Dr. Beach Releases Annual Top 10 List of US Beaches

The Florida International University coastal science professor named Hanauma Bay on the Hawaiian island of Oahu as his top pick on Thursday. Leatherman uses 50 criteria to create his list.

Beaches are evaluated on everything from water and sand quality, safety and management to water temperature, the number of sunny days, slope, amenities and water color.

10. Beachwalker Park Kiawah Island, South Carolina

A photo posted by Hannah Bubp (@hannahbubpphotography) on May 22, 2016 at 12:16pm PDT

9. Caladesi Island State Park Dunedin/Clearwater, Florida

A photo posted by Amerika Only (@amerikaonly) on Mar 24, 2016 at 10:15am PDT

8. Coopers Beach, Southampton, New York

A photo posted by Thya Lydia (@frankthya) on May 19, 2016 at 12:55am PDT

7. Cooopers Beach, Southampton, New York

A photo posted by Hyunkyung (@kyung._.s2) on May 26, 2016 at 2:31am PDT

6. Grayton Beach State Park, Florida Panhandle

A photo posted by @martintolisten on May 23, 2016 at 12:25pm PDT

5. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts

A photo posted by Janette (@janettejskibum7) on May 23, 2016 at 5:25pm PDT

4. Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach, Outer Banks of North Carolina

A photo posted by Megan Lawing (@meganlawing) on Nov 3, 2015 at 5:30pm PST

3. Kapalua Bay Beach, Maui, Hawaii

A photo posted by mayra // bananas (@lifeisbananas15) on Oct 8, 2015 at 10:19am PDT

2. Siesta Beach Sarasota, Florida

A photo posted by kelli marie (@kelmarie) on May 7, 2016 at 6:40pm PDT

1. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, Oahu, Hawaii

A photo posted by kiyomi medeiros (@kiyomimedeiros) on Jul 13, 2015 at 2:51am PDT