For more than 21 years, Dr. Stephen Leatherman
("Dr. Beach") has reviewed, evaluated and rated beaches and coastal areas throughout the world.  In addition to his annual ranking of America's Best Beaches, he works tirelessly to increase awareness about the dangers of rip currents.
Top 10 Beaches 2011     |     Dr. Beach's 50 Beach Criteria     |     Your Beach Prescription     |     All About Beaches     |     About Dr. Beach
 
 
 
Photo:  Sarasota Convention & Visitors Bureau.
 

Siesta Beach is the number one beach in the 21st annual Top 10 Beach List, produced by coastal expert Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, Director of Florida International University’s Laboratory for Coastal Research.    Siesta Beach in Sarasota boasts that it has the finest and whitest sand in the world, and I cannot argue with this claim; the powdery sand is nearly pure quartz crystal.  The beautiful blue-colored water is clean and clear, making it so inviting to bathers and swimmers.  The beach is hundreds of yards wide, attracting volleyball players and beachcombers as well as those who just want to find their place in the sun.  Waves at Siesta Beach are normally measured in inches and the beach gradually slopes into the Gulf waters, making it a very safe area for children.    This beach park is complete with showers and bathrooms, snack bars, grills, picnic tables, shade trees, and a large parking area, which does fill up on summer weekends.  Siesta Beach is a smokeless beach, earning extra points for cleanliness and environmental management. My favorite time to visit is after Labor Day when things have calmed down, and the water is still warm enough for swimming until November.  Snowbirds from northern climes call this area home during the winter because of the great weather.  The beaches are for exploring, but not swimming at this time of year, albeit I have been in the water as early as March. (see the full list)
 
 
Here you will find some of the most spectacular coastal dunes in the world—I especially liked trekking up the huge dune on the north end of this expansive park.  There are a variety of beaches with fine to grainy sand and clean, clear water.  Children often play and look for Petoskey stones (beautiful pebbles of fossilized coral) in the small, shallow creeks that drain into Lake Michigan, where the water is warmer than the lake.  Traverse City is a great nearby town with many attractions.  
 
Photos:  Sleeping Bear Dunes Visitors Bureau.

Rip currents are powerful currents of water moving away from the shore, capable of sweeping even the strongest swimmers out to sea and are often called "killer currents" for a good reason.  Although estimates vary, rip currents are responsible for approximately 150 deaths every year in the US and likely thousands worldwide.  Through raising awareness and increasing understanding, we seek to dramatically reduce the number of fatalities from this lurking danger.
 
Dr. Beach's Water Tracer is a method of detecting surface water currents, especially life-threatening rip currents at surf beaches, has been developed.  The water tracer is biodegradable and non-toxic.