MIAMI, May 23 (UPI) -- Dr. Beach, also known as Stephen Leatherman of Florida International University, announced his list of the nation's top beaches on the eve of Memorial Day weekend Friday, and the winner is Kaanapali, Hawaii.
Second on the list was Port De Soto Park, Fla., and Ocracoke Island, N.C. was third. Fourth was Hanalei Bay, Hawaii, and fifth was Caladesi Island State Park, Fla.
Kaanapali Beach in Hawaii is three miles long, and located on the dry, sunny side of Maui.
"White coral sand bathed by clear, emerald green water is just one of the factors that contributed to Kaanapali Beach's No. 1 ranking," Dr. Beach said.
"In addition, the No. 1 beach maintains a critical balance between nature and the built environment," he said.
Leatherman, director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Florida International, compiled his 13th annual list by using a list of 50 criteria.
They include temperature of the water and air, size and number of waves, rip currents, color of the sand, smell, bugs, safety record and trash.
The second five rankings include, in order, Main Beach, East Hampton, N.Y.; Makalwena Beach, Hawaii; Hanauma Bay, Hawaii; Cape Florida State Park, Fla.; Cape Hatteras, N.C.
Leatherman said he considered all of the major beaches -- about 650.
He said Hawaii and Florida have the highest number of top beaches because their water is the warmest and clearest. They also have the abundant sunshine so their beaches may be enjoyed all year. The number of beaches also is a factor.
He said the West Coast beaches were absent from the rankings because they are often chilly by East Coast standards.
Leatherman said the waves are great for surfing but often produce dangerous conditions especially by generating strong rip currents.
There were no fresh-water beaches on the list this year, but Leatherman evaluated Lake Michigan beaches in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin last summer.
He said they were surprisingly beautiful and well-maintained.
He said he intends to produce a summer-time Top Fresh-Water Beaches List once he has surveyed all the major beaches in the Great Lakes region.
