Hanalei Bay

Stephen P. Leatherman, director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Florida International University, also known as Dr. Beach, said the spectacular white crescent-shaped sand beach- Hanalei Bay-is considered "the most-beautiful beach setting in Hawaii ".

Dr. Beach has compiled the list annually since 1991 using 50 criteria, including water quality and temperature, cleanliness, weather, sand, safety and facilities.

Siesta Beach, Sarasota, Fla. has got second slot on the list. Coopers Beach in Southampton, which has been on the list for four consecutive years now, regained No. 3 on the list, one year after slipping to No. 4.

Main Beach in East Hampton remained at No. 6 for the second straight year, after being ranked No. 7 in 2007.

The other beaches are: Coronado Beach, San Diego; Hamoa Beach, Maui, Hawaii; Cape Hatteras, Outer Banks, N.C.; Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne, Fla.; Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Mass.; Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, S.C.