A list of the best beaches in the U.S. has come out and there is a Tampa Bay beach in the Top 5. This comes from Dr. Beach, who picks the best beaches in the country. Dr. Beach’s real name is Stephen Leatherman. He is a professor in the Department of Earth & Environment at Florida International University. This is the 33rd year he’s rated the best of America’s 650 public beaches.
So, how does Dr. Beach come up with his list? He ranks the beaches based on 50 criteria. There is a focus on safety and cleanliness, whether lifeguards are present, level of development, and crowding. He also gives bonus points for beaches that ban smoking.
Since Dr. Beach lives in Florida he knows there are many great beaches in our beautiful state. Only two beaches in Florida made the Top 10 and both of them are in the Top 5. One Florida beach is the #1 overall beach and that is St. George Island in the Florida panhandle. The other Florida beach is right here in the Tampa Bay area and that is Caladesi Island State Park in Dunedin/Clearwater. Caladesi comes in at #4 on the list.
Below is the list of Top 10 best beaches in the U.S.
St. George Island State Park, Florida Panhandle
Located just south of Apalachicola in the Florida panhandle. Dr. Beach says that this is the #1 beach in the U.S.
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Duke Kahanamoku Beach, Oahu, Hawaii
This beach is located on west end of Waikiki Beach on the island of Oahu. Diamondhead volcano is also near this beach.
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Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin/Clearwater, Florida
Tampa Bay’s very own Caladesi is the #4 beach in the U.S. Dr. Beach says about the beach, “The white beach is composed of crystalline quartz sand which is soft and cushy at the water’s edge, inviting one to take a dip in the sparkling clear waters.”
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Lighthouse Beach, Buxton, Outer Banks of North Carolina
Located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina on Hatteras Island. Lighthouse Beach comes in at #5.
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Coronado Beach, San Diego
Coronado Beach comes in at #6. The beach is almost 2 miles long It has United States’ Naval Base beaches on both sides of it.
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Wailea Beach, Maui, Hawaii
Wailea means “the water of Lea”, who is the goddess of canoe makers. The water is clear, so you will see people snorkeling ion the waters.
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Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Located southwest of of Charleston, South Carolina. Beachwalker Park comes in at #8 on Dr. Beach’s list. I hope it is called Beachwalker because a lot of people love to walk the beach.
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Poipu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii
Located on the southern end of the Island of Kauai in Hawaii. There are underwater sea caverns and coral reefs for snorkeling. The sand is ideal for sunbathing as well.
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Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Located on the eastern edge of Cape Cod. Comes in #10 on the list.
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