Doctor Beach Just Put A Naples Florida Beach In His Top 10
Naples, Florida just keeps raking in the accolades. Earlier this week, US News and World Report voted Naples as the best place to live in the country. Now a new list is out, Doctor Beach’s Top 10 Beaches, and Naples is once again recognized.
Fifty criteria are used to evaluate beaches, including water and sand quality as well as safety and management. FIU Professor Stephen Leatherman, known as “Doctor Beach” is an internationally known coastal scientist who has published 20 books and hundreds of scientific articles and reports about storm impacts, coastal erosion and ways to improve beach health and safety.
Doctor Beach’s Number 1 Beach For 2024
Duke Kahanamoku claimed the top spot because of its white coral sand and clear water. It also doesn’t hurt that an ancient volcano crater sits in the backdrop, he said. Located at the west end of Hawaii’s Waikiki Beach, the beach is far from the large crowds elsewhere and the widest beach on this stretch of world-famous sands. It is also protected by an offshore coral reef, which Leatherman says makes it a good beach for families with children. The nearby Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon is also a favorite bathing and swimming spot.
Doctor Beach’s Top 10
- Duke Kahanamoku Beach — Oahu, Hawaii
- Coopers Beach — Southhampton, NY
- Wailea Beach — Maui, Hawaii
- Caladesi Island State Park — Dunedin/Clearwater, Fla.
- Beachwalker Park — Kiawah Island, SC
- Main Beach — East Hampton, NY
- Poipu Beach — Kauai, Hawaii
- Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park — Naples, Fla.
- Coast Guard Beach — Cape Cod, Mass.
- Coronado Beach — San Diego, Calif.
It’s not surprising to see two Florida beaches on the list, but having one from Naples is a big win. Naples, like much of Southwest Florida, took a lot of damage from Hurricane Ian back in 2022. So when I saw the new Doctor Beach rankings were out, I didn’t expect much. Congratulations to everyone who took part in the recovery of that beach.
