"Dr. Beach" just named his "best beach in the US". Last years winner is less than two miles (as the crow flies) from where I type right now....
Here are the winners going back to 1991 of Florida International University professor Stephen P. Leatherman's annual Best Beach award. Winners are retired from later lists.
2009 — Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Hawaii
2008 — Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin, Fla.
2007 — Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach, Outer Banks, N.C.
2006 — Fleming Beach Park, Maui, Hawaii
2005 — Fort DeSoto Park — North Beach, St. Petersburg, Fla.
2004 — Hanauma Bay, Oahu, Hawaii
2003 — Kaanapali, Maui, Hawaii
2002 — St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, Port St. Joe, Fla.
2001 — Poipu Beach Park, Kauai, Hawaii
2000 — Mauna Kea Beach, Hawaii
1999 — Wailea Beach, Maui, Hawaii
1998 — Kailua Beach Park, Oahu Hawaii
1997 — Hulopoe, Lanai, Hawaii
1996 — Lanikai Beach, Oahu, Hawaii
1995 — St. Andrews State Park, Panama City, Fla.
1994 — Grayton Beach State Park, Santa Rosa Beach, Fla.
1993 — Hapuna, Hawaii
1992 — Bahia Honda, Big Pine Key, Fla.
1991 — Kapalua Bay Beach, Maui, Hawaii |
