HONOLULU -- A Hawaii beach once again tops the list of the best beaches in America as ranked by the Florida environmental scientist known as "Doctor Beach."
In his 14th annual survey, Stephen Leatherman said Oahu's Hanauma Bay is the best beach in America. Earlier this week, Leatherman told the
Los Angeles Times that Hawaii would not have to top spot.
Hawaii beaches have topped the list all but once in the last nine years. Since the first rankings were released in 1991, Florida has been the only other state to have a beach occupy the top spot.
Hanalei Bay on the north shore of Kauai also earned a top 10 ranking from Doctor Beach.
Last year's national winner was Kaanapali Beach on Maui. Once a beach earns the top ranking on Leatherman's list, it is excluded from future surveys.
Other beaches honored this year were:
Fort De Soto Park, Fla.
Caladesi Island State Park, Fla.
Cresecent Beach, Fla.
Cape Florida State Park, Fla.
Ocracoke Island in N.C.
Main Beach in East Hampton, NY
Coast Guard Beach in Cape Cod, Mass.
Coronado Beach, Calif.Copyright 2004 by TheHawaiiChannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
