Spring has arrived at last to help us shake off the winter chill — and to turn our thoughts to warm, sandy beaches. Spring also brings out the pundits and an outpouring of "best beach" lists. If you happen to be seeking suggestions about special places to dig your toes into the sand this summer, I'm here to help.
I've analyzed some of the most popular beach rankings — compiled by travel experts, water quality researchers and ordinary vacationers — to come up with a consensus list of the "10 best U.S. beaches."
Best known among individual beach experts is Dr. Beach, aka Stephen P. Leatherman, director of coastal research at Florida International University. For 25 years, he's issued an annual "America's Top 10 Beaches" survey, with the top criterion being suitability for swimming.
Trip Advisor posts a lavish "Top 25 Beaches — United States" slideshow each year, with selections based on the reviews and ratings of thousands of users. Travel Channel, Forbes, CNN, Coastal Living magazine and other media outlets chime in now and then as well with top-10 beach lists.
These are beaches that boast the smoothest sand, most pleasant waters and the highest-quality visitor attractions. Here then are 10 that most often make the best-beach lists.
1. Waimanalo Bay Beach Park, Oahu, Hawaii
We'll go along with Dr. Beach's top choice for 2015 — Waimanalo Bay Beach Park. Waimanalo is located 15 miles east of Honolulu and features miles of white sand and turquoise waters perfect for swimming, body boarding and sailing. It's not nearly as famous (or as crowded) as Waikiki, making it a favorite among the locals.
2. Clearwater Beach, Florida
TripAdvisor's overall winner for 2016 is a great option as well. Calm, clear water washing up on a long expanse of sugar-fine white sand is the trademark of Clearwater Beach on Florida's Gulf Coast. Fabulous sunsets and plenty of shoreside activities add to its appeal.
3. Siesta Key, Florida
It's probably no surprise that Florida and Hawaii dominate the best-beach lists. Appearing on nearly every list is tiny Siesta Key, just south of Sarasota. Beach lovers flock to Siesta's silky shores to take advantage of the broad expanse of sand and tranquil Gulf waters. Shell collecting is popular here and catamarans and kayaks are available for rent from beachside concessionaires.
4. Hulopo'e Beach, Lana'i, Hawaii
Long considered one of Hawaii's — and the world's — most perfect stretches of sand, Hulopo'e Beach rims Manele Bay at the doorstep of an elegant Four Seasons resort. The bay is a designated marine reserve, and the snorkeling and diving spots here are the best in the islands. The Travel Channel rates Hulopo'e on Manele Bay the No. 1 beach in the nation in its latest survey.
5. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Moving up the East Coast, we find ourselves reveling in the festivities and nonstop action that makes Myrtle Beach the region's ultimate vacation destination — and a regular on most best-beach lists. It teems with summertime activity, fed by a plethora of amusement and water parks, restaurants and other entertainment venues. The beach itself is a good one too, with smooth white sand and pleasant waters.
6. Cape May, New Jersey
Nestled at the southern tip of the Jersey shore, Cape May reigns as America's oldest seaside resort. Lining its gorgeous top-10 rated beach is a quaint town center and National Historic District featuring more than 600 well-preserved Victorian buildings. Visitors can choose from dozens of elegant B&Bs and fine restaurants — and some climb the 199 steps to the top of the 1859 Cape May Lighthouse for a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay.
7. Twelvemile Beach, Michigan
The Great Lakes feature some surprisingly nice beaches, and the best of them is Twelvemile Beach. This isolated white-sand strand on Lake Superior graces Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and it is a beachcomber's delight. Twelvemile is flanked by two other natural wonders — the towering Grand Sable Dunes and the chromatically layered sandstone cliffs that give the Lakeshore its name. Camping is available on a sandy bluff just above the beach (which actually is 12 miles long).
8. East Beach in Santa Barbara, California
Several California strands rank among the country's best beaches. Both Coastal Living magazine and Dr. Beach give a nod to East Beach. Situated right in the center of Santa Barbara, East Beach is a lovely long, wide strip of white sand backed by a tree-lined park — and it affords gorgeous views of the Channel Islands. Volleyball courts and bike/rollerblading paths make it a favorite with the younger set.
9. Coronado Beach in San Diego, California
Visitors can take a ferry or drive across a dramatic 2-mile-long bridge from San Diego to Coronado Island, home to the area's nicest beach. The southern end of this 1.5-mile strand is home to the famous Hotel del Coronado, an architectural masterpiece and one of the world's largest wooden structures. The northern end of the beach attracts surfers in the morning, and at the extreme north is Dog Beach, where leash-free canines can frolic in the surf.
10. Kalaloch Beach, Washington
Washington's Olympic National Park is home to the most jaw-dropping coastline in the Northwest. Highest rated among this rugged peninsula's 70 miles of untamed beaches is Kalaloch Beach, a driftwood-strewn strand populated by otters, puffins, murres and a large concentration of bald eagles. You can stroll the gray sand here and look out over the wild Pacific — knowing there's nothing between you and far-away Russia.
