In 2023, half of the United States' top 10 beaches are in Hawaii and Florida.
That s according to the 2023 list of the best beaches in the US, published in May by Dr. Beach, aka coastal scientist Stephen Leatherman.
Florida's St. George Island State Park is among the top 10 schools in the state. The Gulf Coast, along with the barrier island park, boasts nine miles of pristine beaches. St. George boasts trails for biking and hiking, birding, fishing, boating and camping, as well as excellent swimming and sunbathing. It is a ideal spot for stargazing with limited light pollution and a platform for night sky exploration.
Leatherman, a professor at Florida International University, said the beach has some of the whitest, finest sand in the world. The water is crystal-clear and clean, far from any harmful sources of pollution on this offshore barrier island. Since 1991, Leatherman has been ranking America's best beaches.
He uses 50 criteria to evaluate hundreds of public beaches in the United States. The criteria include sand texture, water temperature, sand softness, and wildlife, among others.
The two beach for 2023, Duke Kahanamoku Beach on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, is located on the west end of the famous Waikiki Beach, with fewer visitors than the more crowded stretches. The beach at Diamond Head is a stunning landscape, with a protective underwater coral reef that serves as a hub for families with children.
The other Hawaii beaches in the top 10 this year are: Wailea Beach in Maui and Poipu Beach in Kauai.
In addition, California's Caladesi Island State Park in Dunedin Clearwater, Florida, also topped the list. Nobody of Florida's Atlantic beaches appear in the 2023 top 10; Leatherman pointed out that the Atlantic coastline is being affected by sargassum seaweed this year.
The other five beaches are in Massachusetts, North Carolina, California, South Carolina and New York. On the list, each state has one beach.