Top beach in the US perfect for a Siesta
Source: Agencies |
May 28, 2011, Saturday
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AFTER years as a bridesmaid in the best-beach rankings, Sarasota's Siesta Beach is finally the bride.
The wide slice of brilliant white sand and warm, emerald water on Florida's southwest Gulf coast was named the best beach in the United States yesterday in an annual survey by Florida International University professor Steven Leatherman, who is also known as "Dr Beach."
Siesta Beach, 16 hectares of almost pure quartz crystal sand on the Siesta Key barrier island, was runner-up for the past two years and third in 2008.
"The sand is like sugar," said Leatherman, director of the university's Laboratory for Coastal Research. "Some people can't believe it. You have to bring sunglasses because it's so bright. It's super soft, super fine. They claim to have the finest, whitest sand in the world, and I can't argue with that."
San Diego's Coronado Beach was runner-up. Rounding out the top 10 were Kahanamoku Beach in Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii; Main Beach, East Hampton, New York; Cape Hatteras in North Carolina; St George Island State Park, Florida Panhandle; Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina; Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts; Waimanalo Bay Beach Park, Oahu, Hawaii, and Cape Florida State Park near Miami.
Leatherman ranks beaches on 50 criteria, including the look and feel of the sand, water quality, weather, facilities and crowds. A top score is 250. Siesta Beach came in the 230s.
Once a beach reaches the top of Leatherman's list, it is retired from future surveys.
He said eliminating each year's winner hasn't diluted the quality of the rankings.
"The good thing about the United States is we have hundreds of beautiful beaches," he said. "I can die before I run out of beaches."
The wide slice of brilliant white sand and warm, emerald water on Florida's southwest Gulf coast was named the best beach in the United States yesterday in an annual survey by Florida International University professor Steven Leatherman, who is also known as "Dr Beach."
Siesta Beach, 16 hectares of almost pure quartz crystal sand on the Siesta Key barrier island, was runner-up for the past two years and third in 2008.
"The sand is like sugar," said Leatherman, director of the university's Laboratory for Coastal Research. "Some people can't believe it. You have to bring sunglasses because it's so bright. It's super soft, super fine. They claim to have the finest, whitest sand in the world, and I can't argue with that."
San Diego's Coronado Beach was runner-up. Rounding out the top 10 were Kahanamoku Beach in Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii; Main Beach, East Hampton, New York; Cape Hatteras in North Carolina; St George Island State Park, Florida Panhandle; Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina; Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts; Waimanalo Bay Beach Park, Oahu, Hawaii, and Cape Florida State Park near Miami.
Leatherman ranks beaches on 50 criteria, including the look and feel of the sand, water quality, weather, facilities and crowds. A top score is 250. Siesta Beach came in the 230s.
Once a beach reaches the top of Leatherman's list, it is retired from future surveys.
He said eliminating each year's winner hasn't diluted the quality of the rankings.
"The good thing about the United States is we have hundreds of beautiful beaches," he said. "I can die before I run out of beaches."
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