Latest news with #DrBeach
Forbes
25-05-2025
- Forbes
The 10 Best Beaches In America, According To A New Report
An entrance to Cooper's Beach in Southampton, New York—which was named the best beach in the U.S. in a new report. What are the best beaches in the U.S.? Just in time for the kickoff to summer—Memorial Day Weekend—Stephen Leatherman, a.k.a. Dr. Beach, has released his annual list of the top 10 beaches in America. Leatherman, a professor in the department of Earth & Environment at Florida International University, has been ranking America's best beaches since 1991. He got his nickname when he was teaching a course on waves and beaches at the University of Maryland, and his students called him 'Dr. Beach.' Each year, Leatherman evaluates beaches across the country using 50 criteria, including sand softness, water quality, safety, amenities, environmental management and more. 'I give extra credit to beaches that have no smoking policies,' Leatherman told me in an interview. This year's winner is Coopers Beach in Southampton, New York. What makes this spot at the east end of Long Island the top beach in America? 'It's got clean air out there. It's got clean water. It's safe. It just seems like another world—it's such a dreamy place,' says Leatherman. Another factor that helped Coopers Beach grab the top spot: 'It is warm enough to swim in the summer, particularly starting July because it's shielded from the Labrador current,' says Leatherman. 'Another thing I like about the Hamptons in summertime—it doesn't get so bloody hot.' But don't count on seeing Coopers Beach on the list next year. Each year, Leatherman retires the winning beach and adds it to a hall of fame list to make room for new beaches. Past winners include Duke Kahanamoku Beach in Oahu, Hawaii (which won in 2024), St. George Island State Park in the Florida Panhandle (the 2023 winner), Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach in the Outer Banks of North Carolina (2022) and Hawaii's Hapuna Beach State Park (2021). Florida's St. Andrews State Park, a newcomer to the best beaches list. While some of the beaches on this year's list have appeared in past reports, Leatherman has stringent standards and doesn't let a beach rest on its laurels. Three beaches from last year's list were dropped due to erosion and environmental issues, including Coronado Beach in California (which is suffering from pollution from the Tijuana River), Caladesi Island in Florida (which had storm damage), and Lighthouse Beach in North Carolina (where erosion has uncovered hazardous infrastructure). In their place are three new entries—each offering something different, from secluded wildlife-rich shores to postcard-perfect tropical escapes. And while they're newcomers to the top 10, Leatherman says all three have long been contenders in his broader rankings. The three new entries are St. Andrews State Park in Florida, Hawaii's Kaunaoa Beach and Lanikai Beach on Oahu. So what are the best beaches in America? Read on for Dr. Beach's picks, from New York to Hawaii to Florida. A view of Coopers Beach in Southampton, New York with mansions in the distance. Why it made the list: 'It's a big white beach—hundreds of yards wide—and backed by large sand dunes covered by American beach grass interspersed with extravagant mansions,' says Leatherman. A tip: 'Parking is expensive so the best deal is the 'Hamptons Free Ride,'' says Leatherman. Another way to get there: 'I ride on my bike,' he says. Wailea Beach on the south shore of Maui, Hawaii. Why it made the list: 'Wailea actually is five beaches—pocket beaches. You've got all this beautiful tropical vegetation and flowers and everything,' says Leatherman. 'People often rate Maui as the most wonderful vacation island in the world. And it's true—I can't think of a single thing negative about Wailea beaches.' A tip: The Wailea beaches are public, and though there are hotels lining the beaches, don't be afraid to park. 'They have to allow you to park there,' says Leatherman. 