So what are the best beaches in the US in 2009? Dr. Stephen Leatherman, aka Dr. Beach, renowned author and professor of environmental studies at Florida International University (FIU) as well as director of FIU's Laboratory for Coastal Research, dishes out the gritty goods on the US's best beaches and rewards the country's sweetest sand with a coveted spot on his annual top ten list. Mixin' up the medicine on 2009's list are:
1. Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Hawaii
© Hawaii Tourism Japan (HTJ)
North Shore of Kauai island. Interesting weather up here; swim on Kauai's North shore with caution, though Hanalei Bay is said to be relatively safe. Get driving directions to Hanalei Bay.
2. Siesta Beach, Sarasota, Florida
© Siesta Key CVB
White, white, white sand and Gulf green water. Offers absolutely every beach amenity, which can be good or no -- clue: 800-car parking lot. 948 Beach Rd., Sarasota, Florida, 34242; 941-346-3207.
3. Coopers Beach, Southampton, New York
Need a parking permit and possibly a local friend. Cooper Neck Road Southampton, NY 11968; 631-283-6011.4. Coronado Beach, San Diego, California
Perfect California beach with whale watching in winter. Drive or take the ferry across the San Diego Bay. 619-522-7300.5. Hamoa Beach, Maui, Hawaii
© Ron Dahlquist
Hamoa Beach in Hana, West Maui, has potentially big surf, some facilities (like showers), and few crowds for such a well-known spot.
6. Main Beach, East Hampton, New York
Parking permits needed (and they're already sold out for 2009) near this great surfing spot "barricaded" (Surfline.com) by really, really rich people's houses. 631-324-8158.7. Cape Hatteras, Outer Banks, North Carolina
Public Domain Image
This National Seashore, the first of that designation in the US, covers over 70 miles from South Nags Head to Ocracoke Inlet. Make time to climb the Cape Hatteras lighthouse. 252-473-2111.
8. Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne, Florida
Licensed by Giovanni-P
Also called the Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Recreation Area, this beach is home to the Cape Florida lighthouse, built in 1825. Feel like a swim? Fifty miles from Bimini, Bahamas. 1200 Crandon Boulevard, Key Biscayne, FL, 33149; 305-361-5811.
9. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
© Getty Images / Jose Azel
New England beach scenery at its finest. Henry David Thoreau's "Great Beach" starts here. Eastham, MA.
10. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Eleven lovely miles of protected pines and palmettos on this barrier island with a river on one side and ocean on the other. 1 Beachwalker Dr., Johns Island, SC 29455; 843-768-2395. Don't forget your swimming suit. Doctor's orders. "The mountain teaches stability and grandeur; the ocean immensity and change."-- Orison Swett Marden
