subject: Beaches in Hawaii - Best Beach In The World [print this page] Beaches in Hawaii - Best Beach In The World
The best beach in the world can now officially be found on Hawaii as the winner of this year's eagerly awaited America's Best Beaches Awards goes to Hanalei Bay on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. The much-lauded Dr Stephen Leatherman (a.k.a. 'Dr Beach') bestowed upon this spectacular crescent-shaped beach, found on Kauai's north coast, the top spot for 2009 due to its cleanliness and beauty. The popular spot attracts all kinds of tourists from families through honeymooners to those in their golden years.
Thanks to its exotic palm trees, three kilometres of white sand and its dazzling backdrop of waterfalls, which offer something for every kind of lover of landscapes, Hanalei Bay has been the inspiration for paintings, photo shoots and films for over 50 years, including the 1958 musical, South Pacific.
Hanalei Bay has been a previous contestant in Dr Beach's awards but somehow, with such stiff competition, it didn't win; however, 2009 was the year when it finally received recognition as probably the best beach in the world, gaining the considerable honor of being named the ultimate beach in the USA beating off Siesta Beach in Florida and Cooper Beach in New York, amongst others.
This relatively undiscovered area of Hawaii is perfect for swimming, snorkelling and surfing. The clear emerald waters off what many consider best beach in the world are ideal during summer, whilst the surf tends to pick up at other times of year. The relaxed village of Hanalei offers simple dining and drinking spots, with one of the best views of the beach from the Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas.
Dr Beach is America's most quoted authority on beaches so he should recognize best beach in the world when he sees it. As the Director of the Florida International University's Laboratory for Coastal Research, he is certainly considered the expert of what makes a beach 'the best'.
The hotly-contested awards are eagerly awaited by travellers and tourism officials across the USA and worldwide each year. Past winners include Hanauma Bay on Oahu and Fleming Beach on Maui, as well as North Beach in Florida and Ocracoke Beach in North Carolina. The awards began in 1989 and once a beach is awarded first place, it is 'retired' from future lists.
Fifty criteria are used to evaluate the beaches, which include water and sand quality, safety, facilities and environmental management. What makes Dr Beach's selections so unique is his expertise as a coastal scientist with more than 30 years of experience studying storm impacts, erosion and ways to improve beach health and safety so you're not talking about purely cosmetic reasons for judging best beach in the world.
Other spectacular beaches can also be found on Maui with its 120 miles of coastline and over 30 miles of beautiful white, black and red sand beaches: Oahu with the world famous Waikiki beach and Big Island with its lush vegetation and secluded beach coves could all be worthy winners of the title of best beach in the world.