'If somebody doesn't know the rules and tries to stop you, you have the rights to park at that beach.' Poipu Beach on Kauai. Why it made the list: 'Poipu is on the dry side of the island. It is what's called a 'tombolo'—it traps the sand but also makes a place where you don't get big waves,' says Leatherman. 'So if you got children, you've got a nice place where it's protected.' A tip: 'It's got something for everybody. Just depends on what you want. You want big waves and surfing? You want no waves? You want moderate size waves? You,' says Leatherman. 'I think it's pretty unique.' Boardwalk across the white sand beach of Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park in Naples, Florida. Why it made the list: 'This beach is crystal quartz sand, so it's even whiter than coral sand. It's a very big beach and there's plenty of room for everybody,' says Leatherman. 'You also find a good number of seashells there, plus great warm water. But don't bring your surfboard. There's no surf there—it's perfect for swimming.' A tip: 'Shuffle your feet in the water to make sure there's no stingrays out there. It'll scare them away,' says Leatherman. The deck of the public pavilion at Main Beach in East Hampton, Long Island. Why it made the list: 'The sand is a little more grainy than Coopers Beach, but it's still a great beach,' says Leatherman. 'It feels wild and natural in some ways, yet it's got facilities and a place to get food and drinks.' A tip: 'Main Beach is a great place for star-spotting—many actors and actresses frequently visit this beach,' says Leatherman. Kiawah Island, South Carolina. Why it made the list: 'This island south of Charleston has become a new Gold Coast. A lot of it is private, but the south end, before you get to the gate, is a really large public beach. You've got good parking, trees, shade and everything. This is also where I've seen the most birds of my life.' A tip: 'I would suggest you bring a bicycle because the sand is so fine you can ride a regular bicycle the whole 10 miles.' Walking at sunset along the pristine shore of St. Andrew State Park in Panama City Beach, Florida. Why it made the list: 'I like to take the ferry across the inlet to Shell Island. You're going to find lots of shells, lots of birds and beautiful water. You feel like you've really gotten away from it all,' says Leatherman. 'St. Andrews also has camping if you want to stay overnight.' A tip: 'If you want, you can go on the bay side. The water's not as clear there, but there's good fishing and shelling and birding. And they've got lots of trails.' Kaunaoa beach on the island of Hawaii. Why it made the list: 'This island has active volcanoes, but they're not active in this area. Kaunaoa is a beautiful little pocket beach—about a thousand feet wide. It's peaceful and has beautiful tropical vegetation,' says Leatherman. 'It's an oasis.' A tip: 'You have to pay for parking, so some people take Uber or Lyft to get there,' says Leatherman. A view of the twin islands of Na Mokulua from Hawaii's Lanikai Beach. Why it made the list: 'This is a little getaway beach that's tranquil and has very shallow water, so it's very safe,' says Leatherman. 'You don't have any restaurants, you don't have any hotels, you don't have any bathrooms, but it couldn't be any better from a scenery point of view, and the water quality is amazing.' A tip: 'There's not good parking here. It's a neighborhood beach, basically. You can park on the streets, if there's room, but what I usually do is I park in Kailua and walk,' says Leatherman. A sandy path leading to Coast Guard Beach on Cape Cod. Why it made the list: 'This is where the high cliffs meet the barrier beaches. It's named after the famous former Coast Guard station—a big white station that sits up on the hill,' says Leatherman. 'It's an idyllic spot.' A tip: 'They've got a free shuttle that takes you there. Or what I like to do is park at the Salt Pond Visitor Center and take a trail down to the beach with a bicycle.'
