America's Best Beaches, 2016
Updated February 21, 2017 | Factmonster Staff 
 Hanauma Bay |
The following table lists the top ten best beaches to visit in the United States for 2016, according to Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, author of America's Best Beaches. In addition, find a list of the previous top-rated beaches in America below.
| Name | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve | Oahu, Hawaii |
| 2. | Siesta Beach | Sarasota, Florida |
| 3. | Kapalua Bay Beach | Maui, Hawaii |
| 4. | Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach | Outer Banks, North Carolina |
| 5. | Coast Guard Beach | Cape Cod, Massachusetts |
| 6. | Grayton Beach State Park | Florida panhandle |
| 7. | Coronado Beach | San Diego, California |
| 8. | Coopers Beach | Southampton, New York |
| 9. | Caladesi Islanb State Park | Dunedin/Clearwater, Florida |
| 10. | Beachwalker Park | Kiawah Island, South Carolina |
Previous Winners of the Best American Beach Award
(excluded from 2015 list)
| Year | Name | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Waimanalo Bay Beach Park | Oahu, Hawaii |
| 2014 | Duke Kahanamoku | Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii |
| 2013 | Main Beach | East Hampton, New York |
| 2012 | Coronado Beach | San Diego, California |
| 2011 | Siesta Beach | Sarasota, Florida |
| 2010 | Coopers Beach | Southampton, New York |
| 2009 | Hanalei Bay | Kauai, Hawaii |
| 2008 | Caladesi Island State Park | Dunedin/Clearwater, Florida |
| 2007 | Ocracoke Lifeguard Beach | Outer Banks, North Carolina |
| 2006 | Fleming Beach Park | Maui, Hawaii |
| 2005 | Fort DeSoto Park | North Beach, Florida |
| 2004 | Hanauma Bay | Oahu, Hawaii |
| 2003 | Kaanapali | Hawaii |
| 2002 | St. Joseph Peninsula State Park | Florida |
| 2001 | Poipu Beach Park | Hawaii |
| 2000 | Mauna Kea Beach | Hawaii |
| 1999 | Wailea Beach | Hawaii |
| 1998 | Kailua Beach Park | Hawaii |
| 1997 | Hulopoe | Hawaii |
| 1996 | Lanikai Beach | Hawaii |
| 1995 | St. Andrews SRA | Florida |
| 1994 | Grayton Beach SRA | Florida |
| 1993 | Hapuna | Hawaii |
| 1992 | Bahia Honda SRA | Florida |
| 1991 | Kapalua Bay Beach | Hawaii |
Released since 1991, 650 major public recreational beaches in the U.S. are rated according to 50 criteria. Source: Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman (aka Dr. Beach), author of America's Best Beaches and professor of environmental studies at Florida International University.
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