Lakes are a better option for a fun time than beaches, hands down. There are so many reasons why.
First off, lake water is much warmer than beach water, at least in NH. Most of the time when you go to the beach in NH the water is too cold to even enjoy. It is way too freezing to stay in there long, or you’ll be shivering feeling like you have hypothermia. Most people just sit on the beach and watch.
On the other hand, lakes have great water temperatures where you can stay for much longer. According to NCEI, in the summer around July/ August, lake water in NH can exceed 75+ fahrenheit while ocean temperature peaks around mid 60s fahrenheit. Lake Wineepesaukuee can get to 74 F even though it is gigantic. At lakes you can enjoy water and have fun, while most of the time at beaches it’s the opposite .
At lakes you don’t have to worry about dangerous wildlife while swimming. At beaches you have to worry about animals like jellyfish, sharks, and other predators. Also riptides can sweep you out into the ocean and drown you. Hundreds of people die each year in the ocean from rip currents and many are injured from animals, according to Patch.com. Lakes don’t have any dangerous currents to worry about nor animals that can harm you. It is generally a more safe environment rather than the oceans.
Some people that would favor beaches would say that it’s better for suntanning and to get more color. The water and the sand do lead to a faster and more intense uv tan than the beach. The double exposure from the light on the water and the sand makes it faster, but it increases risk of severe burns and sometimes melanoma. At lakes you can still get a decent tan but it may take longer because there is no reflection from sand depending on the surroundings, according to an article by Funboy.com.
That means a low chance of getting melanoma if taking proper precautions like sunscreen.
Lakes are generally not as crowded as beaches, making a more enjoyable and relaxing tanning experience.
Finally, there are more activities you can do at lakes than beaches. You can go kayaking, play volleyball, bring pets, and lots of other stuff. Beaches are harsh for kayaking and other recreational activities with the waves, and it’s often too crowded for games like volleyball. Most beaches in NH don’t allow pets during the daytime in the summer , so at the majority of lakes you can bring your dogs if you want.
Ultimately, while ocean beaches offer a grand, dynamic atmosphere, lakes provide a superior experience through their tranquil, intimate, and convenient nature. There are positives to a beach though, with tanning advantages, collecting sand dollars or seashells, and surfing. Collecting seashells and surfing you can’t do at lakes so there’s an advantage for beaches. Even with those, the lake positives are far superior. Lakes have calmer, freshwater conditions, the absence of salt, no dangerous undercurrents, and a lack of harsh, stinging sea life. Lakes offer a more comfortable and safer environment for families and swimmers. When factoring in the reduced crowds, scenic surroundings, and the freedom from burning sand, a lake vacation is simply more relaxing, accessible, and enjoyable than a chaotic, crowded beach.
