Miami, FL – Siesta Beach is number one in the 27th annual Top 10 Beach List, produced by coastal expert Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, professor at Florida International University. Here’s how the top 10 played out:
TOP 10 BEACHES 2017
1. Siesta Beach Sarasota, Florida
2. Kapalua Bay Beach Maui, Hawaii
3. Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach, Outer Banks of North Carolina
4. Grayton Beach State Park Florida panhandle
5. Coopers Beach Southampton, New York
6. Coast Guard Beach Cape Cod, Massachusetts
7. Caladesi Island State Park Dunedin/Clearwater, Florida
8. Hapuna Beach State Park Big Island, Hawaii
9. Coronado Beach, California (Note: Coronado Named #1 Beach in 2012)
10. Beachwalker Park Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Siesta Beach boasts that it has the finest, whitest sand in the world, which attracts sand collectors and beach lovers from all over. The clear, clean waters along this gently-sloping beachface make for ideal swimming. The beach is hundreds of yards wide, attracting fitness fans and volleyball players. Siesta is a year-round beach that is very popular with snowbirds during the winter months. There are lifeguards along this crescent-shaped beach along with full amenities. Recent upgrades include expanded parking, while maintaining the beautiful natural environment, and a free trolley to transport beachgoers. As “Dr. Beach” (www.DrBeach.org), Leatherman has selected the annual Top 10 Beaches since 1991.
Fifty criteria are used to evaluate beaches, which include water and sand quality as well as safety and management. Dr. Leatherman is an internationally known coastal scientist who has published 20 books and hundreds of scientific articles and reports about storm impacts, coastal erosion and ways to improve beach health and safety. More emphasis is being placed on environmental management and beach safety. Bonus points are awarded for prohibition of smoking on beaches.
Press Release Source: Dr. Beach
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Editor’s Note: Hard to believe Coronado made the TOP 10 list considering all the beach closures due to raw sewage from Mexico making it up the coast to local beaches. One of the 50 measurements Dr. Beach uses includes: Floating/suspended human material (sewage, scum).
Related Article from Union Tribune (May 26, 2017): Border Patrol agents said Tijuana sewage problem worse now than in previous decades