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
European city asks tourists to stop stealing cobblestones from its historic streets
Editor's note: Sign up for Unlocking the World, CNN Travel's weekly newsletter. Get news about destinations, plus the latest in aviation, food and drink, and where to stay. This week in travel news: makeup videos at 30,000 feet, the 'little Marrakech' none of your friends have been to, and a historic European city is losing its footing. And it's Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial kickoff to the busy summer travel season. That also means beach weather. 'Dr. Beach' has released his list of the top 10 US beaches, and this year's No. 1 isn't in Florida or Hawaii. When tourists say they wish they could take a piece of their favorite place home with them, sometimes they mean it a bit too literally. Belgium's picturesque city of Bruges has issued a request that tourists stop stealing cobblestones from its UNESCO-recognized medieval streets. Local politician Franky Demon says an estimated 50 to 70 cobblestones disappear per month — even more during peak season — and it costs 200 euros (about $225) per square meter to replace them and fix the damage. 'While some may see this as harmless or quirky, the consequences are serious,' Demon told CNN. 'The removal of cobblestones poses a clear safety risk to both residents and visitors. Missing or loosened stones create tripping hazards, and city workers must frequently be dispatched to carry out repairs.' Demon said that one 'perpetrator' apparently even took the time to replace a missing stone with a planted flower. 'A whimsical gesture, but one that underscores a lack of respect for our shared heritage,' he said. 'We simply ask for respect. Walking through Bruges means stepping through centuries of history,' said Demon. 'These cobblestones are not just pieces of stone — they are part of our city's soul. We urge visitors to enjoy Bruges, but to leave its beauty intact for others.' Like Venice, Barcelona and other historic European cities, Bruges has been struggling to cope with overtourism. In 2019, the city voted to reduce the number of cruise ships that would be allowed to dock in the nearby port of Zeebrugge and ended tourism promotion campaigns in nearby destinations like Paris to discourage day-trippers. Visitors to Bruges who want a memento of their vacation — maybe consider a box of Belgian chocolates instead? One way to avoid overtourism is to head to less expected locales. While Syria might not be top of mind for a summer holiday, the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad's regime has resulted in the country opening up to international visitors. Turkish Airlines and Qatar Airways have launched routes to Damascus, and adventure travel outfitters are in-country to try to get in on the ground floor. 'Now Assad is gone I'm sure the tourism industry will grow so fast. And as soon as governments stop saying 'Don't go to Syria,' tourism will explode,' local tourism operator Ayoub Alsmadi told CNN Travel. Morocco's Marrakech is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world, with its souks and mosques set against a desert backdrop. But many of the same beautiful features can be found in the southwestern Moroccan town of Taroudant — a 'little Marrakech' without the hordes of tourists. Located an hour and a half east of Agadir, this sun-soaked town was founded in the 11th century. Taroudant is a place where you can sip tea at a family-run restaurant, explore a historic fortress, or just relax in a traditional riad courtyard house. And if you're looking for an underwater vacation, you don't have to go to the Great Barrier Reef. The Philippines' Apo Reef Natural Park is the second-biggest contiguous coral reef system in the world. The reef is located in the Philippine Sea, 140 miles southeast of Manila, and is much less visited than its Australian cousin. That may change, though, as the government of the Philippines has submitted Apo Reef for UNESCO consideration — meaning now is a great time to go. It's one thing to miss a flight because you got stuck in a long security line. But Blake McGrath missed his plane for a very different reason — he's a professional dancer and decided to do some ballet turns in the airport. McGrath's dance video went viral and also started a trend of other performers — professional and amateur alike — doing dances in airports. He's not the only content creator starting a travel-related trend. Beauty influencers are taking their GRWM (Get Ready With Me) videos to the skies, transforming their seatback tray tables into vanity tables. But it's not just about putting on makeup. The air in airplane cabins is dry, so some of these TikTokers focus on skincare and moisturizers in the sky. As several of those influencers point out, you still need to wear sunscreen on planes. Our friends at CNN Underscored, a product reviews and recommendations site owned by CNN, have tested the best face sunscreens. Disneyland is turning 70 years old. Get ready for special discounts and deals aplenty. This New Delhi neighborhood used to be full of grand houses. Now, there's only one historic mansion left. A Lufthansa plane was pilotless for 10 minutes. One fainted while the other was in the bathroom. A British mountaineer just summited Mount Everest for the 19th time. It's the highest number of climbs for a non-Nepali climber.
