Forget Myrtle Beach, Escape To These 5 Lesser-Known Spring Break Destinations Instead

Myrtle Beach can be a pain during spring break. Ok, maybe that's a bit too harsh, but the South Carolina destination has deservedly risen in stature as travelers discover its abundant beaches, 1.3-mile boardwalk, and relaxed vibes. But popularity comes at a price, and Myrtle Beach is now also synonymous with crowds and the ills of tourism. So much so that Reddit can't seem to shut up about it, with threads titled "Is Myrtle Beach a 'dump'?" Luckily for those skeptical about visiting, or if you're just tired of the place, there are five lesser-known spring break destinations to consider instead.

To be fair, Myrtle Beach is hard to replicate. It is, after all, one of America's favorite getaways, known for its ability to cater to all income groups. The South Carolina destination has, with its sustained popularity and relative affordability, managed to expand its amenities to include a robust music and nightlife scene, golf courses, Michelin Star-worthy eateries, and a seaside arcade with mini golf and go-karts. Realistically, though, who can enjoy all those in a single trip? Thankfully, some variation of all of these activities can be found in locations around the country and beyond, with an abundance of sandy beaches and relaxed vibes as prerequisites.

You may notice the list tends to favor Florida's islands, and for good reason. The state's sheer volume of coastline, about 8,500 miles, makes it virtually impossible for all of them to be overrun by spring breakers. Statistically, the number of top-rated Florida islands you can visit on vacation keeps the odds of finding a crowd-free, gorgeous beach higher. Let's start, then, with the Sunshine State.

No matter what alternative one suggests for Myrtle Beach, the one prerequisite is, well, a destination on a beach. Preferably a wide open, long stretch replicating North Carolina's "Grand Strand," a 60-mile stretch of white sand stretching along the state's coast.

Boca Grande, on Florida's Gasparilla Island, gives that same sense of a generous shoreline via its relaxed 7-mile stretch of beach, with the added benefit of the weather warming up in March. The crowds, inasmuch as they exist, are certainly less rowdy and far easier to stomach. The town's a favorite among the rich and famous, with the predominantly affluent population living on one of the top-rated islands in Florida to visit.

"The best beaches IMHO are on Gasparilla Island/Boca Grande," one Reddit user wrote. "Fairly shallow water along the main strip so it warms up pretty early in the season. A historic lighthouse and range light are fun for a quick visit. Lots of nature areas and state parks nearby with good hiking, birding, boating, etc." They also praised the fact that there are a number of historic spots and museums to explore within easy driving range of the beach, which provides "[g]reat fishing if you like that."

Considering the abundance of options, a destination must truly be exceptional to merit spring breaking away from the mainland U.S. Freeport, the second-largest city in the Bahamas, is up to the task, with its mix of gorgeous beaches, excellent food, and worthwhile extras. The area also avoids falling into the same category as other international spring break cliches like Cancun. Whereas the Mexican magnet draws folks looking for one of the best spring break destinations across the world, Freeport offers a more relaxed vibe. Its bounty includes aquatic-based adventures like snorkeling and expansive white sand beaches, with the added benefit of a Caribbean climate in spring.

"I know a lot of people hate on Freeport, but my husband always says it's his favorite port we've done (out of 6 total, I think)," one Reddit user wrote of her stop during a cruise."It wasn't crowded at all [...] It was inexpensive, very laid back, had good food, and great staff with a shuttle straight from the cruise ship."

Myrtle Beach's popularity has also sparked physical growth, causing a sprawl that's ruined the intimacy that many long for. The smaller towns of Rosemary Beach and Miramar Beach along Florida's Highway 30A retain that intimacy, with beauty to match. Their stretches of sand and turquoise water are matched by the close-quarters sense of a town well-acquainted with itself. Rosemary's European-style architecture keeps the mood and ambiance distinctly romantic, while Miramar Beach adds outdoor fun to the mix.

"My favorite part of staying in this area was the white sandy beaches (the sand is almost pure quartz!) and the bikeability/walkability of everything," travel and lifestyle blogger Kate Rose wrote. "It was definitely helpful to have a car at times, but you could totally do it without one (you'd probably just need to use a grocery delivery service or plan to eat out most nights and use the smaller grocery markets for essentials)."

One thing you should be aware of when planning your trip is that not all of the town is open to visitors. The beach accessibility situation is a bit dicey at Rosemary, as private accommodations have cordoned off some sections of the beach for guests. Keep this in mind and be sure you book a stay that provides access to the beach.

If taking in the nightlife's buzzing energy is still a prerequisite for your spring break, but you just want to share it with fewer people, Port Aransas offers a welcome compromise. While it may not have Myrtle Beach's bountiful boardwalk, it does have a close downtown with beach bars, live music, and a seafood scene worthy of its own outing. Yet it manages to retain its small fishing village vibes as part of an island that juts out into the Gulf Coast.

The island also caters to families, with dolphin-watching tours and golf cart rides to help keep your young ones engaged. Anglers will have a good time as well, with marlin, tuna, and sailfish among the types of aquatic life occupying the waters. Spring breakers might be lucky enough to witness the arrival of three species of sea turtle that nest along "Port A's" 18 miles of sand.

You'll also need to drive a golf cart to properly get around. "Use Google Maps to make sure your Airbnb has good access to the beach," one frequent visitor wrote on Reddit. "The golf carts are a must. There are very few access points to the beach that are free access. Most of them have locks only for residents."

Those looking for a more outdoors-oriented spring break should head to Florida's Sanibel Island. Located about 30 minutes away from Fort Myers, it offers warmer spring weather than Myrtle Beach. With plenty of sunshine and lapping waves to help you while away your lazy days away from work, this is not the sort of place that lets you knock back cocktails at a nightclub. Instead, you'll find yourself staring down at your feet while you walk the beaches, getting lost in the soothing inanity of looking for seashells.

It may sound quaint, but Southwest Florida beaches offer a unique "shelling" experience. It's so prevalent on Sanibel that the island is considered the best destination in America for shelling, with an entire museum dedicated to its seashells. You'll spend your late afternoons and evenings pleasantly forgetting inebriated college students even exist as you relax at one of the island's cafes or restaurants.

"If you want that tropical island feel without leaving the country, Sanibel Island is the perfect spring break destination for your family!" wrote travel blogger Emily Krause. "There's no better spot in Florida for families to relax. You'll absolutely LOVE Sanibel Island!"

Determining a spring break alternative for Myrtle Beach first required determining why the South Carolina destination is so popular. In short: vibes, beach, water, and price. This article's list was then compiled by looking at coastal cities with similar offerings, but are well off the radar of college students, the travel writing industrial complex, and social media bros promising opportunities to get hammered.

From here, we filtered out potential destinations using recommendations from established, sensible, well-argued blog posts to separate the wheat from the chaff. (It was particularly difficult to find ones that didn't recommend Myrtle Beach, too.) Finally, the list was run through the rigors of social media — primarily Reddit — to see if there were any potential issues with the locales that had been settled upon.