DUNEDIN, Fla., May 22 (UPI) -- A barrier island state park near Tampa has won top honors this year on the best-beach list produced by a Florida International University coastal geologist.
Stephen Leatherman, also known as Dr. Beach, announced the 2008 Top 10 list from Caladesi Island State Park, Tampa Bay Newspapers reported. He called the park, reachable by ferry from Honeymoon Island State Park a "well-kept secret."
In addition to soft white sand, the park offers kayaking through the mangroves on the bay side and a wildlife preserve.
Leatherman, who directs the International Hurricane Center at FIU, has been producing his annual list since 1991 when he was at the University of Maryland. Every year, he evaluates 650 beaches around the country for everything from the softness of the sand to the quality of lifeguards.
The rest of the list includes No. 2. Hanalei Beach, Hawaii; 3. Siesta Key Beach, Sarasota, Fla.; 4. Coopers Beach, Southhampton, N.Y.; 5. Coronado Beach, San Diego, Calif.; 6. Main Beach, East Hampton, N.Y.; 7. Hamoa Beach, Hawaii; 8. Cape Hatteras, N.C.; 9. Cape Florida State Park; 10. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, S.C.
