With uncrowded sands and small-town vibes, a North Carolina beach leads a new list of America’s calmest shores.

There are many ways to judge a beach: the softness of its sand, the clarity of its water, the quality of the surf, or nearby activities and dining. But for those seeking a peaceful escape, free from crowds and rogue volleyballs, tranquility is key. And when it comes to calm and quiet, one lesser-known U.S. beach stands out.

Holden Beach in North Carolina has been named the calmest beach in the U.S., according to a study by McLuck, a social casino platform.

The team analyzed approximately 250,000 TripAdvisor reviews from 158 beaches nationwide, tracking how often words like “calm,” “quiet,” and “relax” appeared. Based on the percentage of reviews that mentioned these terms, Holden Beach emerged as the most serene destination of them all.

Holden Beach is a quiet seaside town between North Carolina’s more popular coastal destinations of Wilmington and Myrtle Beach. The town has just over 500 people and is primarily a residential community with a small commercial area. For that reason, beachgoers are treated to plenty of open space, natural beauty, and a welcome lack of buzzy beachfront boardwalks. In fact, in the study, over 38 percent of the Holden Beach reviews mentioned calmness. 

In its findings, the study noted that at Holden Beach, “uncrowded sands, small-town charm, and strict limits on commercial development may explain why so many people find it a peaceful haven. It's a classic Carolina beach town where time seems to slow down with the tide.”