Florida International University Department of Earth & Environment professor Stephen Leatherman, better known as “Dr. Beach,” has been ranking the nation’s best beaches since 1991. Now the coastal scientist has come forward with his rankings for the best beaches of 2023, and the beach at the top of the list is in driving distance for Atlanta travelers.
Dr. Leatherman utilizes 50 different criteria to evaluate the hundreds of beaches that line the U.S. coastline, including sand softness, air temperature, wind speeds and scenic views. After crunching the data, Dr. Leatherman determined that Florida’s own St. George Island State Park is the single greatest U.S. beach for 2023.
“This long barrier island, far from urban areas, is a favorite destination for beachgoers, anglers and bird watchers as nature abounds,” Dr. Leatherman reported in his rankings. “Besides swimming in the crystal-clear water, I enjoy beachcombing and shelling. While St. George Island suffered a big hit in 2018 by Hurricane Michael, the area has substantially recovered, especially the sugary fine, white sand beach. There is much to explore at this serene 1,962-acre park.”
St. George Island State Park is roughly a six-hour drive from Atlanta, and the beach offers a number of fun activities, including stargazing, picnicking and camping.
Dr. Leatherman’s research into the country’s beaches had taken him on a number of adventures through the years, ultimately leading to the professor’s students calling him “Dr. Beach.”
“My research takes me to beaches around the country and to many parts of the world. During the past 20 years, my principal focus has been studying beach erosion and storm impacts,” he reported on his website. “But I also find myself helping to locate the best sandy beach for a solar-powered car race, dropping dye packets out of a helicopter so TV producers can film a killer rip current in action, deciphering 200 years of channel changes from old maps to find Revolutionary War artifacts, and helping billionaires select island properties to purchase or decide where best to build their mansion near the shore.”
About the Author
