Friday, May 27, 2011

Dr. Beach's Top 10 of 2011!

Today Dr. Beach announced the top 10 beaches of 2011. Peruse the list and try to schedule a trip!


1. Siesta Beach, Sarastoa, Florida.


siesta beach

According to Dr. Beach (Stephen Leatherman from FIU) “Siesta Beach in Sarasota boasts that it has the finest and whitest sand in the world, and I cannot argue with this claim; the powdery sand is nearly pure quartz crystal,” Leatherman said. The water is blue, clean and clear, making it particularly inviting to bathers and swimmers. Another thing that is loved about the beach is how wide it is! It's perfect for laying out or playing a game of beach volleyball or football.  Even if there is a football game nearby there is still plenty of room for sun worshippers. This beach's waves are actually mesured in inches not feet making it a calm and tranquil spot. This is also not Siesta Beach's first time on the list.


2. Coronado Beach, San Diego, CaliforniaSilhouettes of people on beach at sunset, Coronado, Calif. (© Ted Horowitz/Corbis)

Standing at number 2 on the list Coronado Beach is a beautiful oasis that is a delectable charm in Southern California. The beach is surrounded by lush vegetation and boasts a unque Mediterranean climate....and fine, sparking, beautiful sand. Beach bums come here for the mild surf and the amazing ship watching. If you pick this beach to be your place of sun workship find a sport near the Hotel del Coronado a local landmark that is beautiful  and you can be served food and drinks along the beach.


3. Kahanamoku Beach, Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii


3. This beach was named in honor of Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, a gold-medal Olympic swimmer (so you know I am a fan!) who is credited with introducing surfing to the word.  Kahanamoku Beach is bordered by the Ala Wai small-boat harbor and the Hilton Hawaiian Village catamaran pier. It's a beautiful sand with clear water that is protected by a reef which protects it from bigger waves...the only thing im confused by is why would they name a beach after a surfer that doesn't get big waves? Maybe because the lack of big waves makes it the perfect place for people of all ages to swim!.

4. Main Beach, East Hampton, NY

main beach

  Know for the wealthy summertime residents who flock here to beaches protected by a conservation easement that dates back more than 300 years. Main Beach is a great place for celebrity spotting; many actors and actresses visit for the idyllic setting in a small village. The big, wide, sandy beach made of quartz has towering dunes and beautiful clean, clear blue water. Pedal a bicycle to avoid parking and take in the beautiful vista. This beach is perfect for walking, sunning, swimming and fishing.


5. Cape Hatteras, NC
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse & beach, Outer Banks, N.C. (© Tom Till/SuperStock)
Cape Hatteras which is located along the Outter Banks of North Carolina is the country’s first national seashore. Cape Hattera's is a barrier island that bulges far offshore. It provides some of the best board surfing along the East Coast and features the most famous lighthouse in the U.S. Cape Hatteras attracts beachgoers to its historic villages as well as nature lovers who enjoy beachcombing and fishing. Who wouldn't want to lay in the sand and take in a view like that? Walks along the beach seem to be a personal favorite.



6. St. George Island State Park, Florida.

Sunrise, St. George Island State Park, Fla. (© Exactostock/SuperStock)

The Panhandle is back! The oil spill has vanished and the sand is beautiful and clean! Luckily, the beautiful white beaches and the clear water of St. George Island State Park were not even effected last summer by the oil spill.  This beach which is under developed (woohoo!) is on a 1,962 acre-barrier island that extends into the Gulf of Mexico. This beach is perfect for swimming, shelling, fishing,. canoeing, boating, hiking and camping. When beaching here make sure you do the "sting ray shuffle in order to make sure you aren't stung by a sting ray. In addition to Sting Ray's making the island their home there are plenty of birds and fish  which make birding and fishing popular. St. George Island Park has 6 different picnic shelters with grills, tables and bathrooms as well as 60 campsites with electricity and water hook-ups making this the perfect spot for an RV vacation!

7. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, SC

Aerial of Beachwalker Park & Kiawah Island beach, Kiawah Island, S.C. (© Kiawah Island Golf Resort)

Finally! A beach I've been too! Beachwalker Park located on beautiful Kiawah Island and only about 25 miles south from my beloved Charleston is number 7 on Dr. Beach's list. Beachwalker is a public beach (rare on Kiawah Island!) that is beautiful, relaxing and a bit of heaven! Tennis and golf reign supreme in this souther island as well as nature tours that focus on the island's unique flora and fauna. This area is known to nature's lover and taking a kayak or canoe tour to paddle thourgh the beautiful carolina salt marshes and tidal inlets. If you're a bird lover you can walk down to St. Sam's Inlet to bird watch. Make no mistakes the water is not clear, but it is clean and is home to fantastic seafood.  If you make a trip to Beachwalker Park, make sure you go into historic Charleston and check out a few of the locales favorite beaches on Sullivan's and James Island!


8. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Mass.
Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Mass. (© Garry Black/All Canada Photos/Corbis)
Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Mass.: This beach, accessible by bicycle or via shuttle bus from the Salt Pond Visitor’s Center, was formed when a sand spit became attached to the eroding glacial cliffs. The sand is fairly coarse, so the beach slopes steeply into the water. The picturesque old Coast Guard station still sits atop the glacial bluffs, allowing for a spectacular view of the Nauset Spit barrier system and bay. In summer, beachgoers tend to take quick, refreshing dips in the ocean, as water temperatures reach only 60 to 70 degrees.  (taken from MSN.Com).

9. Waimanalo Bay Beach Park, Oahu, HawaiiAerial of Waimanalo Bay Beach Park, Oahu, Hawaii (© Douglas Peebles/DanitaDelimont.com)






















Big suprise that yes another beautiful white sandy beach from Hawaii is on the list.  Waimanalo Bay Beach stretched 5.5 miles long making it the longest stretch of shoreline on Oahu. This beach is mostly used for fishing and occasionally for surfing. The park provides ample parking, plenty of restrooms, outdoor showers and a beautiful beach for swimming. While not the most beautiful of the Hawaiian beafhes it is a great choices because huge waves and terrifying rip currents are rare and lifeguards are usually on duty. This is a Hawaiian beach that is frequented by the locals

10. Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne, Fl.

Cape Florida Lighthouse & beach, Key Biscayne, Fla. (© Murat Ayranci/SuperStock)
Another beach I have been to and another beach I love! This beach at the southern tip of Key Biscayne and is home to clear, emerald-colored waters and a gentle-soothing surf. The fine white-coral sand beach is great for swimming, as waves are knocked down by a large sand shoal offshore. In addition, the Cape Florida Lighthouse allows for a breathtaking view of this beautiful beach.

1 comment:

  1. Those are all beautiful, and now I am day dreaming of Florida.

    ReplyDelete

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