CNN
22-05-2025
- CNN
The top 10 US beaches for 2025, according to ‘Dr. Beach'
If you've visited Cooper's Beach in Southampton on the eastern end of Long Island and concluded it's the best beach around, you're right. Because according to Dr. Beach, it's the No. 1 beach in the US. The beach's large sand dunes and pristine location put it over the top this year, according to Stephen Leatherman, a coastal scientist at Florida International University in Miami who's gained the nickname Dr. Beach for his annual rankings. The beach, located in the swanky Hamptons, ranked No. 2 last year, behind Hawaii's Duke Kahanamoku Beach on Oahu. 'It's a big, beautiful beach,' Leatherman told CNN in an interview. In fact, the only problem with Cooper's Beach is the traffic that sun worshippers will likely encounter in the crowded Long Island enclave — and the high cost of parking at the beach. But Dr. Beach recommends taking a free shuttle from downtown Southampton. Leatherman, who has been evaluating beaches since 1991, has developed a 50-factor checklist for determining the most beautiful expanses of sand in the United States. Criteria include the presence of algae, the prevalence of rip tides and the cleanliness of the beach, plus air and water temperatures. As in years past, Hawaii, New York and Florida dominated the list. Hawaii snagged the next two spots on the 2025 list, with Wailea Beach on the island of Maui coming in second, and Kauai's Poipu Beach ranking third. Kaunaoa on the island of Hawaii and Lanikai Beach on Oahu made the list farther down. Florida landed two spots on the list with the Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park in Naples at No. 4 and St. Andrews State Park in Panama City at No. 7. Leatherman points to the 'white sand beaches and crystal-clear Gulf waters' at Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park. He's also fond of the wildlife you can find there, including ospreys and manatees. Another perennial favorite that made the list again this year is Coast Guard Beach on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. In his write-up, Leatherman says, '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.' Don't see your favorite beach on the list? Erosion, pollution or damage from hurricanes could be the reason why. For example, Coronado Beach in San Diego ranked No. 10 last year but didn't make the list in 2025. Leatherman cited pollution in the nearby Tijuana River as the main factor. 'It's hosted kings and queens … but now Coronado is too polluted to go in the water,' he told CNN. California in fact didn't land a single beach on the list this year. Other beaches didn't make the cut because the water, while clean, isn't clear, a quality that's prized by beach aficionados. Such is the case for some of Georgia's beaches. In fact, Leatherman seeks out beaches where the water is 'aqua blue.' Meanwhile, cold water temps are to blame for some of Maine's most beautiful beaches failing to break the top 10. 'Water temperature is very important,' Leatherman said. 1. Coopers Beach, Southampton, New York2. Wailea Beach, Maui, Hawaii3. Poipu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii4. Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, Naples, Florida5. Main Beach, East Hampton, New York6. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina7. St. Andrews State Park, Panama City, Florida8. Kaunaoa, Big Island, Hawaii9. Lanikai Beach, Oahu, Hawaii10. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
CNN
22-05-2025
- CNN
The top 10 US beaches for 2025, according to ‘Dr. Beach'
If you've visited Cooper's Beach in Southampton on the eastern end of Long Island and concluded it's the best beach around, you're right. Because according to Dr. Beach, it's the No. 1 beach in the US. The beach's large sand dunes and pristine location put it over the top this year, according to Stephen Leatherman, a coastal scientist at Florida International University in Miami who's gained the nickname Dr. Beach for his annual rankings. The beach, located in the swanky Hamptons, ranked No. 2 last year, behind Hawaii's Duke Kahanamoku Beach on Oahu. 'It's a big, beautiful beach,' Leatherman told CNN in an interview. In fact, the only problem with Cooper's Beach is the traffic that sun worshippers will likely encounter in the crowded Long Island enclave — and the high cost of parking at the beach. But Dr. Beach recommends taking a free shuttle from downtown Southampton. Leatherman, who has been evaluating beaches since 1991, has developed a 50-factor checklist for determining the most beautiful expanses of sand in the United States. Criteria include the presence of algae, the prevalence of rip tides and the cleanliness of the beach, plus air and water temperatures. As in years past, Hawaii, New York and Florida dominated the list. Hawaii snagged the next two spots on the 2025 list, with Wailea Beach on the island of Maui coming in second, and Kauai's Poipu Beach ranking third. Kaunaoa on the island of Hawaii and Lanikai Beach on Oahu made the list farther down. Florida landed two spots on the list with the Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park in Naples at No. 4 and St. Andrews State Park in Panama City at No. 7. Leatherman points to the 'white sand beaches and crystal-clear Gulf waters' at Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park. He's also fond of the wildlife you can find there, including ospreys and manatees. Another perennial favorite that made the list again this year is Coast Guard Beach on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. In his write-up, Leatherman says, '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.' Don't see your favorite beach on the list? Erosion, pollution or damage from hurricanes could be the reason why. For example, Coronado Beach in San Diego ranked No. 10 last year but didn't make the list in 2025. Leatherman cited pollution in the nearby Tijuana River as the main factor. 