Photo: David Muench/Corbis

Sea Camp Beach

Cumberland Island, Georgia

Part of an 18-mile stretch of sand on the island's Atlantic side, Sea Camp Beach is wide and wild, strewn with driftwood and a gazillion shells and backed by sea grass and rolling dunes. Roam the beach in search of wild horses, sea turtles, manatees, and prehistoric-looking horseshoe crabs. Collect shark's teeth and shells from the soft gray sand, and sleep under the stars in one of Sea Camp's tents on the beach.

Hotel Recommendation: Stay at the island's only hotel, the Greyfield Inn. Read our review.