STEPHEN P. LEATHERMAN, aka DR. BEACH, a professor at Florida International University in Miami, lists the best beaches of the year. Criteria for the selections include physical factors such as sand softness, wave size and current strength; biological factors such as water color, water quality and prevalence of pests and human-use factors and impacts such as lifeguard protection, visual obstructions and amenities. Ask our Vacation Specialists to make your travel arrangements to Dr. Beach's best beaches!
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National Winners
Dr. Beach's Top 10 Beaches
(Announced annually on Memorial Day)
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Dr. Beach's Top 10 Beaches
(Memorial Day List 2005)
1. Fort DeSoto Park - North Beach, St. Petersburg, Florida - National Winner
2. Ocracoke
Island, Outer Banks, North Carolina
3. Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Hawaii
4. Caladesi Island State Park, Clearwater, Florida
5. Fleming Beach, Maui, Hawaii
6. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
7. Coronado Beach, San Diego, California
8. Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne, Florida
9. Main Beach, East Hampton, New York
10. Hamoa Beach, Maui, Hawaii
DR. BEACH'S TOP-10 LIST
Stephen Leatherman, aka Dr. Beach, is a professor of environmental studies at Florida International University in Miami and serves as the director of the school's Laboratory for Coastal Research. For 14 years, he has rated the nation's beaches, searching shorelines from coast to coast for the perfect blend of water temperature and quality of water and sand, along with less-obvious standards such as beach management, facilities and litter control. He uses at least 60 criteria and asks experts from park rangers to naturalists to help him crown the top 10.
Previous
National Winners
# 1 - Hanauma Bay, Oahu, Hawaii
For more information on Hawaii's beaches, click on Hawaii
2004
Hanauma Bay, Oahu, Hawaii
2003 Kaanapali Beach, Maui, Hawaii
2002 St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, Florida
2001 Poipu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii
2000 Mauna Kea Beach, Big Island, Hawaii
1999 Wailea Bay Beach, Maui, Hawaii
1998 Kailua Beach Park, Oahu, Hawaii
1997 Hulopoe, Lanai, Hawaii
1996 Lanikai Beach, Oahu, Hawaii
1995 St. Andrews State Recreation Area, Florida
1994 Grayton Beach State Park, Florida
1993 Hapuna, Big Island, Hawaii
1992 Bahia Honda State Recreation Area, Florida
1991 Kapalua Bay Beach, Maui, Hawaii
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