There really is a person with the title “Dr. Beach,” and he is, as one might guess, an authority on beaches.

Florida International University professor Stephen Leatherman is known as “Dr. Beach” because of his authoritative reputation in the field of earth and environmental science. For the past 33 years, Leatherman has ranked the best beaches in the United States. Using a strict set of criteria, Dr. Beach annually ranks the best ten public beaches in the United States, as reported by the Associated Press.

Dr. Beach, as stated on his own website, “works tirelessly to increase awareness about the dangers of rip currents and to promote no smoking at beaches.” When compiling his annual list, he considers more than fifty different aspects, including: sand type; wave activity; presence of lifeguards; presence of wildlife; degree of development; congestion; and whether or not a beach prohibits smoking in order to prevent discarded butts.

St. George Island State Park in Florida won this year. Dr. Beach loves to go shelling and beachcombing here, and he always raves about how beautiful the beach is. Duke Kahanamoku Beach on Oahu, Hawaii, was ranked second because of its beautiful long expanse of sand and the nearby coral reef. Coopers Beach, located in Southampton, New York, took third place and bronze. Visitors can take use of the spacious area, which provides easy access to the beach and also has a convenient snack bar.

Check out the full ranking of the top 10 US beaches below:

1. St. George Island State Park, Florida Panhandle
2. Duke Kahanamoku Beach, Oahu, Hawaii
3. Coopers Beach, Southampton, New York
4. Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin/Clearwater, Florida
5. Lighthouse Beach, Buxton, Outer Banks of North Carolina
6. Coronado Beach, San Diego
7. Wailea Beach, Maui, Hawaii
8. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina
9. Poipu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii
10. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts

SOURCE :- https://www.thrillist.com/news/nation/best-us-beaches-dr-beach-ranking