• Stephen Leatherman (AKA Dr. Beach) is a coastal scientist at Florida International University in Miami. He has been ranking beaches since 1991 based on 50-point criteria. 
• The number one beach this year is Cooper’s Beach in Southampton on New York’s Long Island. 
• Dr. Beach said Cooper’s sand dunes and pristine location got the location to the top this year. 
• Here is the full top ten:

1. Coopers Beach, Southampton, New York
2. Wailea Beach, Maui, Hawaii
3. Poipu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii
4. Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, Naples, Florida
5. Main Beach, East Hampton, New York
6. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina
7. St. Andrews State Park, Panama City, Florida
8. Kaunaoa, Big Island, Hawaii
9. Lanikai Beach, Oahu, Hawaii
10. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts     

https://us.cnn.com/2025/05/22/travel/top-10-us-beaches-2025-dr-beach