You may be confused when someone mentions going to the beach in Las Vegas since the city is in the middle of the desert. While it’s true that you won’t find an ocean beach in Vegas, some lakes and pools emulate the experience pretty well.
Lake Mead is about 45 minutes from the city, and it offers sandy shorelines and watersports at several beaches. There are also beach clubs and pools in Las Vegas that recreate the ocean experience with wave pools and sand entries.
If you have your heart set on visiting the sea, the closest beach to Las Vegas is Laguna Beach in California. However, it’s over 5 hours away, so it’s not a viable option for a day trip. That’s why I recommend one of the pools or beach lakes in Las Vegas. It’s a different experience, but still very enjoyable!
1. Mandalay Bay Beach, the best beach in a Las Vegas hotel
The first place to check out is Mandalay Bay Beach at one of the best kid-friendly resorts in Vegas. Mandalay Bay also happens to be the best Vegas hotel with a beach, and its aquatic wonderland spans 11 acres. Sure, it’s not an actual beach, but the 1.6-million-gallon wave pool has a real sand entry. The waves get as high as 12 feet, so it’s almost like swimming in the surf.
Along with a wave pool, Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay Beach has a lengthy lazy river where you can float along at your leisure. There are also several pools and lagoons where you can lounge, sunbathe, and wade. Palm trees, vegetation, and waterfalls surround the entire complex, helping to evoke the feeling of the tropics. Plus, with the desert heat, you’ll feel like you’re on a seaside vacation.
1. Mandalay Bay Beach, the best beach in a Las Vegas hotel
This is the closest you’ll get to a beach in Las Vegas, NV, and you won’t even have to pretend that much. Mandalay Bay Beach even has the typical food you’d expect on vacation at the Beach Bar & Grill. You can also avoid the trouble of lugging around all your gear since the pool is at the hotel and locker rentals are available.
- Location: Mandalay Bay
- Hours: 9 am-5 pm Monday-Sunday
- Admission fees: Open to Mandalay Bay guests only (for free)
- Highlights: Wave pool, lazy river, real sand entry
2. Lake Las Vegas Marina, a fun Vegas beach for water sports
Venturing away from the Strip, you’ll find the Lake Las Vegas Marina. While the lake is private, the marina area is open to the public year-round for swimming and watersports.
Lake Las Vegas’ public beach is perfect for getting away from the busyness of the city and retreating to nature. Here, you have beautiful blue water and mountain scenery that will give your eyes a break from the glowing neon signs and noise.
2. Lake Las Vegas Marina, a fun Vegas beach for water sports
Your visit to this Las Vegas beach lake can be as mild or wild as you want. You could opt for a relaxing sunset yacht cruise or get some exercise by renting a kayak or paddleboard. Here, you’ll also find Lake Las Vegas aqua park, one of the best waterparks in Vegas, with a floating obstacle course and flyboard rentals.
This is one of the more pristine beaches around Las Vegas, so consider staying overnight at the Westin Lake Las Vegas or Hilton Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa.
- Location: Henderson, NV
- Hours: Dawn-dusk
- Admission fees: None (activities cost extra)
- Highlights: Aqua park, kayaking, paddleboards, cruises
3. VooDoo Beach, a swanky Las Vegas beach to visit
VooDoo Beach Resort at Rio Hotel & Casino is one of the few places on the Strip where you can put your feet in the sand. Inspired by Brazil’s Copacabana Beach, this hotel pool complex has a real sand beach and multiple pools with waterfalls and grottoes.
Las Vegas’ VooDoo Beach pool is unlike any other in the city. The tropical vibes are undeniable thanks to the palm trees, hammocks, and fruity cocktails. While it’s a family-friendly pool, it’s best suited for adults since you can get a massage and swim in the 21+ European-style Voo Pool.
3. VooDoo Beach, a swanky Las Vegas beach to visit
Of course, all ages will love the live music, jacuzzi-style whirlpools, and real sand entry into the pool. Best of all, Las Vegas’ VooDoo Beach is free for non-guests during the week ($20 on weekends).
