Parents get it. While any beach can serve as an afternoon paradise, it takes a special blend of scenery, sand and amenities to make it stand apart as a great option for families. With that in mind, I've rounded up five of my absolute favorite beaches that not only meet my picky criteria, but also fall into the "entirely unexpected" category. 

Because for many of us, spring break is just around the corner but even if you don't have kids in school, there's certainly nothing wrong with a little beach inspo. 😉 In addition to the top surprising beach picks, I've rounded up the buys that we've tried, tested and approved for days near the water—and most all of them are on sale! And in an effort to leave you daydreaming, I'm also highlighting a coastal resort in Spain that you've got to add to your family travel list...

5 Unexpected and Stunning Family Beaches

Our favorite underrated and totally unexpected beach finds for families really span the gamut. We’ve got lobster rolls, cliffs and turtles to get to, so let’s go!

Odeceixe, Portugal
At the bottom of a small hillside town in Portugal, you'll find this far-reaching and shallow beach that stretches alongside a dramatic cliff on one side. Depending on the tide, the water line fluctuates drastically, but at points in the day, a lazy river develops, wrapping around most of the beach and becoming the perfect place for littles to splash about. (Careful, there’s a nude beach nearby, so know where you’re going!)

Ogunquit, Maine
Set against an idyllic east coast town, this expansive beach is a dream, with easily packed sand that will have you not only inspired to run circles and dance around, but trace names and shapes till your heart's content. Most appealing, perhaps, is the stroller-friendly cliff walk called Marginal Way that originates just off the beach. On it, you can leisurely stroll past straight-out-of-a-magazine seafront homes before ending your day with a lobster roll from Footbridge Lobster.

Sauble Beach, Ontario, Canada
The second longest freshwater beach in the world, this is one lengthy stretch of sand. We love that you can usually find parking all along it, making it easy to lug all of the gear that families need and also seek out a space to yourself, farther from the town-center crowds. After a day in the sun, you can mosey into the adorable town that anchors it—Sauble Beach—where you'll find the retro gem,, from Netflix's Motel Makeover.

Poipu Beach Park, Kauai, Hawaii
Of course, any Hawaii beach is a dream, but this one stands apart for a few reasons. First, it's tucked in a largely residential area of Kauai, making it a lovely respite that doesn't feel overly trampled by tourists. Secondly, it offers a lifeguard on duty—a rarity on the islands! And third, it's where you'll find seals and sea turtles making their way to shore each evening to sleep, well protected by volunteers who rope off their areas as they arrive. Naturally, you'll find shave ice nearby as well as the area's legendary "puka dogs!"

Baska Voda, Croatia
Lined with cafes and shops, this stone beach is beyond charming, looking out onto a crystal clear sea, with mountains framing the skyline behind it. Our kids loved playing with the stones and splashing in water that was some of the clearest I've seen. And we were all appreciative to stroll the town and stop into one of the beachside cafes for a cold drink and bite before settling in for a sunset swim. 

Sunscreen Brushes: Yes, I realize these look like a waste of money but LET ME TELL YOU. They are the only thing that has made applying sunscreen to my children’s bodies not horrible. In fact, they make it… fun. I swear to you. Plus, the caps make it easy to toss them back into your beach bag without getting everything sticky. (On sale! $19)

UPF 50 Sun Hat: For the littlest ones, this high-quality hat protects bald or fine-haired heads and holds up beautifully. It’s stretchy nylon, so a quick spritz or dunk in the water also helps cool down kiddos on hot days, while a tie-able strap keeps it in place.
(On sale! $19)

Roll-Up Water Bottles: These silicon water bottles are such a godsend. When you’re not using them, they roll up easily and stow away without wasting an inch of space. They’re easy for little hands to hold and offer a spout that helps prevent spills. A total travel must have. ($19)

Target Kids Swim Shoes: This flexible shoe from Target lasts us the whole season (we’ve tried several higher-priced brands that haven’t!). It’s easy on, easy off, but stays put in the water. (On sale! $13.50)

Baby Float with Canopy: As long as you don’t need to deflate it, this baby float is one of the best, with a soft foam base and a handy canopy that keeps babe out of the sun when they rip off their hats. (But that never happens, right?) (On sale! $60)

Backpack Cooler: Have you ever found yourself groaning as you dragged one of those fancy name coolers that weigh a gazillion pounds to your beach spot? I have. And I’m over it. This backpack style holds just enough and keeps it all ice cold for the full day. (Starts at $90)

Collapsible Sand Toys: These handy buckets shrink down in size, making them easy to toss into an oversize bag or backpack along with a shovel for a beach stop. (On sale! $20)

Luxury (and fam-friendly) on the coast of Spain

Founded in 1954 by Prince Alfonso von Hohenlohe, this beach resort in Southern Spain is a luxurious and family-friendly escape. For Goldilocks types that want to avoid mega resorts but have access to posh amenities, this fits the bill while offering a selection of 115 guestrooms and 17 vacation rental villas. Its kids club is spacious and laced with wellness inspired activities for ages four through 14 (think a children's vegetable garden, perfumerie and cooking classes). Children under four can attend with a parent, and separate nanny service is available. Baby equipment – travel cots, bottle warmers and more – are available upon request.

Eight restaurants and bars dot the property, as does a seawater pool, beach, gym, spa, golf, botanical gardens and tennis courts.

Not the perfect fit for you? (Are you crazy?! Just kidding.) You can scope out our curated list of other family-friendly luxury properties, or resorts that offer childcare, too.

See more photos of this epic property on Instagram: @marbellaclubh

Need more ideas? The Kid-Friendly Stays travel directory is the perfect first stop in your next family vacation adventure, wherever you wanna go(!), offering a curated collection of hotels, resorts, Airbnbs and VRBOs for your perusal.

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