In a 35-Year First, the Best Beach in the US Isn’t in Hawaiʻi or Florida

But it's a beach that's been on the list before.

May 26, 2025 - 19:50

For the first time in 35 years of ranking beaches, data from Dr. Stephen Leatherman — a.k.a. “Dr. Beach” — awarded the title of “America’s best beach” to one outside of Hawaiʻi or Florida.

Coopers Beach in Southampton, New York, earned the number one spot for 2025. It’s a shift for the list, historically dominated by the tropical (and subtropical) sands of the Pacific and Gulf coasts. Coopers Beach is beloved for its broad stretches of grainy white sand, towering dunes covered in swaying beach grass, and backdrop of Hamptons mansions — though it isn’t immune from criticism, as parking there costs $50 per day. But it finally edged out perennial favorites after taking third place in 2023 and second place in 2024. Now, it’s the best beach in the US, according to 50 rigorous data points.

Since 1991, the beach expert has assessed beaches on 50 distinct criteria, from water temperature and sand softness to wave quality, cleanliness, noise, and amenities like lifeguards and restrooms. Beaches earn “bonus points” for factors like being smoke-free. It’s an in-depth process that ensures beaches can’t rest on their laurels, as environmental setbacks or safety issues can quickly knock previous winners out of the top spots.

2025’s best beaches had some unexpected inclusions

Photo: Joe Trentacosti/Shutterstock

The 2025 list of the best beaches in the US is significantly different from years past (though still geographically diverse). Hawaiʻi still has four entries, and Florida still has two, but other top spots went to more northern beaches, including two in the Hamptons and one in South Carolina. Interestingly, not a single beach in California made the top 10 list. Dr. Beach told CNN that Coronado Beach, which took the 10th spot in 2024, was dropped due to water quality issues stemming from cross-border pollution in the Tijuana River. Other beaches that made the top 10 list in 2025 but were absent in 2025 include Duke Kahanamoku Beach in Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi, and Caladesi Island State Park in Clearwater, Florida.

#10: Coast Guard Beach: Eastham, Massachusetts (Ranked #9 in 2024)
#9: Lanikai Beach: Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi (Not on 2024 list)
#8: Kaunaoa Beach: Big Island, Hawaiʻi (Not on 2024 list)
#7: St. Andrews State Park: Panama City, Florida (Not on 2024 list)
#6: Beachwalker Park: Kiawah Island, South Carolina (Ranked #5 in 2024)
#5: Main Beach: East Hampton, New York (Ranked #6 in 2024)
#4: Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park: Naples, Florida (Ranked #8 in 2024)
#3: Poipu Beach: Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi (Ranked #7 in 2024)
#2: Wailea Beach: Maui, Hawaiʻi (Ranked #3 in 2024)
#1: Coopers Beach: Southampton, New York (Ranked #2 in 2024)

2024 vs 2025’s list

St. Andrews State Park is known not just for the beach, but for its surrounding protected wildlife habitat. Photo: Terry Kelly/Shutterstock

Dr. Beach uses the same criteria each year, so the metrics don’t change. However, the score each beach gets in every category can change — for example, a popular beach could score highly on the “noise” factor if having lively surroundings is considered a good thing, but get a low score another year if there’s more of a general desire for peace and quiet. The 2025 winners reflect some general trends also reflected in travel across the US.

The fact that there were four beaches in Hawaiʻi, and two that are less commercialized and more tranquil (Kaunaoa and Lanikai) suggest that travelers are trending toward more secluded and natural beaches. Both Delnor-Wiggins Pass and Beachwalker Park are wildlife conservation areas, and in St. Andrews State Park, visitors have to take a ferry to reach the main part of the park, helping to keep development (and some crowds) a bit removed.

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