2 Fla. beaches among top 10

By The Tampa Tribune
Published: May 23, 2009

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Two Florida beaches made the list of top 10 beaches for 2009 by Stephen P. Leatherman, director of Florida International University's Laboratory for Coastal Research. Leatherman, also known as Dr. Beach, has compiled the list annually since 1991 using 50 criteria, including water quality and temperature, cleanliness, weather, sand, safety and facilities.

1. Hanalei (pronounced Ha-na-LAY) Bay, Kauai, Hawaii

2. Siesta Beach, Sarasota

3. Coopers Beach, Southampton, N.Y.

4. Coronado Beach, San Diego

5. Hamoa Beach, Maui, Hawaii

6. Main Beach, East Hampton, N.Y.

7. Cape Hatteras, Outer Banks, N.C.

8. Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne

9. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Mass.

10. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, S.C.

The Associated Press