America's Top 10 Beaches

Hawaii's Hanalei Bay comes out on top in 'Dr. Beach's' annual list

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 4, 2009 1:24 PM CDT

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America's Top 10 Beaches — A couple takes a stroll along Hanalei Bay in Hanalei, Hawaii. Hanalei Bay was named the nation's No. 1 beach in "Dr. Beach" Stephen P. Leatherman's annual rankings. (AP Photo/Jaymes Song)

The magnificent setting of Hawaii's Hanalei Bay helps make its beach this year's best in the US, according to Florida-based expert Steven "Dr. Beach" Leatherman. The runners-up, judged on 50 criteria including water quality and facilities:

Siesta Beach in Sarasota, Fla.
Coopers Beach in Southampton, NY
Coronado Beach in San Diego

Hamoa Beach in Maui
Main Beach in East Hampton, NY
Cape Hatteras in Outer Banks, NC
Cape Florida State Park on Key Biscayne, Fla.
Coast Guard Beach in Cape Cod
Beachwalker Park on Kiawah Island, SC

(More beach stories.)

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