For over three decades, Dr. Stephen Leatherman ("Dr. Beach") has reviewed, evaluated and rated beaches and coastal areas throughout the world. In addition to his annual ranking of America's Best Beaches, he works tirelessly to increase awareness about the dangers of rip currents and to promote no smoking at beaches.

2025 Top 10 Beaches

1. Coopers Beach, Southampton, New York - Coopers Beach is located on the south shore of Long Island, New York, shielded from the cold Labrador currents in the beautiful village of Southampton. Coopers Beach is hundreds of yards wide, made of grainy white quartz sand. The beach is backed by large sand dunes covered by American beach grass interspersed with extravagant mansions. Parking is expensive so the best deal is the “Hamptons Free Ride” which shuttles visitors from downtown Southampton to Coopers Beach in an electric bubble cart that holds 6-8 people. The best time of the year to visit is in September when the summer tourists are gone, and the ocean water is still warm.


2. Wailea Beach, Maui, Hawaii - Wailea Beach is a series of five pocket beaches, which are part of the Wailea resort complex that is mandated to provide a public right-of-way for visitors. The white coral sand beach gently slopes offshore and is great for snorkeling when the ocean is calm. The swanky hotels are set back far from the beach, providing a beautiful-landscaped park, adorned with tropical vegetation and flowering bushes and trees.


3. Poipu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii - Located on the sunny, dry side of this island is Poipu Beach, which is actually two beaches in one. A tombolo, which is a narrow sand spit that extends from the shore to an island, separates the two pocket beaches. The offshore island knocks down the big waves, so that small waves break gently on the shallow sandbar, creating a fun area for children to play. As you move along the crescent-shaped beach, the waves vary in size in response to the exposure to the Pacific Ocean.


4. Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, Naples, Florida - This barrier island beach boasts of beautiful white sand beaches and crystal-clear Gulf waters. Activities include swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, shelling, and fishing. Wildlife in the park includes bald eagles, ospreys, and manatees. Pine trees provide welcome shade.


5. Main Beach, East Hampton, New York - Main Beach provides the perfect blend of nature and built environment. Wealthy summertime residents flock to the beaches protected by a conservation easement that dates back over 300 years. Main Beach is a great place for star-spotting as many actors and actresses frequently visit this beach for its peaceful, countryside setting in a small village. The big, wide sandy beach composed of grainy quartz grains has towering sand dunes and beautiful clean and clear blue water. The best way to get around this beach is bicycling in order to avoid parking.


6. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina - South of Charleston, Beachwalker Park is the public beach located on the southern end of Kiawah Island. This is a nature-lovers coast so visitors can bring their canoes and kayaks to paddle through the tidal inlets. It is also fun to walk or bicycle down the fine-grained sand beach to Captain Sam’s Inlet to see thousands of birds. The water is not clear, but it is clean and provides fantastic seafood.


7. St. Andrews State Park, Panama City, FL - St. Andrews is just east of Panama City Beach which features high-rise hotels and many built attractions like putt-putt golf courses. An inlet separates a short section of St. Andrews from the main part of the park which is only accessed by boat both ferry and private. This strikingly white sandy beach is great for shelling and bird watching. Swimming and snorkeling are popular in both the Gulf of America and St. Andrews Bay on the other side.


8. Kaunaoa, Big Island, Hawaii - This beach also known as Mauna Kea Beach is a hidden jewel, located within the Mauna Key Beach Resort. Kaunaoa is nearly a quarter mile-long pocket beach that features clear, turquoise water and white coral sand that contrasts with the black lava rock. You need to arrive early as there are a limited number of parking spots for visitors and ask the gate attendant for entry. You might want to take Uber or Lyft so that you can avoid paying for parking and access problems.


9. Lanikai Beach, Oahu, Hawaii - Lanikai Beach is quite small but arguably the most beautiful beach in Hawaii. The water is perfectly clear and shallow and usually calm with two offshore islands acting as a pictorial backdrop. Located in a residential neighborhood, parking is difficult. Your only options are to walk from Kailua Beach to Lanikai, which is less than half a mile on flat paved roads, take the loop bus or try your luck at finding a parking space on the side roads. The beach on the western end of Lanikai has eroded away with a seawall emplaced to protect private homes. The best place to visit this very special beach is on Mokumanu Drive where there is a big bulge of sand.


10. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts - Coast Guard Beach is accessible by bicycle from the Salt Pond Visitor’s Center or shuttle bus. The picturesque old Coast Guard station still sits atop the glacial bluffs, allowing for a spectacular view of the Nauset Spit barrier system and bay. During the summer, beachgoers take quick, refreshing dips in the ocean as the water is chilly. In recent years, seals have moved northward from Monomoy Island Wildlife Refuge into the populated beaches, which has attracted great white sharks. The lifeguards do a terrific job of warning if these predators are present by flying red flags with shark images on those days. Therefore, always swim near a lifeguard so that you will be safe.