- Location: Rio Hotel & Casino
- Hours: 9 am-5 pm
- Admission fees: $20 for non-guests on weekends
- Highlights: Real sand beach, waterfalls, grottoes
4. Élia Beach Club at Virgin Hotel, the most luxurious Vegas beach for adults
For a luxurious atmosphere and party vibes, head to Élia Beach Club at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. This Las Vegas hotel beach is more of a day club than a pool and takes its inspiration from the coasts of Mykonos, Greece.
The Mediterranean-style club is one of the newest beach pools in Las Vegas, opening in June 2021. The feeling here is a big, tropical party with live music and dancing. It’s a bit pricey to get in, but you’ll be able to watch world-class talent like Deadmau5.
4. Élia Beach Club at Virgin Hotel, the most luxurious Vegas beach for adults
Élia has a small Vegas beach where you can sunbathe and wade in the emerald waters. There are also cabanas, lounges, a bar, and a private pool area for swimming. If you want to visit Élia, keep in mind that it’s 21+ and has a $40 cover charge.
- Location: Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
- Hours: 11 am-6 pm Friday-Sunday
- Admission fees: $40
- Highlights: Real sand beach, day lounge, bar, live music, dancing
5. The Beach Club Pool, another cool beach in a Las Vegas hotel
Flamingo Hotel‘s Beach Club Pool is another Vegas beach resort to check out. Not only is the Flamingo one of the cheapest hotels in Las Vegas, but its pool area is fun for the whole family.
This Las Vegas hotel beach pool has interconnected lagoons surrounded by waterfalls, tropical plants, and palm trees. This family-friendly pool provides a Caribbean-inspired paradise and offers plenty to do with waterslides, pool volleyball, and water basketball.
5. The Beach Club Pool, another cool beach in a Las Vegas hotel
If you’re looking for a more exclusive experience, check out Flamingo’s Go Pool, a 21+ complex with live music and private cabana rentals. The only downside to the Beach Club Pool and Go Pool is that they don’t have real sand.
- Location: Flamingo Hotel
- Hours: 8 am-6 pm Monday-Sunday
- Admission fees: $10 for non-guests
- Highlights: Waterfalls, pool volleyball, water basketball, lagoon pools
6. Grand Pool Complex at MGM Grand, one of the best beaches in Vegas for families
The Grand Pool Complex at MGM Grand is one of the best pools in Las Vegas, thanks to its beachy vibes and fun activities. This beach-like resort in Las Vegas covers 6.5 acres of swimming pools, whirlpools, and other top-notch facilities.
One of the coolest parts of the Grand Pool Complex is the lazy river that winds throughout the park. If you’d rather relax on dry land, there are lounge chairs, daybeds, and cabana rentals. For the ultimate experience, book a poolside massage and feel whisked away to the tropics.
6. Grand Pool Complex at MGM Grand, one of the best beaches in Vegas for families
This Las Vegas beach pool may lack real sand, but it has waterfalls, fountains, and palm trees that give you the feeling of a seaside vacation. There is even a “front yard” with lawn games like beanbag toss and ping-pong.
- Location: MGM Grand
- Hours: 9 am-5 pm Monday-Sunday
- Admission fees: MGM Grand guests only (free)
- Highlights: Multiple pools, whirlpools, waterfalls, lazy river
7. Wet’n’Wild Las Vegas, the best Las Vegas beach for kids
If you’re looking for a beach in Las Vegas that’s not in a hotel, check out Wet’n’Wild. This waterpark offers family-friendly fun in the middle of the desert, and it’s just 20 minutes from the Strip.
The waterpark is like a beachy Vegas resort with a lazy river, a wave pool, and over a dozen waterslides. Among these are multiple racing slides, a boomerang slide, speed slides, and tunnel slides. There is also a children’s area where youngsters can wade, splash, and play. When you get hungry, stop by the cafe or beer garden to refuel.
7. Wet’n’Wild Las Vegas, the best Las Vegas beach for kids
As I said, Wet’n’Wild is a family attraction, so it’s one of the best things to do in Las Vegas with kids. It’s pretty affordable and exciting enough to make you forget about the ocean in Las Vegas, at least for an afternoon.
