The Best Beaches in the US, According to Dr. Beach

Want to know the best beaches in the US to visit this summer? The acclaimed authority on the subject, Dr Beach, is about to reveal his 34th annual “Top 10 Beach List” this Memorial Day weekend.

This popular list is produced by coastal expert Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, better known as Dr. Beach, who is a professor and director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Florida International University in Miami. Dr. Leatherman is an internationally known coastal scientist who has published 20 books and hundreds of scientific articles and reports about storm impacts, coastal erosion, and ways to improve beach health and safety.

St. George Island in the panhandle area of Florida; Photo by Jim Schwabel

BEST US BEACHES RATING CRITERIA
Since 1991, Dr. Leatherman has been evaluating the best US beaches using 50 criteria that you probably never even thought about, each scored on a 5-point scale. Most travelers are happy with blue water, white sand, and sun-kissed days. But Dr. Leatherman takes a scientific approach to rate the best beaches in the U.S.

He goes on to capture the basics, including the number of sunny days and the quality of sand. He also studies the beach's width at low tide; its sand's softness, color, and material; water and air temperature; size of breaking waves; beach slope; and more. The studies are monitored during the holiday season and findings are listed on his website. Over the years, Dr. Beach has personally been to all of the 650 major public recreational beaches in the U.S., though the list is updated annually with the assistance of local researchers.

Coopers Beach in South Hampton, New York; Photo by TraceRouda/iStock.com

WHAT MAKES A BEACH THE BEST?
Dr. Beach’s ranking is predominantly for swimming (not surfing) beaches where families can enjoy a long walk on soft, fine sand and a dip in warm, clean ocean waters. Pollution control is a huge factor to be named one of the best US beaches. Beaches that prohibit smoking tend to be cleaner as cigarette butts are the number one source of litter. He also looks for safety factors such as lifeguards on duty and the presence of rip currents.

Giving priority to sustainable tourism, Dr. Beach’s picks typically include less crowded beaches that have picturesque backgrounds, thriving bird and marine life, protected coral reefs, and environmental investment initiatives.

According to Leatherman, the U.S. has high water quality standards, and the beaches here are typically cleaner and more environmentally friendly than in some other countries in the world.

Duje Kahanamoku Beach in Oahu, Hawaii; Photo by HABesen/iStock.com

AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
Dr. Leatherman travels all over the country, reviewing, evaluating, and rating beaches and coastal areas. In 2023, he rated St. George Island State Park in the Florida Panhandles number one, for its long barrier island, remoteness, crystal-clear water, sugary-fine sand, and abundance of birds. Other winners included Oahu’s Duje Kahanamoku Beach with a backdrop of the iconic Diamondhead volcano, Southampton’s Coopers Beach for its grainy-white quart sand, and Outer Banks’ Lighthouse Beach in Buxton where you can see wave refraction along a string of sand in the ocean.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A TOP 10 BEACH?
Many travel publications come up with their own “top 10” lists every year. This brings more awareness and exposure to some beaches that you may not have heard of or been to before, so you can consider them for your summer travels. But popularity also brings higher foot traffic and disturbs local residents who may have chosen to live by a quiet beach. It is important to respect the area you visit and leave no trace after a day at a public beach.

The goal of Dr. Beach’s annual list is to provide travelers with a responsible source of healthy and safe beaches in the country. But consider that only 10 beaches are called out in the rankings, though many of the 650 are still great for visiting. Ultimately, you need to choose what is the right beach for you.