Hi there!
The best beaches in America are some of the most beautiful places in America!
So, how about looking to science to figure out the best beaches in America?!
Now, you may not be surprised to learn that the states of Hawaii and Florida have some of the best beaches in America.
But how is it determined, according to science, which specific beaches in Hawaii and Florida (and elsewhere along America’s beautiful coastlines!) are the best of the best?!
👆 Former #1 best beach in America, Grayton Beach State Park in Florida.
So I had seen mentions of a Dr. Beach here and there on lists of beach towns and beach vacation spots, and I thought Dr. Beach was some marketing name self-proclaimed by some random person, not an actual doctor.
One day, after once again seeing some beach was named among the best beaches in America by Dr. Beach, I decided to see who this “Dr. Beach” actually is.
So…
Who is Dr. Beach?!
Well, as it turns out, Dr. Beach is quite literally a doctor of beaches!
Dr. Beach is a scientist (with a PhD) who studies beaches!
Or more formally he is listed as a coastal scientist who seeks to improve “beach health” and beach safety, among other things.
He is also listed as part of the Department of Earth and Environment and the Sea Level Solutions Center at Florida International University (FIU) in Miami with a specialty in geomorphology.
Be sure to see the “how it started” section. It’s actually quite the story!
What qualifies as one of the best beaches in America?
Dr. Beach now comes up with a top 10 beaches list every year to tell the world the best beaches in the United States are.
This top 10 beaches list is released every year on Memorial Day weekend (aka the unofficial start of summer).
And the “best” beach is determined by numbers, based on 50 different physical factors of a beach.
These include things that can measure comfort and convenience for a beach vacation, like water temperature, amenities, wave measurements, safety, how sandy the beach is, and more.
This creates a list of not only some of the prettiest beaches in America, but the best destinations for a beach vacation in the US.
Here are just some of the qualities that Dr. Beach looks for in determining the best beach in America:
- A beach width of more than 100 meters at low tide
- A beach with soft sand
- A water temperature of 70 to 80 degrees in-season
- An air temperature of 80 to 90 degrees in-season
- A lot of sunny days
- Minimal amount of rain
- Minimal wind
- Gently sloping bottom in the water (aka no steep drop-off when you’re in the water)
- No rip currents
The ocean is powerful!
One of the stated goals of Dr. Beach is to increase awareness about the dangers of rip currents.
Know before you go!
According to the National Ocean Service, rip currents account for 80% of beach rescues.
Before heading off to the beach, talk with your group about what to do if you find yourself in a rip current!
In short:
- Don’t fight the current.
- Swim parallel to shore.
Learn about rip currents from the National Ocean Service (NOAA).
If the beach you are going to has a beach flag, take extra caution based on the color of the beach flag!
If you see a beach flag, it will be a green flag, yellow flag, or a red flag.
Even if the flag indicates generally “calm conditions,” it’s still the ocean, so take care!
Side note!
Oceans aren’t the only beautiful shorelines in America!
If you are after beautiful views, then be sure to also take a look at America’s amazing national lakeshores!
Things you might want to pack for your beach vacation:
- The perfect type of swimming shirt for a beach vacation
- Do you need water shoes?
- Cheapo waterproof phone case
- Why wear reef-safe sunscreen?!
And now…
Top 5 best beaches in America
In 2021, the top 10 best beaches in America included beaches in 7 states:
- Hawaii (x2)
- New York
- North Carolina (x2)
- Florida (x2)
- California
- South Carolina
- Massachusetts
1. Hapuna Beach State Park, Hawaii
Best beach in Hawaii
Explore the map.
Plan your U.S. beach vacation to Hawaii:
- Read the reviews of Hapuna Beach State Park
- Best state parks in Hawaii on the Big Island
- Things to do in Hawaii on the Big Island
- Best beaches in Hawaii
👆 There have been many Hawaii beaches that have been named #1 beach in America. See more of the best beaches in Hawaii.
2. Coopers Beach, New York
Best beach in New York
Explore the map.
Plan your U.S. beach vacation to New York:
- Read the reviews of Coopers Beach
- Things to do in New York on Long Island
3. Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach, North Carolina
Best beach in North Carolina
Explore the map.
Plan your U.S. beach vacation to North Carolina:
- Read the reviews of Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach
- Cape Hatteras National Seashore
- Things to do in North Carolina on the Outer Banks
4. St. George Island State Park, Florida
Best beach in Florida
Explore the map.
Plan your U.S. beach vacation to Florida:
- Read the reviews of St. George Islands State Park
- Things to do in Florida along the Forgotten Coast
- Best beaches in Florida near Destin FL
- Driving from Destin and the Florida Panhandle to Orlando
5. Lighthouse Beach, North Carolina
Explore the map.
Plan your U.S. beach vacation to North Carolina:
- Read the reviews of Lighthouse Beach
- Cape Hatteras National Seashore
- Things to do in North Carolina on the Outer Banks
Quick lists of the best beaches in America!
Top 10 best beaches in America in 2021
- Hapuna Beach State Park, Hawaii
- Coopers Beach, New York
- Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach, North Carolina
- St. George Island State Park, Florida
- Lighthouse Beach, North Carolina
- Duke Kahanamoku Beach, Hawaii
- Caladesi Island State Park, Florida
- Coronado Beach, California
- Beachwalk Park, South Carolina
- Coast Guard Beach, Massachusetts
Top 10 best beaches in America in 2020
- Grayton Beach State Park, Florida
- Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach, North Carolina
- Coopers Beach, New York
- Duke Kahanamoku Beach, Hawaii
- Lighthouse Beach, North Carolina
- Caladesi Island State Park, Florida
- Hapuna Beach, Hawaii
- Coast Guard Beach, Massachusetts
- Coronado Beach, California
- Beachwalker Park, South Carolina
And that’s a bit about the best beaches in the United States!
These beaches won’t be making Dr. Beach’s list of top 10 beaches in America anytime soon, but for amazing views of water, here are some more US vacations for you to consider:
- National lakeshores in Michigan
- Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
- Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
- Lake Superior road trip
- Camping near Lake Superior
- Camping near Lake Michigan
- Lake Erie road trip
Plan your beach vacation:
- The perfect type of swimming shirt for a beach vacation
- Do you need water shoes for your beach vacation?
- Cheapo waterproof phone case
- Why wear reef-safe sunscreen?!
HAPPY BEACH VACATION IN THE U.S.!