Soaking up rays and walking on magnificent sand makes many beachgoers think of popular US hotspots like Hawaii, Florida, or even California.
But according to Dr. Beach, the expert on overall beach rankings in the US, a quiet spot in New York is the best beach in America.
According to Stephen Leatherman, a coastal scientist at Florida International University in Miami who’s gained the nickname Dr. Beach for his annual rankings, Cooper’s Beach in Southampton on the eastern end of Long Island is the best beach around.
The beach’s large sand dunes and pristine location put it over the top this year, according to Dr. Beach.
“It’s a big, beautiful beach,” Leatherman told CNN in an interview.
Leatherman noted that the only problem with Cooper’s Beach is the traffic that beachgoers likely encounter in the crowded Long Island area — and the high cost of parking at the beach.
Cooper’s Beach ranked No. 2 last year, behind Hawaii’s Duke Kahanamoku Beach on Oahu.
Leatherman, who has been evaluating beaches since 1991, has developed a 50-factor checklist for determining the most beautiful expanses of sand in the United States. Criteria include the presence of algae, the prevalence of rip tides and the cleanliness of the beach, plus air and water temperatures.
Cooper’s Beach surprise ranking as the top beach is a surprise as Hawaii, New York and Florida dominated the list in years past.
Hawaii did secure the next two spots on the 2025 list, with Wailea Beach on the island of Maui coming in second, and Kauai’s Poipu Beach ranking third.
Florida landed two spots on the list with the Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park in Naples at No. 4 and St. Andrews State Park in Panama City at No. 7.
Leatherman points to the “white sand beaches and crystal-clear Gulf waters” at Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park. He’s also fond of the wildlife you can find there, including ospreys and manatees.
Another perennial favorite that made the list again this year is Coast Guard Beach on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. In his write-up, Leatherman says, “The picturesque old Coast Guard station still sits atop the glacial bluffs, allowing for a spectacular view of the Nauset Spit barrier system and bay.”
California in fact didn’t land a single beach on the list this year.
Other beaches didn’t make the cut because the water, while clean, isn’t clear, a quality that’s prized by beach aficionados. Such is the case for some of Georgia’s beaches.
Leatherman seeks out beaches where the water is “aqua blue.”
Meanwhile, cold water temps are to blame for some of Maine’s most beautiful beaches failing to break the top 10.
“Water temperature is very important,” Leatherman said.
Here’s a complete list of the top 10 beaches in America.
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