SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — Coopers Beach, with pristine white sand gently sloping toward a shoreline of lapping waves, convenient parking and amenities, and nary a gum wrapper in sight, has been selected as America’s best beach in an annual survey released today to coincide with the start of the summer vacation season.
“New York has world-class beaches, but I don’t think a lot of people in the United States know about them,” said Stephen Leatherman, director of Florida International University’s Laboratory for Coastal Research. Known as Dr. Beach, he has compiled the Top 10 list for 20 years. This year’s list includes two beaches in Florida, and Leatherman said he was not worried about pollution from the Gulf of Mexico oil spill affecting those locations.
He has compiled the list annually since 1991 using 50 criteria, including water quality and temperature, cleanliness, weather, sand, safety and facilities. This year’s list:
1. Coopers Beach, Southampton, N.Y.
2. Siesta Beach, Sarasota, Fla.
3. Coronado Beach, San Diego
4. Cape Hatteras, Outer Banks, N.C.
5. Main Beach, East Hampton, N.Y.
6. Kahanamoku Beach, Waikiki, Honolulu
7. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Mass.
8. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, S.C.
9. Hamoa Beach, Maui, Hawaii
10. Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne, Fla.
