Source: Outer Banks via Pinterest
Dr. Beach is back with his annual Best US Beaches list, and this year’s number one winner goes to a North Carolina favorite with ties to the infamous pirate, Blackbeard!
According to CNN, coastal scientist Dr. Stephen Leatherman – AKA Dr. Beach – has ranked America’s best beaches since 1991. Dr. Beach looks at 50 different criteria to compile his list, including beach width, sand softness, and water temps.
This year’s top winner is Ocracoke Island’s Lifeguarded Beach on North Carolina’s Outer Banks.
The beach is part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, and the island can only be accessed via private plane or boat and ferry service.
“I like this area because it has the three things that you must have to make a great beach: clean sand, clean water and beach safety,” Leatherman told CNN of his number one choice for 2022.
According to Dr. Beach, these are the Top Ten US Beaches for 2022:
1. Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach, Outer Banks of North Carolina
2. Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin/Clearwater, Florida
3. Coopers Beach, Southampton, New York
4. St. George Island State Park, Florida Panhandle
5. Duke Kahanamoku Beach, Oahu, Hawaii
6. Lighthouse Beach, Buxton, Outer Banks of North Carolina
7. Coronado Beach, San Diego, California
8. Wailea Beach, Maui, Hawaii
9. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina
10. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts