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Every year, Dr. Beach releases a ranking of the top 10 beaches in the US. He's been doing this since 1991.
Every beach on the list is assessed according to 50 criteria, including sand and water quality, smell, safety, environmental management, and the local scene.
Year after year, Dr. Beach, formally Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, releases his renowned list of the best beaches in America. The list isn't willy nilly though. Leatherman is the director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Florida International University, and he's chosen every beach on the list according to 50 criteria.
2017-05-25
Criteria includes sand and water quality, smell, safety, environmental management, and even the local scene, to name a few. He even doles out extra points to beaches that prohibit smoking.
Here are Dr. Beach's Best Beaches in America 2017, just in time for summer.
10. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Located on the southern portion of Kiawah Island, Beachwalker Park is a public park and a calm seaside oasis that nature lovers, bird watchers, and paddle boarders flock to.
9. Coronado Beach, San Diego, California
Coronado's world famous beach.Robert Cravens/Shutterstock
This stunning beach is hundreds of yards wide, and surrounded by unique, subtropical vegetation. It's a favorite among surfers and ship watchers.
8. Hapuna Beach, Big Island, Hawaii
Hapuna Beach State Park.Anna Abramskaya/Shutterstock
Winter provides Hapuna with powerful waves, while summer brings calm, clear water that's excellent for snorkeling and swimming.
7. Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin/Clearwater, Florida
Caladesi Island State Park sees wonderful weather year round.Courtesy of Dr. Beach
This Gulf Coast beach can only be reached by pedestrian ferry boat, private boats, or a long walk north from Clearwater Beach. The crystalline quartz sand is super soft, and the warm, emerald waters make swimming fun year-round.
6. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
This Cape Cod beach is only accessible by bike or shuttle bus.Jay Petersen/Shutterstock
The warmest the water gets is 60 to 70 degrees, but during the hot summer months it's a perfectly refreshing dip for those looking to cool down.
The turquoise blue waters and smooth, white sand are some of the prettiest you'll find in Florida. And it doesn't hurt that the nearby town of Seaside is a perfect place to grab a bite once you're done on the beach. Camping is also available in this state park, which also features tidal lakes and freshwater ponds.
3. Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach, Outer Banks of North Carolina
The stunning sand dunes of Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach.Courtesy of Dr. Beach
This beach can see pretty big waves at the end of summer, which is great for surfers, but families with younger children will appreciate this wild beach much more if they arrive earlier in the year.
This small, crescent-shaped beach was formed by lava flows. It's protected by rocky headlands on either side, giving it a wonderfully private feel, and its clear azure waters are perfect for snorkeling.
Amy is an editorial intern for INSIDER. She graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor's in editing, writing, and media. You can usually find her in line at Chipotle, but if that fails she can also be reached at adaire@jkmperu.com or online at @aedaireee.
