Exploring Coastal Cultures

What makes being by the sea so magical?

By Kiera Dunlevy

Graphic by Katelyn Holland

While the beach is frequently associated with warmth, summer, and vacations, coastal communities find comfort in the ocean’s horizon, even on some of the most gloomy, frigid days. Even in the dead of winter, locals frequently take advantage of walking unoccupied boardwalks and allowing their dogs to romp freely on the undisturbed sand. Surfers brave the unpleasant ocean temperatures to catch winter swells as photographers flock to snap photos of them through gloved fingers. 

Growing up by the beach shaped my upbringing and inspired many of my passions, a sensation I’ve noticed soaks through my entire community. As I go through college and exchange descriptions of hometowns with people from around the globe, I realize that a significant part of my area’s identity stems from its coastal geography. The ocean bleeds into the fabric of each community, and it brushes its waves against them, building uniquely coastal cultures by simply existing.

Wellness

With easy access to a natural resource like the ocean, getting outside and building appreciation for the planet becomes more routine. Whether you get to sunbathe year-round in the sands of Key West or Oahu, hike through the otherworldly coastlines of the Pacific Northwest, or enjoy walks on the boardwalk like those from my hometown at the Jersey Shore, we’re simply drawn to the ocean. Its calming presence makes communities more inclined to get out of their houses and come together in nature—a privileged opportunity in a device-driven world.

Surf Culture

While it’s a somewhat stereotypical association to draw with beach towns, surf culture truly does penetrate coastal communities across the globe.

Southern California beach towns live up to their surf-centric reputation, cultivating a laid-back energy that defines the broader SoCal culture. On the East Coast, surfers take advantage of good waves no matter how low the wind chill drops. Even in places typically unassociated with the sport, if there are waves, there are surfers. From Midwest towns off the Great Lakes to the cliffed shores of Ireland, pockets of surf culture not only exist but flourish. When you live in a coastal area like this, even if you’ve never picked up a surfboard, chances are your closet is full of Billabong and O’Neill. 

Music & Arts

Beyond the art of surfing and the community the sport cultivates, a community’s magical connection to the ocean is also responsible for some of the greatest creations of art and music. From the groovy sounds of reggae that originated in the island nation of Jamaica to Southern California’s 1960s advent of surf rock, coastal culture frequently intertwines with pop culture. 

Furthermore, the coast is a popular home to visual artists. Whether you run into a painter bringing a canvas to life on a coastal cliff or a surf photographer capturing the energy of the perfect wave, it’s difficult to avoid artistry with the ocean’s horizon in your eyeline.

Ultimately, if you’re in the market for a coastal getaway, there’s an endless array of options to sift through, and each region and community brings its own unique identity to the table.