Poipu Beach on Kauai has been named the best beach in the U.S. for 2026 in Dr. Beach's annual ranking of the best beaches in the U.S.gettyWhat are the best beaches in the U.S. for 2026? Dr. Beach—real name Dr. Stephen Leatherman—has released his annual ranking of the top 10 beaches in America, just as summer travel season kicks into high gear.Leatherman, a professor in the Department of Earth and Environment at Florida International University, has been ranking America’s best beaches since 1991. Each year, he evaluates beaches using 50 criteria, including sand softness, water quality, safety, amenities and environmental management.Hawaii dominates Dr. Beach's 2026 ranking, claiming four of the 10 spots on the annual list, including the No. 1 beach, Poipu, on Kauai.gettyWhat Is The Best Beach In The U.S.?This year’s top spot goes to Poipu Beach on Kauai’s sunny south shore. “It’s got something for everybody. Just depends on what you want,” Leatherman told me in an interview. According to Leatherman, the beach stands out because it’s essentially two beaches in one, thanks to a narrow sand formation known as a tombolo, which separates two distinct pocket beaches. One side has calm, shallow water ideal for families and snorkeling. The other side is exposed to waves that are great for surfing. “It’s pretty unique,” he says.Poipu isn’t the only Hawaii beach on the list. In fact, Hawaii dominates this year’s ranking, claiming four of the 10 spots. Along with Poipu, the list includes Wailea Beach on Maui, Kaunaoa Beach on the Island of Hawaii and Lanikai Beach on Oahu.Florida follows with three beaches on the list, while New York, South Carolina and Massachusetts each claim one spot. The geographic diversity reflects what Leatherman looks for in a great beach: clean sand, clean water, safety and strong environmental stewardship rather than simply warm weather or tropical scenery.Caladesi Island State Park returned to Dr. Beach's top 10 ranking for 2026 after recovering from damage caused by Hurricane Helene.gettyWhy Some Beaches Fell Off The ListWhile this year’s list celebrates some of America’s most beautiful stretches of coastline, it also underscores the growing environmental pressures facing many beaches.Two longtime favorites that have made the top 10 in the past are absent from the rankings because of ongoing environmental concerns. Lighthouse Beach in North Carolina’s Cape Hatteras National Seashore has suffered erosion from coastal storms, exposing the remains of a former U.S. Navy submarine spy station and leaking oily substances. “Now the question is, who’s going to clean this mess up?” says Leatherman.Meanwhile, Coronado Beach near San Diego is struggling with sewage-contaminated wastewater flowing from Mexico’s Tijuana River. “We cannot let this happen,” says Leatherman. “This is one of our greatest beaches in the world.”One beach did make a comeback this year: After being left off the list in 2025, Caladesi Island State Park in Florida returned to the top 10 after recovering from major damage caused by 2024’s Hurricane Helene.Aerial panorama of Hapuna Beach State Park, the Hall of Fame winner from 2021.gettyBest Beaches: The Hall of FameYou won’t see Poipu on next year’s list. Leatherman retires the winning beach each year and adds it to a hall of fame, ensuring that new beaches have a chance to claim the top spot. The tradition has helped keep the annual ranking fresh while creating a roster of some of the country’s most celebrated stretches of sand.Past winners have included Coopers Beach in Southampton, New York (which won in 2025), Oahu’s Duke Kahanamoku Beach (the 2024 winner), St. George Island State Park in the Florida Panhandle (the 2023 winner), Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach in the Outer Banks of North Carolina (the 2022 winner) and Hawaii’s Hapuna Beach State Park (the 2021 winner).Read on for Dr. Beach’s picks for the best beaches in the U.S. for 2026.Ranked: The 10 Best Beaches In The U.S.Poipu Beach on Kauai's south shore is famous for offering both calm swimming areas and surf breaks.getty1. Poipu Beach - Kauai, HawaiiWhy It Made The List: A narrow sand spit known as a tombolo separates Poipu into two, creating dramatically different conditions. There’s a sandy calm area that’s great for children and another area with big waves for surfing. The beach is also known for its golden sand, crystal-clear water and its wildlife sightings. “In the very shallow water, you’ll see coral and tropical fish,” says Leatherman.Tip: The beach earns bonus points in Leatherman’s rankings because smoking is prohibited.Located at the eastern edge of Panama City Beach, St. Andrews State Park combines miles of undeveloped shoreline with some of Florida's best shelling and bird-watching.getty2. St. Andrews State Park - Panama City, FloridaWhy It Made The List: Leatherman praises St. Andrews—a white sandy beach—for its shelling and bird watching. Plus, it offers a more natural alternative to the heavily developed Panama City Beach area nearby. “You feel like you've really got away from it all. And yet you’re not that far from a lot of hotels,“ he says. Tip: Take the ferry to Shell Island for an even more secluded beach experience.A boardwalk leads visitors through the dunes at Caladesi Island State Park, one of Florida's most celebrated Gulf Coast beaches.getty3. Caladesi Island State Park - Dunedin/Clearwater, FloridaWhy It Made The List: Returning to the top 10 after recovering from hurricane damage, Caladesi is one of Florida’s great Gulf Coast escapes. “The white beach is composed of crystalline quartz sand which is soft and cushy at the water’s edge, inviting one to take a dip in the sparkling clear waters,” says Leatherman.Tip: Don’t miss the kayak and canoe trails through the mangroves, where you can spot herons and other birds.Ranked No. 4 on Dr. Beach's 2026 list, Wailea Beach is known for its golden sand, clear water and a shoreline protected from overdevelopment.getty4. Wailea Beach - Maui, HawaiiWhy It Made The List: Wailea is actually a collection of five pocket beaches in Maui’s luxurious resort area. “It’s just an idyllic place,” says Leatherman. The hotels are set back far from the beach, with a beautifully landscaped park between the structures and the shoreline. And the white coral sand beach itself is stunning, gently sloping offshore—perfect for snorkeling when the ocean is calm.Tip: Public beach access is guaranteed, even in front of the resorts.The historic Main Beach pavilion overlooks one of the Hamptons' most celebrated stretches of sand. Dr. Beach ranked Main Beach No. 5 in the U.S. for 2026.getty5. Main Beach - East Hampton, New YorkWhy It Made The List: Set in the star-studded village of East Hampton, Main Beach feels wild. And yet, it offers what Leatherman calls “the perfect blend of nature and built environment,” combining tall dunes and clean blue water with amenities like food concessions and lifeguards. Another thing going for Main Beach: “It is warm enough to swim in the summer, particularly starting in July because it’s shielded from the Labrador Current,” says Leatherman.Tip: Main Beach added more parking in recent years, but Leatherman recommends bicycling here to avoid summer parking headaches.Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park is known for its brilliant white quartz sand, helping earn the Naples beach a spot on Dr. Beach's 2026 list.getty6. Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park - Naples, FloridaWhy It Made The List: This Gulf Coast barrier island beach is one of Florida’s most stunning stretches, thanks to the crystal quartz sand, which Leatherman says is even whiter than coral sand. It’s also huge and has tons to do, from swimming to shelling to fishing. Just one piece of advice: “Don’t bring your surfboard—there’s no surf there,” says Leatherman. Tip: Check out the surrounding area. “Naples is very classy place,” says Leatherman. “I really love Naples.”Beachwalker Park on Kiawah Island is one of the most scenic and unspoiled beaches on the South Carolina coast.getty7. Beachwalker Park - Kiawah Island, South CarolinaWhy It Made The List: Located south of Charleston, Beachwalker Park is a favorite with nature lovers. “Visitors can bring their canoes and kayaks to paddle through the tidal inlets,” says Leatherman. “It is also fun to walk or bicycle down the fine-grained sand beach to Captain Sam’s Inlet to see thousands of birds.”Tip: Bring binoculars if you’re into birding. “This is where I’ve seen the most birds of my life,” says Leatherman.Kaunaoa Beach—also known as Mauna Kea Beach—is a crescent of white coral sand and calm turquoise water on Hawaii Island’s rugged Kohala Coast.getty8. Kaunaoa Beach - The Island of HawaiiWhy It Made The List: Kaunaoa—aka Mauna Kea Beach—is a hidden jewel. “You drive there and you think, ‘Oh my gosh, there can’t be any beaches here since there are all these black lava flows,’” says Leatherman. And yet, you’ll find a stunning long beach with clear, turquoise water and white coral sand. Leatherman calls it “an oasis in a wasteland.”Tip: Visitor parking is limited, so arrive early or consider taking an Uber or Lyft.Lanikai Beach on Oahu is famous for its crystal-clear water and views of the twin Mokulua Islands just offshore.getty9. Lanikai Beach - Oahu, HawaiiWhy It Made The List: Though it’s a small beach in a residential neighborhood, Lanikai is “arguably the most beautiful beach in Hawaii,” says Leatherman. He raves about the perfectly clear, calm water and the two offshore islands, which make for a stunning backdrop.Tip: There’s been erosion on the western end of Lanikai, so check out the area around Mokumanu Drive.Miles of protected shoreline help make Cape Cod's Coast Guard Beach one of the best beaches in the U.S.getty10. Coast Guard Beach - Cape Cod, MassachusettsWhy It Made The List: Part of the Cape Cod National Seashore, Coast Guard Beach is known for its dramatic setting, where “the high cliffs meet the barrier beaches,” says Leatherman. One thing to note: Great White shark sightings have increased in recent years, so pay attention to warning flags and lifeguard guidance. “Always swim near a lifeguard so that you will be safe,” says Leatherman. Tip: Don’t miss the old Coast Guard station atop the bluff, where visitors can take in sweeping views of the Nauset Spit barrier system and the bay—it’s definitely a highlight that makes this one of the best beaches in the U.S.More From Forbes:ForbesThe Best Countries To Live In And Visit In 2026, According To U.S. News & World ReportBy Laura Begley BloomForbesThe 50 Best Beaches In The World For 2026, According To Global Travel ExpertsBy Laura Begley BloomForbesThe Best Airlines In America In 2026—Rated By JD PowerBy Laura Begley Bloom