Editor’s observe: Sign up for Unlocking the World, NCS Travel’s weekly newsletter. Get information about locations, plus the most recent in aviation, food and drinks, and the place to keep.
NCS
—
If you’ve visited Cooper’s Beach in Southampton on the japanese finish of Long Island and concluded it’s the most effective seaside round, you’re proper.
Because according to Dr. Beach, it’s the No. 1 seaside within the US.
The seaside’s massive sand dunes and pristine location put it over the top this 12 months, according to Stephen Leatherman, a coastal scientist at Florida International University in Miami who’s gained the nickname Dr. Beach for his annual rankings.
The seaside, positioned within the swanky Hamptons, ranked No. 2 final 12 months, behind Hawaii’s Duke Kahanamoku Beach on Oahu.
“It’s a big, beautiful beach,” Leatherman informed NCS in an interview.
In truth, the one downside with Cooper’s Beach is the site visitors that solar worshippers will doubtless encounter within the crowded Long Island enclave — and the excessive price of parking on the seaside. But Dr. Beach recommends taking a free shuttle from downtown Southampton.
Leatherman, who has been evaluating beaches since 1991, has developed a 50-factor guidelines for figuring out probably the most stunning expanses of sand within the United States. Criteria embrace the presence of algae, the prevalence of rip tides and the cleanliness of the seaside, plus air and water temperatures.
As in years previous, Hawaii, New York and Florida dominated the checklist.
(*10*)
Hawaii snagged the subsequent two spots on the 2025 checklist, with Wailea Beach on the island of Maui coming in second, and Kauai’s Poipu Beach rating third. Kaunaoa on the island of Hawaii and Lanikai Beach on Oahu made the checklist farther down.
Florida landed two spots on the checklist with the Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park in Naples at No. 4 and St. Andrews State Park in Panama City at No. 7.
Leatherman factors to the “white sand beaches and crystal-clear Gulf waters” at Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park. He’s additionally keen on the wildlife you’ll find there, together with ospreys and manatees.
Another perennial favourite that made the checklist once more this 12 months is Coast Guard Beach on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. In his write-up, Leatherman says, “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.”
Don’t see your favourite seaside on the checklist? Erosion, air pollution or harm from hurricanes may very well be the explanation why.
For instance, Coronado Beach in San Diego ranked No. 10 final 12 months however didn’t make the checklist in 2025. Leatherman cited air pollution within the close by Tijuana River as the principle issue.
“It’s hosted kings and queens … but now Coronado is too polluted to go in the water,” he informed NCS.
California in actual fact didn’t land a single seaside on the checklist this 12 months.
Other beaches didn’t make the lower as a result of the water, whereas clear, isn’t clear, a high quality that’s prized by seaside aficionados. Such is the case for a few of Georgia’s beaches. In truth, Leatherman seeks out beaches the place the water is “aqua blue.”
Meanwhile, chilly water temps are to blame for a few of Maine’s most stunning beaches failing to break the top 10.
“Water temperature is very important,” Leatherman mentioned.
1. Coopers Beach, Southampton, New York
2. Wailea Beach, Maui, Hawaii
3. Poipu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii
4. Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, Naples, Florida
5. Main Beach, East Hampton, New York
6. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina
7. St. Andrews State Park, Panama City, Florida
8. Kaunaoa, Big Island, Hawaii
9. Lanikai Beach, Oahu, Hawaii
10. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts