‘Dr. Beach’ Is Back With His 2019 Best Beach List
With the unofficial start of summer upon us this Memorial Day weekend, it’s time for Dr. Beach’s annual survey of America’s best seaside spots to visit. Beaches in both North and South Carolina are in the top ten.
Dr. Beach is the alias of Stephen Leatherman, a coastal scientist and professor at Florida International University. He has been ranking U.S. beaches since 1991. While visiting each beach, Leatherman creates his list using 50 criteria, including water cleanliness, safety, and amenities. He looks at data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to grade the water quality.
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2019’s best beach is Kailua Beach on Oahu in Hawaii. Kailua came out on top because of its clear, calm water and soft, white powdery sand. Kailua was also named the best beach in 1998, making it a two-time winner.
This year, the Carolinas are represented by Kiawah Beachwalker Park (#10) and Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach (#2). Ocracoke also ranked second last year and was #1 on Dr. Beach’s list in 2007. It’s the only North Carolina beach to ever top the list but can’t hold that distinction again under Leatherman’s updated rules designed to give other beaches a chance.
1. Kailua Beach, Oahu, Hawaii
2. Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach, North Carolina Outer Banks
3. Grayton Beach State Park in the Florida panhandle
4. Coopers Beach, Southampton, New York
5. Duke Kahanamoku Beach on Oahu, Hawaii
6. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
7. Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin-Clearwater, Florida
8. Hapuna State Beach Park on Hawaii’s Big Island
9. Coronado Beach, San Diego, California
10. Kiawah Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina
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