- Location: Spring Valley, NV
- Hours: 10:30 am-6 pm Monday-Sunday
- Admission fees: $34.99 (adults), $29.99 (kids)
- Highlights: Wave pool, lazy river, waterslides, children’s area
8. Tahiti Village, an exclusive Las Vegas beach resort for relaxing
The pool at Tahiti Village Resort & Spa is an off-the-Strip paradise with a mini beach in Vegas. The resort is close to the airport, but you wouldn’t know it from the island vibes this pool gives off.
The Las Vegas beach resort has a lazy river, waterfalls, grottoes, and tropical landscaping. One of the top features of the Tahitian-themed pool is the sand beach entry that mimics the ocean in Las Vegas. There are also hot tubs, and the pool water is heated, so you’ll always swim in comfort.
8. Tahiti Village, an exclusive Las Vegas beach resort for relaxing
Moreover, additional elements bring the feeling of paradise to this hotel, including the tiki bar, pool volleyball, and endless palm trees. The resort hosts luau events during peak season, too, so you’ll forget that you’re just minutes from the Vegas Strip.
- Location: Tahiti Village Resort & Spa
- Hours: 8 am-8 pm Monday-Sunday
- Admission fees: Tahiti Village guests only (free)
- Highlights: Lazy river, sand beach entry
9. Boulder Beach at Lake Mead, a natural beach in Vegas to visit
Boulder Beach is one of the best beaches at Lake Mead. It’s at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Boulder City, about 40 minutes from the Strip. You’ll have to pay $25 per vehicle to get into the recreation area, but this gives you access to Las Vegas’ Boulder Beach and the nearby beaches.
Boulder Beach is on the southern coast of Lake Mead, along the Boulder Basin. Here, the shore is a bit rocky, but the water is clear, and you can swim, boat, and sail. You can’t bring watercraft here, but kayaks are okay.
9. Boulder Beach at Lake Mead, a natural beach in Vegas to visit
Overall, Boulder Beach is a great swim beach near Las Vegas for families, and the nearby campground is one of the best places to camp in Las Vegas.
- Location: Boulder City, NV
- Hours: 24/7 year-round
- Admission fees: $25 (to enter Lake Mead Recreation Area)
- Highlights: Swimming, boating, kayaking, camping
10. Willow Beach at Lake Mead, a quiet beach close to Las Vegas
Technically, Willow Beach isn’t a Las Vegas beach, but it’s just across the border in Arizona. More specifically, it’s along the Colorado River in Black Canyon, between Lake Mead and Lake Mohave.
It’s only about an hour to Willow Beach from Las Vegas, Nevada, so it makes for a great day trip from Vegas. Willow Beach happens to be a wonderland for kayaking and rafting, especially since you can paddle north to the Hoover Dam. If you’re interested, I recommend this Black Canyon kayaking tour.
10. Willow Beach at Lake Mead, a quiet beach close to Las Vegas
Of course, if you’d prefer to stay at the Willow Beach Marina, you can swim, have a picnic, and enjoy the playground. Paddleboat rentals are available at the pier, and this is one of the best Lake Mead beaches for swimming and wildlife viewing.
- Location: Black Canyon, AZ
- Hours: 24/7 year-round
- Admission fees: $25 (to enter Lake Mead Recreation Area)
- Highlights: Swimming, kayaking, rafting, wildlife
FAQs – Beaches in Las Vegas
Before finishing up, here are some frequently asked questions about beaches in Las Vegas.
What is the closest beach to Las Vegas?
The closest beach to Las Vegas that’s actually a beach is Boulder Beach at Lake Mead.
Are there beaches in Las Vegas?
There aren’t any ocean beaches close to Las Vegas, but there are beach pools and the beaches of Lake Mead.
Which Las Vegas hotel has a beach?
The top Las Vegas beach pools with sand entry are Mandalay Bay Beach, VooDoo Beach, Élia Beach Club, and Tahiti Village.
What is the closest California beach to Las Vegas?
The closest ocean to Vegas is Laguna Beach in California.
Now you know all about the beaches in Las Vegas, or at least the Las Vegas hotels with beachy pools. Be sure to check out my map to see all these places at a glance.
If you’ve been to any of these Vegas beaches, or you have a question, leave me a comment below! Have a safe trip!
