A crescent-shaped beach in Hawaii that’s immersed in greenery and facing an island just offshore is the best beach in the US.
So says coastal scientist Stephen P. Leatherman, better known as “Dr. Beach.” Poipu Beach on the island of Kauai tops the list for 2026, which he compiles based on 50 individual criteria.
The No. 2 beach, according to Leatherman’s annual ranking, is St. Andrews State Park in Panama City, Florida.
Hawaii and Florida dominate the top 10, which includes Caladesi Island State Park in the Dunedin/Clearwater area of Florida, and Wailea Beach
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