Thursday, May 25, 2006

Ocracoke among the best beaches in the U.S.

"Dr. Beach" has released his list of the America's best beaches, and N.C.'s Ocracoke Island made the cut at No. 3.

The aptly-named Stephen Leatherman is called "Dr. Beach" because he is an international beach expert. (Not sure how you get that gig, but I want it.) Actually, Leatherman is the director of Florida International University's Laboratory for Coastal Research.

Maui's Fleming Beach Park earned the "best beach" accolade in the U.S. No. 2 was Caladesi Island State Park in Dunedin, Florida, with Ocracoke earning third place. The rest of the top 10 was Coopers Beach in New York; Kauai's Hanalei Beach; Main Beach in New York; Coast Guard Beach in Massachusetts; Coronado Beach in California; Maui's Hamoa Beach; and Barefoot Beach Park in Bonita Springs, Fla.

A Hawaii beach, according to the Associated Press, has claimed the top spot on Leatherman's list for the 11th time in the study's 16-year history, including nine in the past 11 years.

"Let's face it, Hawaii is our tropical paradise for America," he said. "It's where the mountains meet the sea. It's idyllic. The scenery there is fantastic."

Top 10 Best Beaches
1. Fleming Beach Park, Maui, Hawaii
2. Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin, Fla.
3. Ocracoke Island, Outer Banks
4. Coopers Beach, Southampton, N.Y.
5. Hanalei Beach, Kauai, Hawaii
6. Main Beach, East Hampton, N.Y.
7. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Mass.
8. Coronado Beach, San Diego, Calif.
9. Hamoa Beach, Maui, Hawaii
10. Barefoot Beach Park, Bonita Springs, Fla.

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