The 10 best beaches in the US are revealed - and one of the top three is in New York

Professor Stephen P. Leatherman, whose nickname is Dr. Beach, revealed his list of the 10 best US beaches earlier this month in states like Hawaii, Florida and New York.

Dr. Leatherman, a Professor and Director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Florida International University, considered factors like the beach's sand softness, its amount of sunny days a year and overall cleanliness into account when creating his annual list.

He used a five-point scale based on 50 criteria store when ranking all of the beaches on his list.

The best US beach in 2024 was second on Dr. Leatherman's list last year, before rising to the top.

According to the professor, Duke Kahanamoku Beach in Oahu, Hawaii, is the best US beach.

The top 10 US beaches this year can be found across several states, but two of the top three beaches are located in Hawaii 

Professor Stephen P. Leatherman, whose nickname is Dr. Beach, revealed his list of the 10 best US beaches earlier this month on his website

1. Duke Kahanamoku Beach

The Duke Kahanamoku Beach on the west end of Waikiki Beach is located near the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon - a popular swimming place for locals

Duke Kahanamoku Beach, which was named after surf legend Duke Kahanamoku, is a top Hawaii spot for anyone hoping to avoid large crowds. 

Located on the west end of Waikiki Beach, it is currently one of the widest beaches and it is protected by an offshore coral reef, which makes it a safe and relaxing place for families with children.

'This is one of the most picturesque beaches in the USA with the iconic Diamondhead volcano in the distance,' read Dr. Leatherman's explanation.

An added bonus is its proximity to the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon, 'a favorite bathing and swimming spot' in Hawaii.

'The views from the Lagoon are great while relaxing and floating,' a vacationer wrote in a review on Tripadvisor.

The reviewer added that the lagoon wasn't crowded and it was 'easy to walk into.'

Duke Kahanamoku Beach does have surrounding parking lots and more than one of them allows everyone who will only be there or at the lagoon for six hours to park for free.

2. Coopers Beach

Coopers Beach in Southampton, New York is a wide beach that is close to restaurants and designated areas for dog walking

Located on the South Fork of Long Island, New York, Coopers Beach is 'shielded from the cold Labrador currents in the beautiful village of Southampton,' Dr. Leatherman says.

It is not the largest beach, but it is full of 'grainy white quartz sand' and large sand dunes.

It's also close to restaurants and designated areas for dog walking, and anyone staying in the Hamptons has easy access to the beach.

A beachgoer praised Coopers Beach for its amenities, including lifeguards, bathrooms and 'a snack bar on steroids' in a Yelp review. 

'All of these amenities make it a perfect beach for kids,' the reviewer wrote.

'It is also the perfect beach to take the handicapped or elderly as there is a carpet so wheelchairs or walkers can get closer to the water.'

Anyone who hopes to go there should likely bring their own beach ware, unless they're OK with renting chairs starting at $15 and umbrellas for $20 per day.

Southampton Village also advises beachgoers that a daily parking permit at Coopers Beach costs $50 per car per day. 

3. Wailea Beach

Wailea Beach in Hawaii is connected to Marirott's Wailea Beach Resort and it is a public beach. Guests can park in surrounding lots for free

Maui's public Wailea Beach is connected to Marriott's Wailea Beach Resort, which The Hawaii Vacation Guide calls 'a great backdrop for a memorable vacation.'

'The white coral sand beach gently slopes offshore and is great for snorkeling when the ocean is calm,' said Dr. Leatherman.

'The swanky hotels are set back far from the beach, providing a beautiful-landscaped park, adorned with tropical vegetation and flowering bushes and trees.'

Like Duke Kahanamoku Beach, this Maui location has parking lots close to the area that provide free parking.

Everyone staying at Marriott's Wailea Beach Resort must pay a daily parking fee of nearly $40 per night.

4. Caladesi Island State Park

Caladesi Island State Park in Dunedin, Florida is 'no longer a true island' according to Dr. Leatherman in his list. However, it does include clear waters and soft sand 

According to Dr. Leatherman, Caladesi Island State Park is 'no longer a true island' but it is 'a great getaway' for anyone in Dunedin, Florida.

Guests can get to the location by ferry boats, private boats or by walking there from Clearwater Beach.

'The white beach is composed of crystalline quartz sand, which is soft and cushy at the water’s edge, inviting one to take a dip in the sparkling clear waters,' the Florida professor said.

He added that his favorite trails are those for kayaks and canoes through the mangroves since travelers can look at birds that call the state park home.

The park has multiple transportation options and fees depending on how travelers choose to get to the area.

The Florida State Park's website reads that admission to go there by boat is $6 for up to eight travelers and $2 for each additional passenger.

Kayakers can enjoy the park for only $2, while pedestrians and bicyclists pay the same price to use the Caladesi Connection ferry at Honeymoon Island State Park.

Everyone who chooses to stay at Caladesi Island State park for four hours after traveling by ferry should be prepared to pay between $9 to $18 per person, unless it's a child that's 5 and younger. 

