When it comes to settling on the perfect destination for the ultimate summer beach vacation, it helps to consult the experts.
Finding the right beach for you in 2025 just got easier as Dr. Beach recently released his annual rankings of the nation's best stretches of coastline.
Stephen Leatherman, a coastal scientist at Florida International University in Miami, has been evaluating beaches for more than three decades, developing a checklist over the years that features dozens of factors for determining the most inviting beaches in the U.S.
Analyzing factors such as cleanliness, algae presence, rip tides and air and water temperatures, among other things, this year's top 10 list boasts a variety of sandy locales.
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Say 'Aloha' to Hawaii's Best Beaches
Maybe you'd prefer a Hawaiian beach this summer. If so, you're in luck, as the climate-friendly island state possesses four of the nation's 10 best beaches, according to Dr. Beach.
Maui's pristine white-sand Wailea Beach ranks second this year, edging out the similarly family-friendly Poipu Beach on the south shore of Kauai.
Poipu, Kaua'i (Photo via Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson)
The Big Island and Oahu are also represented, with Kaunaoa ranking eighth and Lanikai Beach coming in ninth.
"Lanikai Beach is quite small but arguably the most beautiful beach in Hawaii," claims Dr. Beach. "The water is perfectly clear and shallow and usually calm, with two offshore islands acting as a pictorial backdrop. The best place to visit this very special beach is on Mokumanu Drive where there is a big bulge of sand."
The Best Beaches in the US Are on the East Coast
Perhaps you seek to vacation like a VIP in the Hamptons. If that's the case, you'll be happy to know that Coopers Beach in Southampton, New York, is this year's top-ranked beach.
"Coopers Beach is hundreds of yards wide, made of grainy white quartz sand. The beach is backed by large sand dunes covered by American beach grass, interspersed with extravagant mansions," says Dr. Beach. "The best time of the year to visit is in September when the summer tourists are gone, and the ocean water is still warm."
Coopers Beach in Southampton, New York. (Photo Credit: Adobe/Joe Trentacosti)
Elsewhere on the East Coast, Beachwalker Park (sixth) in South Carolina's Kiawah Island and Cape Cod's Coast Guard Beach (10th) also made the top 10 for 2025.
You Still Can't Go Wrong in the Sunshine State
Of course, many travelers will flock to Florida's sprawling coastlines this summer.
According to Dr. Beach, two shorelines stand out in the Sunshine State this year, including Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park in Naples and Panama City's St. Andrews State Park, which rank fourth and seventh, respectively.
Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, Naples, Florida. (Photo Credit: Adobe/SailingAway)
In addition to offering quintessential summer landscapes, these beaches are calling out to adrenaline seekers and nature enthusiasts.?
"This barrier island beach boasts beautiful white sand beaches and crystal-clear Gulf waters. Activities include swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, shelling, and fishing," Dr. Beach says of Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park. "Wildlife in the park includes bald eagles, ospreys, and manatees. Pine trees provide welcome shade."
Talk to a Travel Advisor
Dr. Beach's list is a great starting point when it comes to planning but an experienced travel advisor can also guide you toward the perfect beach match this summer. Even if you have your mind made up, these travel experts can make a great vacation even better.
Nothing beats a sunny and sandy beach vacation this time of year but there's no shortage of exceptional and unique beaches to select from in 2025.?
So choose wisely.
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