5 Drives with Stunning Ocean Views

While a trip to the ocean is always fun, the enjoyment often begins before you arrive at your destination – the stunning ocean views along the way to your final destination. It’s one time when it’s as much about the journey as it is the destination.;

A great ocean drive combines stunning ocean scenery, impressive nature, and the freedom of the open road. Here are five of what we think are the best driving routes with ocean views.

1. Pacific Coast Highway, California

The Pacific Coast Highway in California is a 656-mile route along the Pacific Ocean. The northernmost point is in Mendocino County and southernmost in Dana Point in Orange County.

This ocean drive will take you through some of the most beautiful coastline scenery in the state – through Monterey, Big Sur, Carmel, Morro Bay, Santa Barbara, Manhattan and Venice Beach, and on down to Dana Point. This is a classic All-American road trip.

Driving the enter PCH will take about 10 hours, with minimal rest and gas stops. Far better, though, is to take your time. Stop off in some of the cities along the way, have a picnic at the beach, grab your camera or phone and get some photos, and kick back and enjoy the view. Bonus points if you’re doing this in a convertible.

2. Pirate Route, Jamaica

You’ll be able to take in the beauty of the Atlantic Ocean by going on Jamaica’s so-called Pirate Route. This 380-mile trip sees you start from Port Royal, winding your way clockwise through the country along the A1 and A2 roads.

As you drive, you’ll see beached freighter ships and come across a number of historic forts that protected Jamaica’s coastal towns from pirates during the 17th and 18th centuries. Eventually, you’ll arrive in Kingston, the Jamaican capital, where you can see the remains of a 19th century courthouse.

Along this route, you can stop of in Negril which is home to the Seven Mile Beach. The beach is absolutely stunning with golden sand, crystal clear blue water and plenty of things to do.

3. Atlantic Highway – Devon and Cornwall, UK

In the UK, there is a great drive along the coast of Devon and Cornwall. The section of the A39 which runs from Barnstaple to Newquay is known as the Atlantic Highway and you’ll come across a great number of places to stop off as you drive. 

Take a quick diversion at the A399 and pay a visit to Exmoor Zoo, where you can see creatures ranging from penguins and kangaroos to meerkats and cheetahs.

You’ll also be able to take in Tintagel. According to local legend, the village is the birthplace of King Arthur and you may be able to learn more about the iconic figure by visiting Tintagel Castle.

Your 135-mile road trip ends at Newquay, a resort that is popular with both families and young people. Here, you can go surfing at the renowned Fistral Beach and visit the Blue Reef Aquarium.

4. Pacific Highway – Australia

Visit Australia for a road-trip and you’ll be able to travel along the Pacific Highway from Sydney up to Brisbane.

This 596-mile road also affords you views of the Pacific Ocean and you’ll be able to take in a number of bustling destinations on your way, including Port Macquarie which is a popular spot for surfing. The beaches in the area are unspoilt and reasonably quiet.

In total, the Greater Port Macquarie is home to 18 beaches, 6 of which are patrolled by lifeguards, 8 of which are dog friendly and pretty much all of which are suitable for swimming and surfing. 

The Pacific Highway forms part of Australia’s highway one, which links all the country’s major cities, and at the end you’ll come to Brisbane. Upon arriving at the Queensland state capital, you can visit attractions such as Brisbane City Hall, Queensland Gallery of Modern Art and Roma Street Parkland.

5. Seward Highway – Alaska

Up in Alaska, the Seward Highway will offer you a very different US coastal driving experience. Whilst the views may not be of the beaches you’re used to in terms of golden sand and sunny weather, this coastal road will allow you great views of the ocean and stop off points which allow you right onto the coast.

Starting in Anchorage, the state’s largest city, the 127-mile road takes you southward to the harbour town of Seward.

While you’ll still be able to see the Pacific coast for large parts of your trip, it’ll be ice fields and fjords rather than golden beaches that you’ll be taking in from your car. 

Stop by Chugach State Park, the third-largest state park in the country, where you can go horseback riding and cycling in the summer and enjoy snowmobiling and skiing in the winter. Upon reaching Seward, you can take a charter boat ride along the waterfront and dine at a number of restaurants that specialise in fresh seafood.