5. Kiawah Beachwalker Park

The Kiawah Beachwalker Park in Charleston, South Carolina, includes boardwalk and nature trails that will bring visitors to areas with different bird species

Anyone who is in the south of Charleston, South Carolina, can access the Beachwalker Park 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,' said Dr. Leatherman.

Other things that guests can do are go for long walks and visit Captain Sam's Inlet to see several species of birds.

Dr. Leatherman did warn readers that the water is not clear, but assured that it is clean.

'There were large changing areas, bathroom facilities, and snacks available, and it was then a short walk to the beach,' a visitor wrote in a review on Tripadvisor.

The reviewer added that the noise from the condo complex construction was a con, but that it was still worth the trip.

According to Charleston County Parks and Recreation, there are currently 150 park spots that usually fill up by 10:30 during the summer.

The entry cost varies between $5 and $20, depending on the season. 

6. Main Beach

The Main Beach in East Hampton, New York, is frequented by wealthy beachgoers who either rent or own properties in the area

New Yorkers who aren't in Southampton can travel to East Hampton and enjoy Main Beach, which Dr. Leatherman says 'provides the perfect blend of nature and built environment.'

Since it is in the hamptons, Main Beach is full of wealthy residents who either own or rent properties in that area.

The water, unlike Kiawah Beachwalker park, is clean and clear blue.

Main Beach is currently getting ready for tourist season by hosting the Main Beach Music Series every Tuesday.

The East Hampton Village Foundation created the annual series that has only been around for a few years.

According to the foundation, 2,000 to 5,000 guests attend the event every week and beach officials work hard to keep everyone safe.

Parking is a first come, first serve basis, but if beach goers aren't looking to purchase a daily non-resident parking permit for $50 a day, they can ride their bikes for free. 

7. Poipu Beach

Poipu Beach in Kauai is known for technically being two beaches. A sand split extending from the shore to the island created two different beaches in one

Poipu Beach is the third and final Hawaiian beach on Dr. Leatherman's top 10 list.

It is located on Kauai - an island known for things like its beaches, beautiful weather and golf courses.

One of the unique things about this location is that it actually has two beaches thanks to a tombolo, which is a sand split that extends from the shore to an island.

This split separates the two pocket beaches that have shallow sandbars and varying wave sizes.

'To the right of the lifeguard tower is a great place to swim and play in the surf. To the left is shallower, a great place to snorkel,' a visitor wrote on Tripadvisor earlier this month. 

'We saw so many different fish and we made friends with the Monk Seals and Sea Turtles that showed up.'

Poipu Beach visitors may be happy to know that they can park their cars in two large parking lots for free.

8. Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park

The Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park in Naples is a home to a variety of animals, including bald eagles, ospreys and manatees

Floridians and other beachgoers will likely be impressed with the Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park in Naples.

Everyone there can walk the white sandy beaches and look and swim in the ocean's clear blue waters.

Dr. Leatherman noted that bald eagles, ospreys and manatees can be spotted at the park and gives guests the chance to get some shade under its pine trees.

Other activities that guests can do include snorkeling, paddleboarding, shelling, and fishing.

Two significant cons are the beach areas could still be closed due to the damage from Hurricane Ian in 2022, and the first-come, first-served beach wheelchair rentals may run out quickly.

However, the fees are similar if not smaller than those at Caladesi Island State Park, and boaters can park at the boat ramp and enter the park for only $5 plus tax.

9. Coast Guard Beach

The Coast Guard Beach in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, is a popular swimming location during the summer months  despite the water only reaching 60 to 70 degrees

The Coast Guard Beach located in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, is accessible by bicycle or shuttle bus from the Salt Pond Visitor Center.

'The picturesque old Coast Guard station still sits atop the glacial bluffs, allowing for a spectacular view down upon the Nauset Spit barrier system and bay,' said Dr. Leatherman.

'During the summer, beach-goers take quick, refreshing dips in the ocean as water temperatures only reach 60-70 degrees.'

According to the National Park Center, the coastline stretches north for over 20 miles and it's a prime swimming beach during the summer.

Guests who are opting to drive to the beach can do so and park at a lot in Little Creek from now until mid-September.

The standard entrance fee is between $15 and $25, but visitors also have the option to purchase an annual entrance pass for $60.  

10. Coronado Beach

Coronado Beach in San Diego California is located near the Hotel del Coronado, which was a filming location for the 1958 film Some Like It Hot

The final beach on Dr. Leatherman's list is located in San Diego, California, around the local landmark Hotel del Coronado.

Coronado Beach runs along Ocean Boulevard, and the Hotel del Coronado was featured in Marilyn Monroe's 1958 film, Some Like It Hot.

Visitors can enjoy surfing and paddle boarding on the beach unless they prefer to visit shops or sunbathe instead.

'One of my favorite beaches in the world. It's big, beautiful, westward facing (for sunsets), clean, well life-guarded, not too crowded, and accessible to Hotel Del Coronado amenities and the restaurants of Orange Avenue,' a visitor wrote on Tripadvisor.

The drinks and houses in that area are expensive, but Coronado Beach guests can park on Ocean Boulevard for free.