Many Americans are ready to pack up their suitcases and get out of town for some much-needed R&R after the pandemic halted nearly all travel plans in 2020.

With widely available vaccinations and decreased travel restrictions, summer vacation 2021 is looking up.

If you’re looking to spend time at the beach, you have quite a few options.

Dr. Stephen Leatherman, also known as Dr. Beach, has created a list of the best U.S. beaches for 2021.

The professor and director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Florida International University has been reviewing beaches across the country since 1991. Some of his criteria include sand softness, air temperature, water color and noise.

Last year’s winner was Grayton Beach State Park in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.

Here is 2021′s list of top 10 U.S. beaches, according to Dr. Beach:

1. Hapuna Beach State Park, Island of Hawaii

2. Coopers Beach, Southampton, New York

3. Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach, Outer Banks, North Carolina

4. St. George Island State Park, Franklin County, Florida Panhandle

5. Lighthouse Beach, Buxton, Outer Banks of North Carolina

6. Duke Kahanamoku Beach, Oahu, Hawaii

7. Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin/Clearwater, Florida

8. Coronado Beach, San Diego

9. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina

10. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts

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