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America's Best Beaches, 2008

The following table lists the top ten best beaches to visit in the United States for 2008, according to Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, author of America's Best Beaches. In addition, find a list of the previous top-rated beaches in America below.

  Name Location
1. Caladesi Island State Park Dunedin, Fla.
2. Hanalei Beach Kauai, Hawaii
3. Siesta Beach Sarasota, Florida
4. Coopers Beach Southampton, New York
5. Coronado Beach San Diego, California
6. Main Beach East Hampton, New York
7. Hamoa Beach Maui, Hawaii
8. Cape Hatteras Outer Banks, North Carolina
9. Cape Florida State Park Key Biscayne, Florida
10. Beachwalker Park Kiawah Island, South Carolina

Previous #1 Winners of the Best American Beach Award

(excluded from 2008 list)


Year Name Location
2007 Ocracoke Lifeguard Beach Outer Banks, North Carolina
2006 Fleming Beach Park Maui, Hawaii
2005 Fort DeSoto Park North Beach, fla.
2004 Hanauma Bay Oahu, Hawaii
2003 Kaanapali Hawaii
2002 St. Joseph Peninsula State Park Florida
2001 Poipu Beach Park Hawaii
2000 Mauna Kea Beach Hawaii
1999 Wailea Beach Hawaii
1998 Kailua Beach Park Hawaii
1997 Hulopoe Hawaii
1996 Lanikai Beach Hawaii
1995 St. Andrews SRA Florida
1994 Grayton Beach SRA Florida
1993 Hapuna Hawaii
1992 Bahia Honda SRA Florida
1991 Kapalua Bay Beach Hawaii

Released since 1991, 650 major public recreational beaches in the U.S. are rated according to 50 criteria. Source: Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman (aka Dr. Beach), author of America's Best Beaches and professor of environmental studies at Florida International University.

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