North Carolina Beach Named Best Beach In Country

A North Carolina beach was named the best beach in the country! Another NC beach came in the top 10 and the SC made the list too! Memorial Day weekend is here, which usually means folks across the country will be hitting the beach. But let’s face it, not all U.S. beaches are created equal. So, which ones are the best?

According to Yahoo, Stephen Leatherman, a.k.a. Dr. Beach, has come out with his 32nd annual list of the Best Beaches in the U.S. His list is based on 50 different criteria, with an emphasis on safety and cleanliness.

He also awards bonus points for the prohibition of smoking on beaches. Topping the list this year is Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach in the Outer Banks area of North Carolina. He calls it his favorite beach, with "16 miles of undeveloped beach and American beach grass-covered sand dunes." He notes that Ocracoke is an “idyllic island,” with “pristine beaches.”

Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach, Outer Banks of North Carolina

Caladesi Island State Park Dunedin/Clearwater, Florida

Coopers Beach Southampton, New York

St. George Island State Park Florida Panhandle

Duke Kahanamoku Beach Oahu, HI

Lighthouse Beach, Buxton, Outer Banks of North Carolina

Coronado Beach , San Diego California

Wailea Beach, Maui Hawaii,

Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina

Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod Massachusetts