As we ease into Q2, we know that group chats are lighting up with getaway ideas, whether for upcoming long weekends or extended vacations. In the U.S., when thinking about these getaways, Martha’s Vineyard is usually a popular escape choice, and understandably so, as it has long been a place rich in culture, tradition, and Black excellence. But beyond its familiar shores lies a number of other historically Black beach destinations that offer legacy and community. Many were safe havens during the Jim Crow era, catering specifically to African Americans, whose access to public beaches was restricted or outright denied.
This summer, whether you’re craving rest and relaxation or searching for a more cultural experience, consider adding some of these destinations to your travel itinerary. More than just sun and sand, they are about preserving stories, honoring resilience, and continuing traditions that shaped the Black experience.
Ocean City, North Carolina
Ocean City, North Carolina, is the state’s oldest, continuously sustained African American beach community. Established in 1949, it was developed as a haven for Black families to vacation in a safe environment and purchase coastal property, as they were unable to purchase property anywhere else on the coast. By 1979, Ocean City grew to about 100 homes owned by African Americans. Today, it remains a vibrant, thriving community that hosts many events, such as its annual Jazz Festival on the July 4th weekend.
Chicken Bone Beach, Atlantic City, New Jersey
In the early 1900s, Chicken Bone Beach, Atlantic City, was exclusively for African Americans and remained this way up until the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. During that time, it was a place that offered both recreation and entertainment, including performances from artists such as the Mills Brothers and Sammy Davis Jr. Its name comes from a tradition of families burying chicken bones in the sand after eating. In 1997, the beach, also known as the Missouri Avenue Beach, was declared a historical landmark. Its legacy continues to be preserved by the Chicken Bone Beach Historical Foundation.
American Beach, Florida
Located north of Jacksonville, Florida, American Beach was founded in 1935 by Abraham Lincoln Lewis, president of the Afro-American Life Insurance Company and Florida’s first Black millionaire. The beach community provided a safe and empowering space for Black families to vacation without harassment or discrimination. As the number of visitors to the 216-acre community grew, businesses providing food, lodging and entertainment emerged. Although the land today is half its original size, the American Beach Museum preserves its legacy.
Mosquito Beach, South Carolina
Located on the southern border of Sol Legare Island on James Island, South Carolina, Mosquito Beach was one of the few Black beaches in Charleston during the Jim Crow era. At a time when many African Americans were denied access to spaces because of segregation, it was a cultural, commercial, and recreational hub for the Black community in the Lowcountry. Mosquito Beach is part of the larger Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, which features many historically and culturally significant sites tied to the Gullah Geechee people.
Check out Part 1 of our curated list of Historically Black Beach getaways.
