2003
‘America’s Best Beaches’
List Released
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Kaanapali
Beach in Hawaii
photo courtesy
of DrBeach.org
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Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman,
the nation’s foremost coastal expert and director of Florida
International University’s Laboratory for Coastal Research,
kicked off Memorial Day weekend and the beginning of beach season
by announcing his 13th-annual “America’s Best Beaches”
List.
Along
with the rankings, Leatherman, a.k.a. Dr. Beach, is releasing
his new book “Dr. Beach’s Survival Guide,” a complete
beach safety guide that reveals what you need to know about sharks,
rip currents and more before going in the water.
“I
hope Americans will visit these special beaches and stay safe
by reading my beach safety guide. The guide is so compact vacationers
can pack it in their beach bag along with their sunscreen,”
said Leatherman.
This
year’s national winner is Kaanapali Beach in Hawaii.
Over 3 miles long, it is located on the dry, sunny side of Maui.
White coral sand bathed by clear, emerald green water is just
one of the factors that contributed to Kaanapali Beach’s
#1 ranking. In addition, the number one beach maintains a critical
balance between nature and the built environment.
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2003
“America’s Best Beaches” List
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1.
Kaanapali, Hawaii-the National Winner
2. Fort DeSoto Park, Florida
3. Ocracoke Island, North Carolina
4. Hanalei Bay, Hawaii
5. Caladesi Island State Park, Florida
6. Main Beach, East Hampton, New York
7. Makalawena Beach, Hawaii
8. Hanauma Bay, Hawaii
9. Cape Florida State Recreational Area, Florida
10. Cape Hatteras, North Carolina |
Kaanapali
is one of four Hawaiian beaches to make the 10-entry list this
year and the seventh Hawaiian beach to top the list in the past
eight years. Other Hawaiian Beaches that made the list are Hanalei
Bay (No. 4), Makalawena Beach (No. 7) and Hanauma
Bay (No. 8). Beaches in Florida, North Carolina and New York
also made this year’s list.
The
beaches are evaluated based on Leatherman’s 50 criteria,
which he developed strictly for the purpose of rating America’s
Best Beaches 13 years ago. Among the factors that make up the
criteria are sand quality, water quality, water temperature, and
litter. In order to see a complete list of Dr. Leatherman’s
criteria, log on to http://www.drbeach.org/drbeach/
Dr.
Beach personally visits these beaches and confers with a vast
network of naturalists, park rangers, and scientists around the
nation when coming to his decision.
Leatherman holds a Ph.D. in Environmental (Coastal) Sciences from
the University of Virginia and a B.S. degree in Geosciences from
North Carolina State University.
In
addition to “America’s Best Beaches,” he has authored
or edited 15 books.
(Source:
drbeach.org)
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