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Teresa

SoWal Guide
Staff member
Nov 15, 2004
30,250
9,279
South Walton, FL
sowal.com
“Dr. Beach” Names Hawaii’s Kailua Beach Park
America’s Best Beach

TOP 10 BEACHES 2019
10. Beachwalker Park Kiawah Island, South Carolina

9. Coronado Beach, San Diego, California

8. Hapuna Beach State Park, Big Island, Hawaii

7. Caladesi Island State Park Dunedin/Clearwater, Florida

6. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts

5. Duke Kahanamoku Beach, Oahu, Hawaii

4. Coopers Beach, Southampton, New York

3. Grayton Beach State Park Florida panhandle

2. Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach, Outer Banks of North Carolina

1. Kailua Beach Park, Oahu, Hawaii

2019 #1 BEACH: Kailua Beach Park is a beautiful white sand coral beach with generally small waves, making it great for swimming and kayaking. A very popular activity is to paddle a kayak to the nearby picturesque offshore islands; the larger one has a nice sandy beach. Kailua Beach Park has lifeguards on duty, free parking, bathrooms, beach showers, picnic tables, volleyball courts and kayak rentals among other amenities. It is only minutes away from the village of Kailua where there are good restaurants, or you can pick up plate lunches and drinks for the beach.

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Visit www.drbeach.org to view the full list of 2019 Top Ten Beaches in America!


PRESS RELEASE MAY 23 2019
Miami, FL—Embargoed for release at 1 AM EST on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Kailua Beach Park is number one in the 29th annual Top 10 Beach List, produced by coastal expert Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, professor at Florida International
University.

Kailua Beach Park is a beautiful white sand coral beach with generally small waves, making it great for swimming and kayaking. A very popular activity is to paddle a kayak to the nearby picturesque offshore islands; the larger one has a nice sandy beach. Kailua Beach Park has lifeguards on duty, free parking, bathrooms, beach showers, picnic tables, volleyball courts and kayak rentals among other amenities. It is only minutes away from the village of Kailua where there are good restaurants, or you can pick up plate lunches and drinks for the beach.

As “Dr. Beach” (www.DrBeach.org), Leatherman has selected the annual Top 10 Beaches since 1991. Fifty criteria are used to evaluate beaches, which include water and sand quality as well as safety and management. Dr. Leatherman is an internationally known coastal scientist who has published 20 books and hundreds of scientific articles and reports about storm impacts, coastal erosion and ways to improve beach health and safety.

Bonus points are awarded for prohibition of smoking on beaches, and Oahu, Hawaii is leading the way by keeping their beaches clear of cigarette butts. Previous National Winners are retired and listed on my web site.
 

Teresa

SoWal Guide
Staff member
Nov 15, 2004
30,250
9,279
South Walton, FL
sowal.com
FB_IMG_1558625491571.jpg

In the first 25 years, Grayton Beach State Park in Santa Rosa Beach was No. 1 in 1994. It was up to No. 3 in 2018 and remained No. 3 for 2019.

“This beach boasts of its sugar-white sand and emerald green water where development has been restrained so big sand dunes still dominate the landscape,” Leatherman said. “At the same time, all the amenities of great restaurants and accommodations are close by in the old town of Grayton Beach or Seaside. Many people choose to camp in this wonderful state park that also features tidal lakes and freshwater ponds. Former Governor Bob Graham told me that this was his favorite beach.”

Congrats to Grayton Beach State Park for making the Top 10 Beach List once again. From its beaches along the Gulf of Mexico to the pines of Western Lake and wooded dunes, trails and wildlife, this coastal preserve is a true treasure in the heart of South Walton Florida. Opt outside and explore our parks this season.

Free admission and plenty of parking for beach goers and park exploration all summer starting Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Free admission to Grayton Beach State Park and Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is available to all park visitors for the season as granted annually by Walton County TDC.

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