Beautiful Paths Beside Rolling Waves
Driving along the coastline can turn an ordinary trip into something magical. Around every bend, the view shifts, and you find yourself pausing to take it all in. Waves crash nearby while towns and cliffs reveal themselves one after another, keeping you curious at every turn. If breathtaking scenery and a sense of freedom excite you, the following 20 coastal drives are journeys you’ll want to experience for yourself.
1. Pacific Coast Highway, California, USA
Few drives capture freedom like California’s Pacific Coast Highway. Stretching more than 600 miles, it hugs the shoreline from Orange County up to Mendocino. Big Sur cliffs and the chance to spot sea lions or migrating whales keep travelers glued to the windows the entire way.
2. Great Ocean Road, Australia
Heading to Australia’s southern coast means a date with the Great Ocean Road. Built by returned soldiers after World War I, the 150-mile route is a memorial and a marvel. Drivers weave past the Twelve Apostles rising from the sea, and detours into lush rainforest make the journey even richer.
3. Atlantic Ocean Road, Norway
In Norway, the Atlantic Ocean Road proves that an engineering feat can double as an attraction. Opened in 1989, this five-mile stretch leaps between islands on a series of sweeping bridges. When storms roll in, the sea sprays high against the asphalt, making the road appear to vanish.
4. Amalfi Coast Road, Italy
Winding through the Amalfi Coast, the road treats travelers to endless views of blue waters and sunlit villages. The curves make each turn a surprise. Moreover, UNESCO recognition highlights the timeless beauty found in spots like Positano.
Amalfi Coast Italy 🇮🇹 by Drone in 4K 60FPS by Magical Cities
5. Garden Route, South Africa
South Africa’s Garden Route unfolds like a painter’s canvas, covering nearly 190 miles between Mossel Bay and Storms River. Along the way, wild fynbos vegetation bursts with color, and Tsitsikamma National Park offers trails that hug dramatic cliffs.
South African Tourism from South Africa on Wikimedia
6. Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland
Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way is a journey of epic proportions, tracing 1,553 miles along the nation's west coast. Skellig Michael, a rock island featured in Star Wars, rises dramatically from the Atlantic Ocean. You can also hit pause at lively seaside towns filled with pubs and regional music.
IRELAND - The Wild Atlantic Way, Cinematic 4K Drone Landscapes by Alex Kassner
7. Causeway Coastal Route, Northern Ireland
Travelers in Northern Ireland find themselves enchanted by the Causeway Coastal Route. Stretching from Belfast to Londonderry, it showcases medieval castles and cliffside vistas. The highlight comes at the Giant’s Causeway, a natural wonder that earned UNESCO status and a role in fantasy films.
Northern Ireland Causeway coastal route - 4K Drone by Zafran Asmy
8. Cabot Trail, Canada
On Cape Breton Island, the Cabot Trail loops across 185 miles of rugged coastline. It twists through the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, where autumn paints the cliffs in fiery hues. Between viewpoints, travelers encounter fishing villages alive with Celtic and Acadian traditions.
Martin Cathrae from Charlottetown, PE, Canada on Wikimedia
9. Basque Coast, Spain
Spain’s Basque Coast tempts with rugged charm. The Bay of Biscay sets the backdrop for fishing villages where boats bob against stone harbors. Along the road, cliffs reveal layers of rock shaped by the sea, which makes the drive as much about geology as it is about culture.
10. Scenic Byway 1, New Zealand
In New Zealand’s South Island, Scenic Byway 1 threads along the eastern shoreline. The road winds through vineyards before reaching Kaikōura, where you can spot whales riding close to shore. Seals also bask on roadside rocks, a sight hard to forget.
11. Skeleton Coast Drive, Namibia
Namibia's Skeleton Coast feels haunting in the best way. Sand dunes slip right into the sea, and rusting shipwrecks scatter the horizon. Massive seal colonies bring life to the otherwise stark scenery, while morning fog rolls across the road to create a setting unlike anywhere else.
Travel Documentary. Skeleton Coast Mobile Safari Namibia 4K by Africa Luxury Travel and Wildlife
12. Hana Highway, Hawaii, USA
Few drives feel as dramatic as Maui's Hana Highway. The 64-mile stretch packs in 620 curves and 59 bridges, with rainforest waterfalls pouring beside the road. Black sand beaches and lava tubes give it a raw, otherworldly edge that keeps every mile full of surprises.
Road to Hana Maui - Cinematic Travel Drone Footage by Joey Pelon
13. Florida Keys Overseas Highway, Florida, USA
The Overseas Highway through the Florida Keys is an engineering marvel that doubles as paradise. Spanning 113 miles across 42 islands, it offers endless blue water views. Seven Mile Bridge steals the spotlight, and nightly sunset celebrations keep the drive buzzing long after daylight fades.
United States Department of Transportation on Wikimedia
14. Highway 101, Oregon, USA
Oregon’s Highway 101 feels like a love letter to the coast. Stretching 363 miles, it connects windswept beaches with lush forests and sprawling dunes. Stops like the Sea Lion Caves and Cape Perpetua are a must-visit.
Oregon Department of Transportation on Wikimedia
15. Dalmatian Coast Road, Croatia
Rather than a straight highway, the Dalmatian Coast Road winds past seaside towns and ferries that link out to Croatia's islands. Dubrovnik and Split are famous historic landmarks, but the real feel lies with the smaller harbors hiding true Venetian architecture.
Croatia by Drone!! DJI 4K incredible views of the Dalmatian Coast! by Alexis Blues
16. Wild Coast, South Africa
Stretching between East London and the KwaZulu-Natal border, the road reveals rolling hills that drop sharply into the sea. Here, traditional Xhosa villages stand along the cliffs, and old shipwrecks leave haunting reminders of the unpredictable waters.
South Africa - WILD COAST - Drone 4k /Go Pro by Barry Cochrane
17. Pacific Rim Highway, Canada
What begins as thick rainforest on Vancouver Island eventually opens into the wild. This is the Pacific Rim Highway, which leads travelers through Pacific Rim National Park and onward to Tofino, a surfing hub. Fog often creeps across the coastline and gives the drive a cinematic feel.
KenWalker [email protected] on Wikimedia
18. Shetland Coastal Drive, Scotland
Driving Shetland's coastal roads brings a rare mix of history and nature. Islands are reachable by ferry, with Viking ruins scattered throughout. You'll admire how nicely the rugged cliffs meet sandy shores and wildlife greets you at every stretch.
Shetland by Drone by CHASING SCALES
19. Coromandel Peninsula Drive, New Zealand
Instead of highways buzzing with traffic, the Coromandel Peninsula offers a slower journey. The route swings around quiet bays and jagged cliffs, with stops like Hot Water Beach, where natural springs bubble beneath the sand. In summer, scarlet pohutukawa trees frame the coast in striking color.
20. Puerto Vallarta To Mazatlán, Mexico
Traveling Mexico's Pacific Riviera means cruising between Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlán. Golden beaches set the tone, while roadside taco stands tempt travelers with smoky flavors. Resort towns add energy, but it's the small fishing villages that keep the route authentic. You get to relax as well as discover.
