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 Office of University Relations 2101 Turner Building College Park, Maryland 20742-5411 Phone (301) 405-4621 Fax (301) 314-9344 E-Mail: univrels@umdacc.umd.edu |
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Office of University Relations 2101 Turner Building College Park, Maryland 20742-5411 Phone (301) 405-4621 Fax (301) 314-9344 E-Mail: univrels@umdacc.umd.edu |
COLLEGE PARK, MD -- Hawaii and Florida claimed 15 of this year's top 20
beaches, with
Lanikai Beach in Hawaii securing the top honor. Following is the
complete list of the 1996 best
beaches as identified by University of Maryland professor Stephen
Leatherman, also known as "Dr. Beach."
| 1. Lanikai Beach, Hawaii | 11. St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, Florida |
| 2. Kailua, Hawaii | 12. St. George Island State Park, Florida |
| 3. Caladesi Island State Park, Florida | 13. Ocracoke Island, North Carolina |
| 4. Kaunaoa, Hawaii | 14. Perdido Key State Recreation Area, Florida |
| 5. Wailea, Hawaii | 15. Sand Key Park, Florida |
| 6. Hulopoe, Hawaii | 16. East Hampton Beach, New York |
| 7. Cape Florida State Recreation Area, Florida | 17. Westhampton Beach, New York |
| 8. Fort Desoto Park, Florida | 18. Bald Head Island, North Carolina |
| 9. Hanalei Beach, Hawaii | 19. Coast Guard Beach, Massachusetts |
| 10. Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Recreation Area, Florida | 20. Clam Pass Park, Florida |
Leatherman, a coastal geologist who has conducted his annual ranking of the country's best beaches since 1991, says that Lanikai Beach, on the windward side of Oahu, has the most beautiful water he has ever seen in the United States. "The water and two offshore islands that provide an enchanting setting really add to this beach's stunning beauty," says Leatherman. But he has a dire prediction for this small beach: "Lanikai Beach will likely be gone in the near future because bulkheads, built by homeowners to protect their property against slow erosion, are squeezing the beach out of existence," he warns. Despite homeowners' actions, Lanikai Beach is public, although limited access may belie this fact. "It comes down to the issue of whether we want bedrooms or beaches, private property or public access," says Leatherman.
Missing from this year's list are beaches from Florida's Panhandle, home of the 1995 and 1994 winners, St. Andrews State Recreation Area and Grayton Beach State Recreation Area, respectively. "Hurricane Opal really took its toll on this area, damaging fishing piers, boardwalks, sand dunes, and other amenities," says Leatherman. "But the good news is that the beach and the water are still there and people can still enjoy these beaches. Nature will recover from this one."
Other previous national winners include Hapuna, Hawaii (1993); Bahia Honda Recreational State Area, Florida (1992); and Kapalua, Hawaii (1991). National winners of previous years are excluded from the survey for 10 years.
In addition to best overall beaches, Leatherman also has identified the country's best walking beaches, best wild beaches, and most romantic beaches. Five beaches were given the "best" ranking in each category, one each from the Northeast, Southeast, Gulf Coast, West Coast and Hawaii. They are:
Best Walking Beaches, featuring hand-packed sand and gently sloping beaches: Gay Head, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts; Hammocks Beach State Park, North Carolina; Crescent Beach, Siesta Key, Florida; Carmel Beach, California; Kailua Beach, Oahu.
Best Wild Beaches, which are sparsely populated, have limited access and in which nature abounds: Jasper Beach, Maine; Cumberland Island, Georgia; Padre Island, Texas; Shi Shi Beach, Washington; and Kalalua Beach State Park, Hawaii.
Most Romantic Beaches, featuring natural beauty, privacy, good sand and water quality, and amenities such as easy access, picnic area and places to walk along the shore: East Hampton, New York; Kiawah Island, South Carolina; Captiva Island, Florida; Santa Catalina Island, California; and Hermosa Beach, Hana, Maui.
#96100R, 5/21/96, Workman