'It's hosted kings and queens … but now Coronado is too polluted to go in the water,' he told CNN. California in fact didn't land a single beach on the list this year. Other beaches didn't make the cut because the water, while clean, isn't clear, a quality that's prized by beach aficionados. Such is the case for some of Georgia's beaches. In fact, Leatherman seeks out beaches where the water is 'aqua blue.' Meanwhile, cold water temps are to blame for some of Maine's most beautiful beaches failing to break the top 10. 'Water temperature is very important,' Leatherman said. 1. Coopers Beach, Southampton, New York2. Wailea Beach, Maui, Hawaii3. Poipu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii4. Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, Naples, Florida5. Main Beach, East Hampton, New York6. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina7. St. Andrews State Park, Panama City, Florida8. Kaunaoa, Big Island, Hawaii9. Lanikai Beach, Oahu, Hawaii10. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
CNN
22-05-2025
- CNN
The top 10 US beaches for 2025, according to ‘Dr. Beach'
If you've visited Cooper's Beach in Southampton on the eastern end of Long Island and concluded it's the best beach around, you're right. Because according to Dr. Beach, it's the No. 1 beach in the US. The beach's large sand dunes and pristine location put it over the top this year, according to Stephen Leatherman, a coastal scientist at Florida International University in Miami who's gained the nickname Dr. Beach for his annual rankings. The beach, located in the swanky Hamptons, ranked No. 2 last year, behind Hawaii's Duke Kahanamoku Beach on Oahu. 'It's a big, beautiful beach,' Leatherman told CNN in an interview. In fact, the only problem with Cooper's Beach is the traffic that sun worshippers will likely encounter in the crowded Long Island enclave — and the high cost of parking at the beach. But Dr. Beach recommends taking a free shuttle from downtown Southampton. Leatherman, who has been evaluating beaches since 1991, has developed a 50-factor checklist for determining the most beautiful expanses of sand in the United States. Criteria include the presence of algae, the prevalence of rip tides and the cleanliness of the beach, plus air and water temperatures. As in years past, Hawaii, New York and Florida dominated the list. Hawaii snagged the next two spots on the 2025 list, with Wailea Beach on the island of Maui coming in second, and Kauai's Poipu Beach ranking third. Kaunaoa on the island of Hawaii and Lanikai Beach on Oahu made the list farther down. Florida landed two spots on the list with the Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park in Naples at No. 4 and St. Andrews State Park in Panama City at No. 7. Leatherman points to the 'white sand beaches and crystal-clear Gulf waters' at Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park. He's also fond of the wildlife you can find there, including ospreys and manatees. Another perennial favorite that made the list again this year is Coast Guard Beach on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. In his write-up, Leatherman says, '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.' Don't see your favorite beach on the list? Erosion, pollution or damage from hurricanes could be the reason why. For example, Coronado Beach in San Diego ranked No. 10 last year but didn't make the list in 2025. Leatherman cited pollution in the nearby Tijuana River as the main factor. 'It's hosted kings and queens … but now Coronado is too polluted to go in the water,' he told CNN. California in fact didn't land a single beach on the list this year. Other beaches didn't make the cut because the water, while clean, isn't clear, a quality that's prized by beach aficionados. Such is the case for some of Georgia's beaches. In fact, Leatherman seeks out beaches where the water is 'aqua blue.' Meanwhile, cold water temps are to blame for some of Maine's most beautiful beaches failing to break the top 10. 'Water temperature is very important,' Leatherman said. 1. Coopers Beach, Southampton, New York2. Wailea Beach, Maui, Hawaii3. Poipu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii4. Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, Naples, Florida5. Main Beach, East Hampton, New York6. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina7. St. Andrews State Park, Panama City, Florida8. Kaunaoa, Big Island, Hawaii9. Lanikai Beach, Oahu, Hawaii10. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
