In Photos: America’s Best Beaches of 2017

(?Swasdee/Shutterstock) America’s Top Beaches This wide white sand beach on the Big Island of Hawaii is not far from Puako and Waimea. Parking at the beach is only $5, and there are picnic areas, food vendors, showers and other amenities nearby. Leatherman noted there may be rapids, but lifeguards are on duty. (Courtesy of Stephen Leatherman)

Summer is here, which means "The Beach Doctor" has once again released his list of the top ten public beaches in the United States. Stephen Leatherman, a coastal scientist at Florida International University, publishes the list every year, selecting the 10 beaches that best meet 50 criteria. The beaches on the list have soft white sand, safe swimming, and clean water. Let's dive. Siesta Beach in Sarasota, Florida, Florida's Siesta Beach earned the No. 1 spot on Dr. Stephen Beach Leatherman's list this year for its white sand beaches and warm, clear waters. name. (Courtesy of Stephen Leatherman)

This wide white sand beach topped the 2011 Leatherman Beach Rankings, and it was in 2017 that Leatherman decided to "reset" his ranking to previously take the No. 1 spot. One beach can compete again. Siesta Beach's water is warm, clear and clean, and recent improvements like a new playground and expanded parking helped it rise to the top, Leatherman wrote. Kapalua Bay Beach, Maui, Hawaii

Hawaiian Beach is a perennial contender for the top 10 beaches, drawn from approximately 600 public beaches in the United States. According to Lisseman, Maui's Kapalua Bay Beach is a great swimming and snorkeling beach, and beachgoers can even rent snorkeling from one of the beachside concession huts. (Image credit: Courtesy Stephen Leatherman) The "KDSPs" Hawaii beaches are perennial contenders for top 10 beach lists, drawing from approximately 600 public beaches in the United States. According to Leatherman, Maui's Kapalua Bay Beach is a great swimming and snorkeling beach, and beachgoers can even rent snorkel boats from one of the concession huts on the edge of the beach. Oracoke Lifeguarded Beach, Outer Banks, North Carolina If you want some solitude, Oracoke Lifeguarded Beach is the place for you. This undeveloped, sandy expanse is located on Ocracoke Island on the outer shore. Leatherman wrote that later in the summer the waves can get wild, but earlier in the season the water is family-friendly. Ocracoke was a favorite haunt of Edward Dickey, also known as the Blackbeard Pirate. He was killed there in 1718. A museum on the island is dedicated to the legendary libertine and all pirates. (Courtesy of Stephen Leatherman)

If solitude is what you seek, Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach is your place. This undeveloped, sandy expanse is located on Ocracoke Island on the outer shore. Leatherman wrote that later in the summer the waves can get wild, but earlier in the season the water is family-friendly. Ocracoke was a favorite haunt of Edward Dickey, also known as Blackbeard the Pirate. He died in battle in 1718. A museum on the island is dedicated to the legendary Swashbuckler and all things pirate.

Grayton Beach State Park, Florida State Park Grayton Beach in State Park, Florida is located in a 2,000-acre state park with amenities such as cabins and campgrounds. Nature lovers can explore salt marshes and coastal forests as well as beaches, protected by soft white sand dunes. Former Florida Governor Bob Graham listed this as his favorite beach, according to Leatherman. (Courtesy of Stephen Leatherman)

Florida's narrow stretch of Grayton Beach is located in a 2,000-acre state park with amenities such as cabins and campgrounds. Nature lovers can explore salt marshes and coastal forests as well as beaches, protected by soft white sand dunes. According to Leatherman, former Florida Governor Bob Graham listed this as his favorite beach. Coopers Beach, Southampton, New York This wide southern beach on the Long Island coast is patrolled by lifeguards and has snack bars and other amenities. The beach is spacious and the scenery is spectacular: rows of sand dunes and luxurious mansions form the backdrop of Cooper's Beach. (Visitors do have to pay a hefty parking fee, although parking is available elsewhere in Southampton and bikes are free to ride in.) (Stephen Leatherman

This wide stretch of beach on Long Island's south shore is run by a lifeguard It's patrolled by police and has amenities such as a snack bar. The beach is spacious and the scenery is stunning: rows of sand dunes and luxurious mansions form the backdrop to Cooper's Beach (visitors do have to pay a hefty fee for parking, although parking is available elsewhere in Southampton. Parking is free, and you can bike in for free.) Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts A common name on Leatherman's annual list, Coast Guard Beach is a bit chilly for casual swimmers (water temperatures rarely exceed 70 degrees in the summer) degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius), but the setting is so beautiful that the waves beckon to surfers. The beach is at the base of a series of glacial cliffs, and perched on these cliffs is an old Coast Guard station that gives the beach its name. . (Courtesy Stephen Leatherman)

A frequent name on Leatherman's annual list, Coast Guard Beach is a bit chilly for recreational swimmers (the water rarely exceeds 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) in the summer, but The setting is so beautiful that the waves beckon to surfers. The beach is located at the base of a set of glacial cliffs and sits above an old Coast Guard station that gave the beach its name, Caladice Island State Park, Dunedin/Clear. Water, Florida Located at an inlet near Clearwater Beach, Caladice Island State Park is most easily accessible by boat or ferry. According to Leatherman's list, this undeveloped beach was the 2008 best. White, with free picnic pavilions and tables nearby. The park also features a three-mile hiking trail and a three-mile kayaking route through the mangroves (Courtesy Stephen Leatherman) Caladice Island State Park is located in Clear. A small cove near Water Beach is most easily accessible by boat or ferry. According to Leatherman's list, this undeveloped spot was the best beach in 2008. The sand is white and there are free picnic pavilions and tables nearby. The park also features a three-mile hiking trail and a three-mile kayaking route through mangroves. Hapuna Beach, Big Island, Hawaii This wide, white-sand beach on the Big Island of Hawaii is not far from Puako and Waimea. Parking at the beach is only $5, and there are picnic areas, food vendors, showers and other amenities nearby. There may be rapids, but lifeguards are on duty, Leatherman noted. (Courtesy Stephen Leatherman)

This wide, white-sand beach on the Big Island of Hawaii is not far from Puako and Waimea. Parking at the beach is only $5, and there are picnic areas, food vendors, showers and other amenities nearby, Leatherman noted. Might be a problem, but lifeguards are on duty.

Coronado Beach, San Diego, California Coronado Beach has a touch of Victorian elegance. The nearby Hotel Del Coronado, built in 1888, is a rare Victorian spa and hotel that is still in use. It's always been a favorite spot among celebrities, but anyone can come in for a bite to eat and a drink. The beach itself is a few hundred yards wide and has gentle waves, Leatherman said. (Courtesy of Stephen Leatherman)

Coronodo Beach has a Victorian elegance. The nearby Hotel Del Coronado, built in 1888, is a rare Victorian spa and hotel that is still in use. It's always been a favorite spot among celebrities, but anyone can come in for a bite to eat and a drink. The beach itself is a few hundred yards wide and has gentle waves, Leatherman said. Beachwalk Park at Kiva Island, South Carolina Biking, canoeing, and kayaking are all options at this public beach just south of Charleston, South Carolina. The water is very turbid