Dr. Beach (aka Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman) has evaluated all major public recreational beaches in the U.S. America and has recently released his his annual top 10 Beaches in the U.S. list for the 19th time.
On his website, Dr. Beach says beaches are the number one recreational destination for Americans. These sandy playgrounds that line our coasts are the most extensive natural parks in the country. Nothing restores the body and soul like a stay at the beach. We are naturally drawn to the rhythmic pounding of the waves as if returning to our primordial beginnings.
His annual list of the top 10 beaches is anxiously awaited as Leatherman bases his selections on 50 criteria, including water quality and temperature, cleanliness, weather, sand, safety and facilities.
This year's list is topped by Hanalei Bay on Kauai, Hawaii and the beaches of Cape Hatteras are now ranked number 7 on the list of top 10 beaches. Hanalei Bay, the top selection this year is located on Kauai's North Shore around the corner from the Napali Coast, the most stunning corner of the state. One side offers lush valleys, dramatic waterfalls and sculpted mountains with peaks that rise 1,219 metres. On the other is the Pacific, where dolphins and sea turtles can be seen.
This year's inclusion of the Cape Hatteras beaches of the Outer Banks means that area beaches have now been on Dr. Beaches' top 10 list now for the last 13 years. In 2007 the beaches of Ocracoke were named top beaches in America.
The complete top 10 list includes:
- 1 Hanalei Bay, Hawaii
- 2 Siesta Beach in Sarasota, Fla.
- 3 Coopers Beach in Southampton, N.Y., on Long Island
- 4 Coronado Beach in San Diego
- 5 Hamoa Beach in Maui, Hawaii
- 6 Main Beach in East Hampton, N.Y., on Long Island
- 7 Cape Hatteras in Outer Banks, N.C.
- 8 Cape Florida State Park in Key Biscayne, Fla
- 9 Coast Guard Beach on Cape Cod, Mass.
- 10 Beachwalker Park on Kiawah Island, S.C.
