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The 5 Best Beaches to Visit in Sheboygan, Wisconsin

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The 5 Best Beaches to Visit in Sheboygan, Wisconsin

The first thing you’ll notice when you visit Sheboygan, Wisconsin, is its proximity to Lake Michigan!  Call me crazy, but beach towns like this have a unique feel, and I can smell the clean freshwater scent wafting through the air.  The biggest problem you’ll have when visiting Sheboygan is deciding which beach is the best to camp out for a day.  Don’t worry!  I explored them and have you covered.  With this guide to the five best beaches in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, you’ll be ready to make a perfect choice!

A view of the sun rising over Lake Michigan with water on the bottom half, the sun midway and about to go under a cloud at the top.
A beautiful sunrise from the South Beach area behind the Blue Harbor Resort

1 – Kohler-Andrae State Park/Sanderling Nature Center

Kohler-Andrae State Park is located about 6 miles south of the mouth of the Sheboygan River but is a stunning natural area.  The history of this park is as deep and beautiful as the park itself.  The perfect place to learn about that history is by visiting the Sanderling Nature Center and watching the eight-minute movie that tells the story much better than I can!

In addition to the park’s history, the nature center also includes educational information on the park’s majestic sand dunes, plants, and the native animals that visit and call Kohler-Andrae home.  Once you’ve learned your fill, head to the rooftop observatory to get a unique view of the dunes and the sandy beach. 

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There is plenty of beach space to spread towels and wade in for a swim, and there are even benches for those who don’t want to sprawl out on the sand.  However, I must say, the gorgeous, soft sand calls for you to dig your bare toes into it and give them a wiggle!

The Kohler-Andrae State Park covers 988 acres and includes hiking trails, biking trails, and plenty of space to explore if you like more than just a beach scene.

A wooden sign showing the aerial view of the Koehler-Andre State Park
The carved map on the outside of the Sanderling Nature Center

2 – North Point Park

North Point Park is located right near a little peak of land that juts out into Lake Michigan near Sheboygan Point.  This park area is small but has ample parking and makes a perfect, less busy spot to catch a tan, take a dip in the clean, fresh water of Lake Michigan, and not be bothered by crowds of people.

Pack your cooler, head for one of the convenient picnic areas, and fire up one of the built-in grills for cooking a burger or hot dog and enjoy the summer breezes while you listen to the waves lapping at the shore.  After relaxing and watching the waves, take a stroll down the walking path to look at the historical marker notating the location of the Historic shipwreck of the Schooner Gallinipper, a historic commercial wooden schooner sunk in 1851.

This small park area is also perfect for taking in a wide array of bird species, especially during the spring and fall migrations.  If you’re a bird watcher or a photographer, you will love this small beachy area!

3 – Deland Park (North Beach)

What do you want to do when you’re at the beach?  If the answer is, “I want to surf, Hip Grandma!” then head for Deland Park, where you can do precisely that!  Located on Broughton Dr, Deland Park lies north of the mouth of the Sheboygan River. 

Sheboygan has been dubbed “The malibu of the midwest” for a good reason.  Even when the warm weather fades and temps dip below comfortable for a romp at the beach, you’ll find die-hard surfers hanging ten on their boards in the waves of Lake Michigan.  If you’re not into the surfing scene, then pop a squat on the beach and watch the surfers hang ten!

Want to catch a wave but never tried it before?  No problem!  Stop in at the EOS Surf shop, where you can rent a board and a wetsuit (when the weather is chilly) and even take a lesson to get started! 

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Whether you surf or watch, Deland Park will give you plenty of fun in the sun.  This park has a sandy swim beach area, boat ramps, and a fish-cleaning station.  You can even rent a boat at SEAS Boat Rentals right near the Sheboygan Yacht Club.  Dogs are allowed, so bring Fido for a romp in the waves.  Please be responsible and clean up after your pup.

While you’re at Deland, take a walk over to the Lottie Cooper, a recovered section of a schooner that was shipwrecked off this very shore, recovered, and placed on display for public viewing.  Finally, cruise over to the Harbor Centre Marina and have a cocktail at Bar43 while watching the boat traffic move in and out of the marina.

A silhouette of a surfer on the waves of Lake Michigan
It was so much fun watching the surfers!

4 – King Park (South Beach)

You will find South Side Municipal Beach located just where you would expect, South of the mouth of the Sheboygan River.  This beach stretches out behind the Blue Harbor Resort and down the shores of Lake Michigan into King Park.

You will find plenty of soft, sandy beach (and a few rocky areas) along this gorgeous stretch of beach.  Beach grass sways beautifully in the wind, and if you’re lucky, the sun will pop out so you can enjoy basking in it.  This beach is the perfect place to catch a few rays or enjoy a summer game of beach volleyball!  South Beach is the perfect place to watch the Independence day fireworks in July, that discharge from a barge carefully situated on Lake Michigan between the North and South Pier.

King Park lies on the Southernmost end of South Beach and boasts an excellent playground for the kids and a large pavilion with restrooms available for rent.  Insider tip:  Check this beautiful beach for small pieces of beach glass.  If you don’t wish to hunt for glass but want to take home a piece of beach glass in memory of your visit, stop in at the Sheboygan Visitor’s Center and look for a framed treasure created by a Sheboygan Artist who collects the beach glass and turns them into gorgeous display pieces.

The author smiles with a beach stretching out behind her as far as the eye can see.
The beaches of Sheboygan look tropical! There’s a reason they call this town the “Malibu of the Midwest!”

5 – Sheboygan Kite Beach

At the southernmost end of South Beach lies Sheboygan Kite Beach, aptly named for the Kiteboarders (also known as kite surfers) who flock to this public beach in abundance, especially on the weekends.  The unique shape of this mile-long beach and its wind patterns make the perfect setup for kiteboarders.  Many consider Sheboygan the best place in Wisconsin to enjoy this fun sport! 

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Bring your camera and a beach chair and enjoy the show.  The kiteboarders here are friendly and love to entertain the spectators.  Like all the sandy beaches in the city of Sheboygan, Kite Beach is clean and spacious, with plenty of room for young children to splash and build castles in the sand while adults watch on or join in the fun.

After you’ve had your fill of sun and fun watching the kiteboarders and splashing in the surf, head over to Seeboth Deli a few blocks away, or grab a bite to eat at one of the other top-notch restaurants in Sheboygan County!

Wrapping it all Up

No matter which beautiful beach you choose, you will not be disappointed in any of the views on the West side of Lake Michigan.  All of the great lakes are compelling in their beauty, but I would be lying if I didn’t admit that Lake Michigan is my favorite of them.  If you’re up for an adventure, come early and catch the sunrise over the water.  With the beautiful, soft sand beneath your feet and the waves crashing, you will feel like you’re in a tropical paradise as the sun peeks over the horizon.  But hey – who needs tropical when you have a view like this right here in the Midwest!?

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