10 States With the Shortest Coastlines

It’s no surprise that Alaska, California, and Florida have some of the most substantial coastlines of any state. But at the other end of the spectrum, there are some states with just a few dozen miles of seacoast. While there are several methodologies for tracking coastal lengths, we’re looking at a metric called “general coastline.” This measurement takes into account the total coastline along the open ocean. Notably, it excludes tidal shoreline and any states that solely lie adjacent to lakes (including the Great Lakes). With that in mind, let’s dive in and look at the 10 U.S. states with the shortest coastlines.

10. New Jersey

Length of coastline: 130 miles

The Garden State is known for its world-famous Jersey Shore, where you’ll find popular vacation spots such as the gambling and entertainment mecca of Atlantic City and the centuries-old beach community of Cape May. Other highlights include the family-friendly beaches of Point Pleasant, the 2.5-mile-long boardwalk of Ocean City, and the famous Morey’s Piers amusement park in Wildwood, which has been a hit with visitors since 1969. While these oceanside locales hold plenty of appeal, they occupy a relatively small region that spans just 130 miles, making New Jersey’s coastline the 10th-shortest in the nation.

9. New York

Length of coastline: 127 miles

The vast majority of New York state’s coastline is located along Long Island, which extends 118 miles northeastward from the Hudson River and New York City. Along this seashore you’ll find Coney Island in Brooklyn, Rockaway Beach in Queens, and the Hamptons and Montauk at Long Island’s easternmost point. 

The communities bordering the Long Island Sound — which is technically an inland tidal estuary of the Atlantic — are excluded in this “general coastline” measurement (the same reason why Connecticut, which also borders the Long Island Sound, has 0 miles of seashore according to this metric). 

8. Virginia

Length of coastline: 112 miles

The 112 miles of seacoast in Virginia are broken up into two distinct regions. One chunk of this coastline is located in the southeastern part of the state, where you find the oceanside community of Virginia Beach. This part of the state also features several notable oceanfront state parks, including First Landing State Park, where colonists landed in 1607 prior to establishing Jamestown, and False Cape State Park, which extends to North Carolina. 

Virginia’s remaining seashore is located along the southern tip of the Delmarva Peninsula, which the state shares with Maryland and Delaware. While Virginia may have a small coastline, it features a staggering 7,213 miles of shores along tidal bays in Chesapeake Bay.

7. Georgia

Length of coastline: 100 miles

Outside of a few scattered vacation communities, Georgia’s coast is regarded for its untouched and pristine nature. The seashore is lined with marshlands, forests, and quiet beaches popular among nature lovers. 

There are also four idyllic barrier islands off the Georgia coast, nicknamed the “Golden Isles” — St. Simons Island, Little St. Simons Island, Sea Island, and Jekyll Island. From paddleboarding to horseback riding, seeing a show at the historic Ritz Theatre (built in 1899), or visiting 18th-century monuments such as Fort Frederica, this island chain offers activities for all types of visitors.

6. Alabama

Length of coastline: 53 miles

Two of the six shortest coastlines in the country are located along the Gulf of Mexico. The longer of the two belongs to Alabama. Highlights include Dauphin Island, which is known for the 164-acre Audubon Bird Sanctuary and the historic Fort Gaines — the latter of which played a pivotal role in the Battle of Mobile Bay in the U.S. Civil War. 

Another historic fortification along the state’s seashore is Fort Morgan, a National Historic Landmark built in 1834. The Alabama coast is also renowned for Gulf State Park, which covers 6,150 acres of dunes, marshes, and pine forests.

5. Mississippi

Length of coastline: 44 miles

Mississippi has the shortest coastline of any Gulf Coast state. Despite that fact, it’s home to the longest human-made beach in the world, which measures 26 miles long between Biloxi and Pass Christian. 

The Mississippi coast also has its fair share of golf courses, miles of boardwalks to explore, and seafood restaurants serving up tasty fresh-caught fare. Nature lovers should consider stopping by Deer Island Coastal Preserve, which sits along the shore and is home to 10 types of endangered species of plants and animals, including the key deer.

4. Rhode Island

Length of coastline: 40 miles

Rhode Island’s Ocean State nickname was introduced to drive tourism to the state, and it’s true that the state has an intimate connection to the sea. By some metrics, there are around 400 miles of coastline, but that’s only if you include the tidal shoreline around bays and sounds. However, by the “general coastline” metric we used for this list, Rhode Island’s figure is much smaller, at just 40 miles. 

That said, there are several unforgettable oceanside attractions in Rhode Island. One is the appropriately named Ocean Drive — a 10-mile driving loop in Newport where you’ll see ripping waves on one side and Gilded Age mansions on the other. The adjacent Cliff Walk is a 3.5-mile-long walking path that takes visitors over paved trails and rocky crags. Hikers will feel the crisp, ocean breeze coming at them from one side, while standing just a few feet away from those same Gilded Age mansions on the other side.

3. Maryland

Length of coastline: 31 miles

All 31 miles of Maryland’s short seacoast are located along the Delmarva Peninsula. At the southern end is the Assateague Island National Seashore, which is celebrated for its pristine dunes and wild horses running along the sand. 

Toward the northern end of Maryland’s coastline is Ocean City. This popular summertime paradise welcomes around 8 million annual visitors, and for good reason. See for yourself as you take a stroll along the town’s 3-mile-long wooden boardwalk, ride the hand-carved carousel dating back to 1912, or try your luck at the Ocean Downs Casino.

2. Delaware

Length of coastline: 28 miles

Arguably the most popular tourist destination along Delaware’s coastline is Rehoboth Beach — a bustling oceanside community known for famous residents such as former President Joe Biden and media mogul Oprah Winfrey. 

Farther south, you’ll come upon Delaware Seashore State Park, which contains 6.5 miles of oceanfront terrain where locals and visitors alike flock to swim, surf, kayak, and visit the Indian River Life-Saving Station museum, which teaches guests about Delaware’s maritime history. Other popular communities on Delaware’s short coastline include Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island.

1. New Hampshire

Length of coastline: 13 miles

New Hampshire has the smallest coastline of any state by the “general coastline” metric. Along the Granite State’s 13 miles of shore, Hampton Beach is the busiest beach community in the state, attracting more than 100,000 visitors on warm summer weekends. 

In addition to basking on the beach, visitors can stop by the popular Seacoast Science Center to learn more about the marine animals and ocean plants that call this part of the country home. The museum is located in Odiorne Point State Park, where you’ll also find historic World War II-era batteries installed to protect the U.S. in case of a German invasion.