The best beaches of 2008
Dr. Beach, aka professor Stephen Leatherman, is out today with his list of the top beaches for 2008. Sadly, but not surprisingly, no Maryland beaches made the cut. The best beach? Caladesi Island on the Gulf Coast of Florida, north of Clearwater.
The runners-up: Hanalei Beach, Hawaii; Siesta Beach in Sarasota, Fla.; Coopers Beach in Southampton, N.Y.; Coronado Beach in San Diego; Main Beach in East Hampton, N.Y.; Hamoa Beach, Hawaii; Cape Hatteras, N.C.; Cape Florida State Park near Miami; and Beachwalker Park on Kiawah Island, S.C.
I'm a Florida girl, so I know my beaches, but I haven't been to any of the ones listed in Florida. I have been to others on the list: Coronado and Kiawah. Both are beautiful, but I don't think anything compares to Bahia Honda State Park in the Keys.
(Photo: Caladesi Island, by Associated Press)
Comments
Siesta beach in Fla. is lovely. In fact, most of my favorite beaches are on Florida's Gulf coast. Under-rated, IMO.
Posted by: aeb | May 22, 2008 12:58 PM
Yes, Bahia Honda is very nice. Here in Bay County FL, they call the county "Home of the World's Most Beautiful Beaches". And Dr. Beach did name St. Andrews State Park here the best beach a few years ago.
A former Baltimorean, I'm liking it here on the Emerald Coast.
Posted by: Rob in PCB FL | May 22, 2008 1:04 PM
If you are from Florida but havent been to the beaches, then how can you say you know your beaches. I can be from Kansas and still know beaches..especially if they are in other states I dont even live in.
Posted by: Beach Boys | May 22, 2008 2:10 PM
I'm fairly certain Bahia Honda was on the list last year.
I did a quick search and Bahia Honda was not on the 2007 or 2006 lists. It may have been prior to that. -MDZ
Posted by: Greg S | May 22, 2008 4:00 PM
I've been to Caladesi--you take a passenger ferry there and back. The sand is soft, the water is clear, and the beach slopes gently into the water. However, I went in July, and it was so beastly hot that I couldn't stay for more than an hour. I think the "best beach" designation is a little much. But then, I prefer rugged coastlines with cool rocks and shells to look at.
Posted by: AEH | May 22, 2008 4:40 PM
Ocean City is the worlds largest ash tray.
Posted by: Danny Woo | May 22, 2008 4:54 PM
Coranado is nice and so is the weather!!
Posted by: steve | May 22, 2008 5:44 PM
I took Dr. Leatherman's "Beach Dynamics" class at UMCP in the 80's. I took away one lesson: NEVER EVER EVER buy a beach house. It's only a matter of time before it gets washed away.
Posted by: Aaron | May 22, 2008 11:33 PM