Best Beaches in the United States Await This Summer
Summer is coming and the best beaches in the United States await. For the past 30 years, Dr. Stephen Leatherman, better known as ‘Dr Beach,’ has compiled a list of the best beaches in the country. Letherman, who is director of Florida International University’s Coastal Research Laboratory, believes 50 extremely important criteria to elaborate the ranking. Some of the things he takes into account are the softness of the sand, the temperature of the water, the number of sunny days, and the size of the breaking waves.
Top 10 Beaches in America in 2023
1.St. George Island State Park, Florida
This island is placed in first place in the ranking of the best beaches in the United States this 2023 after being in fourth place last year. It is one of the favorite destinations for bathers, fishermen and bird watchers, since nature abounds. Following Hurricane Michael, the area has rebounded substantially, especially the white sand beach.
2. Duke Kahanamoku Beach, Oahu, Hawaii
This beach rose from fifth to second place last year to this 2023. Kahanamoku Beach is located on the west end of Waikiki Beach away from the big crowds elsewhere, with the iconic Diamondhead volcano in the distance. It is the widest beach on this stretch of sand and is protected by an offshore coral reef, making it a good beach for families with children.
3. Coopers Beach, Southampton, New York
As in 2022, this beach is in third place in the ranking. This beach located on the south shore of Long Island, New York, is hundreds of feet wide and made of grainy white sand. Some of the best beach access in the Hamptons exists at Coopers Beach.
4. Caladesi Island State Park, Florida
Caladesi is reached by ferry, private boats, or a long walk north from Clearwater Beach. The white beach is made up of crystal clear sand soft and comfortable at the water’s edge. There are walking trails along the boardwalk, but it also has kayak and canoe trails through the mangroves. This beach was found in second place in the ranking in 2022.
5. Lighthouse Beach, Buxton, North Carolina
Going up one place in the ranking from last year, Lighthouse Beach is where the old Cape Hatteras Lighthouse once stood. According to Dr. Beach, this lifeguarded beach is the number one spot for surfing on the Atlantic coast of the United States as the large offshore sandbars, known as Diamond Shoals, cause the refraction of the waves and concentrate the wave energy on this beach.
6. Coronado Beach, San Diego, California
Climbing one spot in the rankings from 2022, Coronado Beach is a true seaside oasis hundreds of feet wide. With its subtropical vegetation, unique Mediterranean climate, and fine, shimmering sand, beachgoers flock to this beach to watch the boats and enjoy the warm, gentle surf of summer.
7. Wailea Beach, Maui, Hawaii
Wailea Beach consists of a series of five beaches, which are part of the Wailea resort complex. The white coral sand beach is ideal for snorkeling when the ocean is calm. This beach moved up one spot in the rankings from the 2022 list.
8. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina
South of Charleston, Beachwalker Park is the public beach located on the southern tip of Kiawah Island. This is a coast full of nature, ideal for visitors with canoes and kayaks. Last year, this beach placed ninth in the ranking.
9. Poipu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii
Entering the ranking this year, this beach is located on the sunny and dry side of this island. The offshore island knocks down big waves, making it a place for kids to play. The place has snorkel rentals to explore the coral reef and surfboard rentals.
10. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Staying in the last place of the ranking, as in 2022, Coast Guard Beach is located where a tongue of sand stretches south from the cliffs of the glacial sea. During the summer, bathers take quick, refreshing dips in the ocean, as the water is cold.
