Beach season is almost here, and as if the Hamptons needed more recognition, two Long Island beaches have made it to the top 10 in the US for 2025.
Cooper’s Beach, nestled in Southampton, grabbed the No. 1 spot on this list, according to Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, a respected environmental sciences expert from Florida International University. He’s known as “Dr. Beach,” a title he earned for his annual rankings that started in 1991.
New York’s beaches were praised for their “white quartz sand” and “large sand dunes topped with American beach grass,” surrounded by opulent mansions.
“It’s a big, beautiful beach,” Leatherman mentioned in a conversation with a news outlet.
Dr. Leatherman evaluates beaches using a 50-point checklist, primarily focused on swimming but encompassing aspects like scenery and activities. However, he acknowledges that popular spots can face challenges like heavy traffic and pricey parking.
To sidestep hefty parking fees, he recommends taking a free shuttle from downtown Southampton.
Last year, Cooper’s Beach trailed behind Duke Kahanamoku Beach in Oahu, which did not make the list for this year. The second and third places went to Wailea Beach in Maui and Poipu Beach in Kauai, respectively.
Florida made its mark with Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park in Naples snagging the fourth spot, and St. Andrews State Park in Panama City earning the seventh. The Hamptons reappeared at No. 5 with East Hampton’s main beach.
“The main beach blends nature and development beautifully,” Leatherman described. “It features expansive sandy areas of grainy quartz, towering sand dunes, and clean, clear blue waters.”
Interestingly, there’s also a chance of spotting celebrities at these locations, although, frustratingly, parking is still an issue. He suggests biking to avoid that hassle.
In the rankings, Beach Walker Park on Kiawah Island, South Carolina came in at No. 6, and St. Andrews State Park in Florida dropped to No. 7. Hawaii continued to shine with Kauna Oa and Lanikai Beach landing the eighth and ninth spots, respectively. Rounding out the list is the classic Coast Guard Beach in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Leatherman noted that some might find his selections surprising, pointing out that numerous American beaches tend to be overly polluted or have inconsistent water temperatures, which contributed to the beaches at the top of his list.
Top 10 Beaches in the US for 2025
- Cooper’s Beach, Southampton, New York
- Wailea Beach, Maui, Hawaii
- Poipu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii
- Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, Naples, Florida
- Main Beach, East Hampton, New York
- Beach Walker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina
- St. Andrews State Park, Panama City, Florida
- Kauna Oa, Big Island, Hawaii
- Lanikai Beach, Oahu, Hawaii
- Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
