‘Dr. Beach’ lists the top 10 beaches in the US for 2023

Best Beaches 2023 in the US are released this week by “Dr. Beach,” aka coastal scientist Stephen Leatherman.

Stephen Leatherman, also known as "Dr. Beach," is an American geoscientist, coastal ecologist, and professor at Florida International University. Leatherman unveiled his list of the top 10 beaches in the United States within Memorial Day. Since 1991, Leatherman has ranked America's top beaches, and this year marks the 32nd year he has rated the best of America's 650 public beaches.

He evaluates hundreds of public beaches in the United States using 50 criteria. Beach width, the presence of animals, sand softness and sand type, wave activity, water temperature and color, wildlife, the presence of lifeguards, the amount of development and crowding, and many other elements are among the requirements. Dr. Beach also pays more attention to beaches that prohibit cigarette smoking because he finds the criteria of avoiding discarded butts important.

Half of the best ten beaches in the USA in 2023 fall within Florida and Hawaii

Amazing beaches in Florida ranks high position in this Top 10

According to the yearly ranking announced on May 18 by Dr.Beach, Florida's state park on St. George Island, just off the Florida Panhandle, has been offered the country's greatest beach for 2023.

"The beach features some of the whitest, finest sand in the world. The water is crystal clear and clean, far from any pollution sources on this offshore barrier island", according to Leatherman.

While St. George Island usually appears on the list, its natural magnificence of the wilderness is what made it on top this year. The barrier island park along the Gulf Coast has nine miles of gorgeous beaches. Nature trails placed in this area, according to Leatherman, are ideal for biking and hiking, as well as a variety of other activities such as fishing, swimming, kayaking, cycling, and camping.

St. George has more to offer than just great swimming and sunbathing. It's also an excellent location for stargazing, with less light pollution and an observation platform for viewing the night sky. "There are so many things there that capture my imagination. It's a beautiful place," Leatherman explained in an interview.

The park is located on the east end of the island, which is connected to the mainland by a bridge that spans Apalachicola Bay, which is famous for its oysters. The island's other areas include a small community, restaurants, rental residences, and motels.

Caladesi Island State Park near Clearwater and Dunedin, Florida's second Gulf Coast beach, also cracked the top 10 and is ranked fourth this year. It's mostly accessible via ferry and private boat. Relying on the tides, it's also possible to walk there from Clearwater Beach.

"The white beach is composed of crystalline quartz sand, which is soft and cushy at the water's edge, inviting many visitors to dip in the sparklingly clear waters," Dr.Beach explained. Regarding recreational activities, Caladesi includes natural trails for boardwalk and kayaking through mangroves, which are home to several species of fish, birds, and other wildlife.

Stunning beaches in Hawaii in this Top 10

Duke Kahanamoku Beach on the Hawaiian island of Oahu is the second-ranked beach for 2023, located on the west end of the iconic Waikiki Beach, with lesser visitors than the more crowded parts. The magnificent view of the Diamond Head volcano rising in the distance can be seen from Duke Kahanamoku Beach, making it an extremely beautiful background. Also, considering the offshore coral reef, this beach is ideal for families with children.

The other Hawaii beaches in this year top ten are Wailea Beach in Maui and Poipu Beach in Kauai.

None of Florida's Atlantic beaches are among the Dr. Beach top 10 beaches in 2023. Because, as Leatherman pointed out, sargassum seaweed is causing damage on the Atlantic coast this year. Hawaii had three beaches on the list. New York, North Carolina, California, South Carolina, and Massachusetts have the other five beaches. Each state placed one beach on Dr. Beach's best beaches 2023 list.