America's "Top 10 Beaches" has 3 in Florida

America's "Top 10 Beaches" has 3 in Florida The wide slice of brilliant white sand and warm, emerald water on Florida's southwest Gulf coast earned Sarasota's Siesta Beach the title of the best beach in the United States. It topped the list in an annual survey by Florida International University professor Steven Leatherman, who is also known by the friendly nickname "Dr. Beach."

Siesta Beach, 40 acres of almost pure quartz crystal sand on the Siesta Key barrier island, was runner-up in Leatherman's rankings the past two years and was third in 2008.

"The sand is like sugar," said Leatherman, director of FIU's Laboratory for Coastal Research. "Some people can't believe it. You have to bring sunglasses because it's so bright. It's super soft, super fine. They claim to have the finest, whitest sand in the world, and I can't argue with that."

Here are the top 10:

  1. Siesta Beach, Sarasota, Florida
  2. Coronado Beach in San Diego, Calfornia
  3. Kahanamoku Beach, Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii
  4. Main Beach, East Hampton, N.Y.
  5. Cape Hatteras in North Carolina
  6. St. George Island State Park, Florida Panhandle
  7. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, S.C
  8. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Mass.
  9. Waimanalo Bay Beach Park, Oahu, Hawaii
  10. Cape Florida State Park near Miami, Florida

Leatherman ranks beaches on 50 criteria, including the look and feel of the sand, water quality, weather, facilities and crowds. A top score is 250. Siesta Beach came in the 230s, losing minor points because the vista is heavy on condos to the north and south of the county park. Once a beach reaches the pinnacle of Leatherman's list, it is retired from consideration for future rankings.

 

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- Posted on May 27, 2011
Submitted by NickFslis on Wednesday, 02/15/2012 - 12:30.

I chose the article “Top 10 Beaches” has 3 in Florida. I chose this article because I love to go to the beach, and my family may be buying a camper or RV and maybe we could some stops to some of these beaches along the way.

I need to say this right now; I have been to Florida twice and I LOVED IT! I also have never been to one of these beaches before as well. The closest thing I have ever gotten to one of those beaches; is the one I went to that was near my uncle John. I find it interesting that 3 of the top 10 are all in Florida. In fact, my favorite one is not on the top ten! I usually go to Seaside Heights for when I go to the beach. In fact, we plan on renting a condo or house and staying there for a week!

In conclusion, I find it interesting how many of the best beaches are in Florida. Seeing this reminds me of all the wonderful times I had in Florida. Overall, this article brings back memories that lasted a lifetime.

Submitted by logan0297 on Wednesday, 10/05/2011 - 12:03.

I love the beach. Especially Siesta Beach. That is where I go when I go to Florida. There are always people there to hang out with from everywhere. I can see why this beach is the number 1!

Submitted by 6ChristianS on Sunday, 10/02/2011 - 21:31.

According to Steven Leatherman, the “Brilliant white sand and the warm, emerald water” of Siesta Beach has earned Florida first place on a survey from Florida International University (FIU) along with two other Florida beaches. First of all, the beaches are ranked on fifty different things. They are ranked on the look and feel of the sand, water quality, weather, buildings and crowds. Also, the maximum number of points allowed in this survey is 250. Siesta Beach, the first place beach, had around 230 points in total. However, the two other Florida beaches could not compare to Siesta such as one in the Panhandle of Florida that ranked sixth and Miami that ranked tenth. As you can see, America has some great beaches and although I love Florida beaches, FIU has proven they are not only ones. I believe that Siesta Beach and the other beaches deserve to be in the top ten.

Submitted by 5samd on Sunday, 10/02/2011 - 18:37.

Have you ever been to a beach before? Well, America surveyed people and and got a list of the top 10 beaches in America. Number 1 on the list is Siesta Beach, Sarasota, Florida. 3 of the top 10 beaches are in Florida. For instance, the 3 beaches in Florida are Siesta Beach in Sarasota, Florida, St. George Island State Park in Florida Panhandle, and Cape Florida State Park near Miami, Florida. There are more beaches in the top 10 than just Florida. In particular, some of the other beaches are in California, Hawaii, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Massachusetts. Not all of the beaches are on the East side. As an example, Florida and New York are on the East side, and Hawaii and California are on the West side. I believe that all of these 10 beaches are really nice beaches, but i still think that all the beaches in Florida are the nicest of all the other beaches.

Submitted by SammiS22 on Thursday, 09/29/2011 - 18:46.

That is awesome ! i live in Florida i love the sunshine and that it is the sunshine state. I also love California and that's where I'm from. I'm very happy that is always sunny too.

Submitted by Samhow on Friday, 09/23/2011 - 18:57.

I am lucky enough to live in Florida, and i have been to Seista beach. It deserves to be the number one beach. The sand there is so soft and white, and the water is so clear. I have not been to the other 2 beaches in Florida, but I will put them on my bucket list.

Submitted by BriandaBeast11 on Thursday, 09/22/2011 - 19:03.

So FIU took a survey of Americas top beaches, and Florida out of ten got three of them. Well half of these beaches I don't even know but if there on this list it must be good. Siesta Beach is the best beach in America, and its in Florida. Well I think all of Florida's beaches should be there but I guess not. So this beach sounds so good the way they describe it now I want to go to this crystal paradise!

Submitted by kevinm1313 on Thursday, 09/22/2011 - 09:29.

I would love to move to Florida. It's hot most of the year and has good beaches but the best part would be getting to see an ocean. The only problem is they have hurricanes down there.

Submitted by codyl126 on Wednesday, 09/21/2011 - 21:36.

WOW! Three beaches in Florida. My family and I went to Florida for our vacation. It was a big hoot, but very interesting to hear that Florida has three beaches. If Florida has three beaches, then how come every other state in the world has only one or two beaches?

Submitted by Miles33 on Monday, 09/19/2011 - 13:08.

Siesta Key beach in Sarasota Florida is beautiful. I love the restaurant Mr. Bones. I get their hot dogs and they're the best. And the ice cream, is awesome. Plus the sand is very soft you could lay and play in it all day. There is a lot of cool shops in Siesta Key.