For the 20th year, Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, aka Dr. Beach and director of Florida International University’s Laboratory for Coastal Research, has released his list of the top 10 beaches in the United States. This year, the Empire State of New York is home to the winner: Coopers Beach in Southampton on Long Island (not to be confused with Cooper's Beach in New Zealand on North Island). Coopers takes the crown after placing third last year.
Dr. Beach bases his selections on 50 specific criteria, including the beach's width at low tide, the condition and softness of the sand, water and air temperatures, breaking wave sizes, beach slope (underwater), longshore and rip currents, bathing area bottom conditions, turbidity, and more. Check out the full ratings system here.
Leatherman noted that Coopers's location on the south shore of Long Island shields it from the cold Labrador currents. With hundreds of yards of space for lying on grainy white quartz sand while scoping the turrets of Calvin Klein's mansion, among others, in the distance, the only negative Dr. Beach could note on Coopers is its pricey parking fee (which is avoidable via a 10-minute bike ride from the village).
Here is the list in full:
1. Coopers Beach in Southampton, New York
2. Siesta Beach in Sarasota, Florida
3. Coronado Beach in San Diego, California
4.Cape Hatteras in the Outer Banks of North Carolina
5. Main Beach in East Hampton, New York
6. Kahanamoku Beach in Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii
7. Coast Guard Beach in Cape Cod, Massachusetts
8. Beachwalker Park in Kiawah Island, South Carolina
9. Hamoa Beach in Maui, Hawaii
10. Cape Florida State Park in Key Biscayne, Florida
Visit www.drbeach.org.