‘Dr. Beach’ names 10 best U.S. beaches

Beaches in Florida, Hawaii, New York and the Carolinas top a new 2008 list of America’s best beaches.

The list from "Dr. Beach," a.k.a. beach expert Stephen P. Leatherman, names Caladesi Island State Park on Florida’s West Coast as the top U.S. beach.

Leatherman, a professor at Florida International University, comes up with the list every year as part of the National Healthy Beaches Campaign.

Dr. Beach’s America’s Best Beaches
1. Caladesi Island State Park, Fla.	6. Main Beach, East Hampton, N.Y.
2. Hanalei Beach, Kauai, Hawaii	7. Hamoa Beach, Maui, Hawaii
3. Siesta Beach, Sarasota, Florida	8. Cape Hatteras, Outer Banks, N.C.
4. Coopers Beach, Southampton, N.Y.	9. Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne, Fla.
5. Coronado Beach, San Diego, California	10. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, S.C.