If you are on vacation you may be hoping to go to the beach after sundown to enjoy the sand and water in the dark of night. The question is, what is the policy surrounding this? Do beaches close at night?
Yes, most beaches in the United States close at night. Typically, beaches are open from sunup to sundown. There are, of course, some exceptions that do allow 24-hour access. Contacting local authorities and asking about the availability hours of the beach in question may be your best solution.
In this article we will discuss several issues surrounding beach availability, including policies, public vs private, and parking lots. We will also discuss some the beach policy issues in Hawaii, California, Florida, and Mexico, and also give some specific operating hours for some of the most popular beaches these destinations have to offer.
Typical Policy of Most Beaches
The standard practice for most beaches throughout the United States is to be open only from sunup to sundown – but as with most things, there are exceptions. Beaches prefer set these hours to help maintain crowd control, provide lifeguards for emergencies, and prevent dangerous incidents such as criminal activity.
Every beach is handled by the discretion of the owner’s regulations. In the United States, beaches are generally owned by the government and are free to the public.
The guidelines for one beach might not be the same as another beach in a separate county or state. Here are the three things you can do to check the policy of the beach you are interested in:
- Check Parking Lot Signs – Restrictions and availability are typically made apparent in local parking lots and on the shore with signs regarding operating hours.
- Check the Website – Many popular beaches will have a website where official information is posted.
- Contact Beach or Local Authorities – If you can find a contact number for the beach, call them. If not, reaching out to a local police department should do the trick.
Also, be sure that the beach you are interested in is a public beach. All land below the Mean High Tide Line (the area of sand that changes from wet to dry during high tide) is supposed to be available to the public for all citizens to enjoy.
However, this method of land ownership grows complicated as businesses and homeowners purchase waterfront properties and regard the shoreline as their own. While fun in the sun or under the pale moonlight should be appreciated by everyone, visitors may be asked to leave “privately owned” beaches at any time.
Are Beaches Safe at Night?
Swimming in the ocean at night or sleeping on the sand might be on your bucket list, but the unpredictability factor of the beach’s environment drastically shifts at night. There are several potential hazards both on and off the shore.
This includes things such as:
- Inadequate lighting for walking
- Changing tide levels that easily sweep people out to sea
- Rocks that can prove dangerous if the water takes your feet out from underneath you.
- Life-threatening encounters with stingray and jellyfish in shallow waters
- Lifeguards not on duty for rescue needs
- Potential for criminal activity
This is why many states and municipalities choose not to keep their beaches open past sundown.
Is it Trespassing to go to a Beach at Night?
This will depend on the local laws and how they are enforced. But yes, depending on those laws you could potentially face trespassing charges if the laws were in place and the local authorities were motivated to police and enforce them
If a local beach has had vandalism incidents and other types of criminal behavior at night, those local authorities may be motivated and focused on keeping the beach clear.
Most beaches are safeguarded with fences around main entrances with signs that list when the beach is open. Again, if you are not sure about the policy of that specific beach, contact local authorities.
Hawaii Beaches
Hawaii’s gorgeous hub of beaches is open to everyone. Its most popular locales like Maui and Oahu welcome more than five million visitors a year for surfing, paddling, and swimming.
While most beaches close at dusk, especially during the winter months, others are open around the clock. A general rule throughout the state is that if you can reach the shore by walking, the beach is open.
But of course there are exceptions so you will want to check local listings before you proceed. Also, it’s always a smart idea to adhere to parking lot instructions anywhere you travel to avoid being fined or your vehicle being towed.
Florida Beaches
The Sunshine State is lined with coastal beaches, but they all don’t operate with the same restrictions. Miami Beach and Boca Raton are open until 10 PM. Various activities around Clearwater Beach are open until dusk, 10 PM and 1 AM depending on the day of the week.
Some beaches (like Daytona Beach) may close their parking lots at night but allow you to enter the beach if you arrive on foot or bicycle.
California Beaches
Known as a home for dreamers and go-getters, California’s beaches are beloved by surfers and partiers because they are generally open 24/7, excluding paid parking and its regulations.
As one of the state’s most popular destinations, Malibu is filled with private properties, where owners have been known to call law enforcement over suspicious activity like loud noises or trespassers. However, other locations such as the Redondo Beach Pier and Santa Monica Pier are open 24 hours a day.
Mexican Beaches
Unlike the United States’ laws of ownership for coastal regions, Mexico established that coastal land within 60 feet of the Mean High Tide Line cannot be privately owned. Most of the country’s beaches are open to the public day and night, but vehicles are usually illegal on the beach.
Even though the country’s officials have made their stance clear that all beaches are available to everyone, this has not stopped businesses in several states such as Quintana Roo from attempting to restrict public access. Tourists and locals take it upon themselves to try to relish everything Mexico’s beaches have to offer.
If you are on vacation and wondering what the policy is for a nearby beach, check with the front desk at the hotel – they should be able to provide all relevant information.