The busy summer travel season is here, and airlines are working hard to keep their planes and people moving without much headache to the customer.
23.05.2024 - 22:45 / forbes.com
With summer just around the corner, beach lovers are eager to find the best sandy spots in the U.S. The person with the answers: Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, also known as Dr. Beach.
Every year, Leatherman ranks the top U.S. beaches along the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts. He uses 50 criteria scored on a five-point scale, including sand softness, number of sunny days, cleanliness, and more.
A geoscientist and coastal ecologist, Leatherman earned his nickname while teaching a course on waves and beaches at the University of Maryland. His students began calling him “Dr. Beach.”
This year, Duke Kahanamoku Beach in Hawaii has been named the number one beach in the United States in Dr. Beach’s annual Best Beaches awards, published just in time for Memorial Day Weekend.
What Leatherman loves about Duke Kahanamoku Beach: “It has the finest white coral sand and clear water, with the iconic Diamondhead volcano in the distance,” he said in a statement. “Its location at the west end of Waikiki Beach means it’s far from the large crowds, making it the widest beach on this world-famous stretch of sand.”
The winning beach is protected by an offshore coral reef, which makes it an ideal spot for families with children. The nearby Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon is also a favorite for bathing and swimming. “Hawaii’s smoking ban on all beaches enhances public health and protects marine life, earning extra points in my ranking,” said Leatherman.
Unfortunately, North Carolina’s Lighthouse Beach, a long-time favorite, is absent from this year’s list due to severe erosion and environmental contamination from an old U.S. Navy submarine spy station revealed by coastal storms. “Lighthouse Beach is an erosion hotspot and currently caught in an environmental and bureaucratic mess,” said Leatherman.
From Hawaii to Florida, here are Dr. Beach’s 10 best beaches for 2024.
Why it made the list: “Kahanamoku Beach is located on the west end of Waikiki Beach, far from the large crowds elsewhere,” says Leatherman. “It is the widest beach on this world-famous stretch of sand and protected by an offshore coral reef, making it a good beach for families with children.”
A tip: Check out the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon, which is protected by an offshore coral reef—“ideal for families with children,” says Leatherman. The iconic Diamond Head volcano adds to its picturesque beauty.
Why it made the list: “Coopers Beach is located on the south shore of Long Island, shielded from the cold Labrador currents in the beautiful village of Southampton,” says Leatherman. “This first Gold Coast in the country is hundreds of yards wide, made of grainy white quartz sand, and backed by large sand dunes and extravagant mansions.”
A tip: “Some of the best beach access in
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