discover The Whitest Sand In Mississippi
We’ve said it once, twice, thrice, and we’ll say it again — Mississippi is booming!
Whether it be inland charmers like Meridian or coastal gems like Pascagoula, let’s turn it back before Mississippi became the South’s new vacation hotspot — and that would be the state’s most recognizable name, Biloxi.
According to Southern Living, this vibrant beach town laden with flashy resorts and casinos has the ‘whitest sand in Mississippi’, and continues to sparkle throughout fall with steady weather in the 70s and 80s.
While Mississippi may not have been blessed with crystal-clear waters like other Southern neighbors, beaches here are still enjoyable, just not suitable for snorkeling (unless you visit nearby Ship Island before it closes until spring).
There’s no shortage of places to stay here with household names such as Margaritaville, Hard Rock, and Golden Nugget, just to name a few.
Alabama’s Historical White-Sand Escape
Tucked further south than ever-so-popular Gulf Shores, is a small town boasting white-sand beaches and historical landmarks standing guard where Mobile Bay meets the Gulf.
Sharing the namesake of this under-hyped beach town, Fort Morgan is a significant 19th-century masonry fort, a key defensive stronghold in the Civil War.
The site is open year-round since the weather is so inviting, as are the surrounding shores, far less crowded than nearby Gulf Shores, which steals a majority of the shine away.
While Fort Morgan doesn’t offer the same flashy condo rentals and beachside hotels, there are vibrant beachside cottages available for rent on multiple local platforms and Airbnb.
Don’t sleep on Dauphin Island either, reachable by ferry a stone’s throw across the Pelican Bay.
Ample Parking & Clear Water: Southwest Florida’s Siesta Key Alternative
Craving tiki vibes, no crowds, and low-key Florida charm? The tight-lipped secret town of Nokomis awaits.
It doesn’t matter which beach you pull up to — Nokomis Beach or North Jetty Beach — you’re all but guaranteed a parking space and an easy walk to the perfect beach day.
Grill some burgers, snorkel the clear waters brimming with sea life, and if you’re around on a Wednesday or Saturday evening, take part in the talk of the town — the lively Drum Circle.
Hey, anything beats Fyre Festival…
The one place you may have trouble parking, however, is the always buzzing Pop’s Sunset Grill (get the ‘Steamship Pot’!), though Deep Lagoon in nearby Casey Key is a close second when it comes to fresh seafood with local favorites like Hogfish, cooked to perfection.
I just got back from Nokomis for the second time, and I may have enjoyed it even more this time around, as other popular beach towns just can’t replicate the local charm and easy beach access.
If you plan a visit, the good news is that you have plenty of time to soak up the sun, as Nokomis still tops out in the low 80s in November.
Sam SearsSam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
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