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A beach only a short drive from Tallahassee has been ranked as one of the best in America by Dr. Beach.
Dr. Stephen Leatherman, who has been using the Dr. Beach alias for 30 years, released his comprehensive Top Ten Beaches Thursday morning, where St. George Island State Park secured the No. 4 spot.
Leatherman cited assets like great beachcombing, shelling and sugary fine, white sand beach for the high ranking of the 2,000-acre park. This long barrier island, far from urban areas, is a favorite destination for beachgoers, anglers and bird watchers as nature abounds, he wrote in his rankings. While St. George Island suffered a big hit in 2018 by Hurricane Michael, the area has substantially recovered, especially the sugary fine, white sand beach. There is much to explore.
Hapuna Beach State Park was ranked the best beach in the U.S. in Leatherman s review of sandy shorelines for 2021.
Leatherman, a coastal scientist and professor at Florida International University, hopes his 30th annual list will encourage people to get out and leave the past year of pandemic struggles in the rearview mirror.
He acknowledged that people will have to pay extra to get tested for COVID-19 before coming to the islands. “Hawaii is a really special place, and so I think it’s worth it, he said.
Kandi Miranda, who owns Manuela Malasada Company and runs a food truck near Hapuna Beach State Park, was born and raised on the Big Island. She was able to stay open for locals throughout the pandemic and is optimistic about the return of visitors.
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Cruising along the west side of Hawaii s Big Island, the landscape is dominated by ancient volcanic flows and jagged shorelines. Then you get to Hapuna Beach.
There, the contrast of black lava rock, white sand and blue water means you have arrived in paradise â at least that s what âDr. Beachâ believes.
âItâs like an oasis,â said Stephen Leatherman, who has been ranking U.S. beaches on his annual list under the alias âDr. Beachâ for three decades.
The sand looks super white there because of the black lava beside it,â he said. I think the contrast makes you think, âOh my gosh, Iâve never seen sand so white in my life.â â
Hapuna Beach State Park was ranked the best beach in the U.S. in Leatherman s review of sandy shorelines for 2021.
Leatherman, a coastal scientist and professor at Florida International University, hopes his 30th annual list will encourage people to get out and leave the past year of pandemic struggles in the rearview mirror.
He acknowledged that people will have to pay extra to get tested for COVID-19 before coming to the islands. “Hawaii is a really special place, and so I think it’s worth it, he said.
Kandi Miranda, who owns Manuela Malasada Company and runs a food truck near Hapuna Beach State Park, was born and raised on the Big Island. She was able to stay open for locals throughout the pandemic and is optimistic about the return of visitors.
Top 10 US beaches for 2021 from Dr Beach keyt.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from keyt.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.