Dr. Beach Names the Top 10 Beaches in the USA

  • May 30, 2017
Dr. Beach Names the Top 10 Beaches in the USA
Dr. Beach is actually Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman a coastal scientist and a professor at Florida International University. He has a passion for sun, sand and surf and carefully researches his selections.

This list may be one of the most scientific lists of top 10 beaches. Fifty criteria are taken into consideration when choosing the best beaches and they include water and sand quality as well as safety.

This year, the top beach on the list is Siesta Beach in Sarasota County, Fla. Siesta Beach also won the top honor in 2011. The list also includes beaches in Hawaii, California, South Carolina, North Carolina, Massachusetts and New York. Notably missing from this year’s list is last year’s top selection: Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve on Oahu in Hawaii.

Siesta Beach Sarasota, Florida

Siesta Beach is known for its perfect white sand, some of the finest in the world.

“Siesta Beach boasts that it has the finest, whitest sand in the world, which attracts sand collectors and beach lovers from all over,” said Leatherman in a statement.

Kapalua Bay Beach, Maui, Hawaii

Kapalua Bay is anchored by two rocky headlands formed from lava and creating a perfect crescent of beach and a pristine bay.

Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach, Outer Banks, N.C.

Ocracoke is home to Blackbeard, the famous pirate and has a wild feel but is still a hotspot for swimming and beach combing.

Grayton Beach State Park, Fla.

This beach likely makes the list for its stunning emerald waters abutting large sand dunes with tidal lakes and freshwater ponds adding to its allure.

Coopers Beach, Southampton, N.Y.

This beach offers some of the finest seaside access in the Hamptons and entices visitors with soft white sand, grass-covered dunes and extravagant mansions that line the shore.

Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Mass.

Picturesque and good for surfing. These are the attributes that drive visitors to she shores of Coast Guard Beach.

Caladesi Island State Park Dunedin/Clearwater, Fla.

Adventure enthusiasts are sure to love this beach with boardwalk trails through the mangroves, waterways ideal for kayaking and canoeing and exotic birds for birdwatchers.

Hapuna Beach State Park, Big Island, Hawaii

The only beach not on last year’s list, it’s not hard to see why it has been honored. The beach is located next to the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel and offers a wide sandy beach with warm, turquoise waters.

Coronado Beach, San Diego, Calif.

Coronado is the only California beach on the list but represents the state’s coastal culture well with sparkling sand and mild surf.

Beachwalker Park Kiawah Island, S.C.

This is another beach with tidal inlets that make it an explorer’s paradise. Also, it’s great for walking, cycling and birdwatching.

PHOTO CREDIT: Siesta Beach, Florida. (Flickr/Matt Elsberry)