Best Beaches in the U.S.A.: Hawaii Gets 3 Spots, Florida 2 + Porter Airlines Launching Toronto-Phoenix

There are some new spots on the Dr. Beach list of top beaches in the United States and Hawaii takes three of the top seven places.

Dr. Stephen Leatherman, who calls himself “Doctor Beach,” has put out his ranking of top beaches for 2024. And there’s a new King, or rather Duke, at the top.

For 2024, Leatherman puts Duke Kahanamoku Beach on the Hawaiian island of O’ahu in the top spot. Wailea Beach on Maui (I was there last fall) was third, and Po’ipu Beach on Kaua’i (a long-time fave of mine) came in at number seven.

I’m also happy to see the list includes Caladesi Island in Dunedin/Clearwater, Florida on the list, as well as Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park in Naples, Florida. Coronado Beach in San Diego, California also appears in the top 10.

Here’s his ten best for the year, along with some of his thoughts.

Wailea Beach, Maui, Hawaii. JIM BYERS PHOTO

1. Duke Kahanamoku Beach, Honolulu, O’ahu, Hawai’i. Kahanamoku Beach is located on the west end of Waikiki Beach, far from the large crowds elsewhere. It is the widest beach on this world-famous stretch of sand and protected by an offshore coral reef, making it a good beach for families with children. (I’ve loved Waikiki for decades, and this is a great section. It can be busy, but the water’s great and the views to die for.)
2. Coopers Beach, Southampton, New York. Coopers Beach is located on the south shore of Long Island, New York, shielded from the cold Labrador currents in the beautiful village of Southampton.
3. Wailea Beach, Maui, Hawai’i. The white coral sand beach gently slopes offshore and is great for snorkeling when the ocean is calm. The swanky hotels are set back far from the beach, providing a beautiful-landscaped park, adorned with tropical vegetation and flowering bushes and trees. (I had a fab visit at the Wailea Beach Resort by Marriott last fall.)
4. Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin/Clearwater, Florida. Caladesi is reached by pedestrian ferry boat, private boats or a long walk north from Clearwater Beach; the inlet is closed so Caladesi is no longer a true island, but still a great getaway. 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. (You’re also a few minutes from the delightful city of Dunedin, perhaps my fave town in Florida.)
5. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina. This is a nature-lovers coast so visitors can bring their canoes and kayaks to paddle through the tidal inlets. It is also fun to walk or bicycle down the fine-grained sand beach to Captain Sam’s Inlet to see thousands of birds.
6. Main Beach, East Hampton, New York. Main Beach is a great place for star-spotting as many actors and actresses frequently visit this beach for its peaceful, countryside setting in a small village.  The big, wide sandy beach composed of grainy quartz grains has towering sand dunes and beautiful clean and clear blue water.  
7. Po’ipu Beach, Kaua’i, Hawai’i. Located on the sunny, dry side of this island is Poipu Beach, which is actually two beaches in one. The offshore island knocks down the big waves, so that small waves break gently on the shallow sandbar, creating a fun area for children to play. 
8. Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, Naples, Florida. This barrier island beach boasts of beautiful white sand beaches and crystal-clear Gulf waters.  Activities include swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, shelling, and fishing.
9. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The sand is fairly coarse so the beach slopes steeply into the water. The picturesque old Coast Guard station still sits atop the glacial bluffs, allowing for a spectacular view down upon the Nauset Spit barrier system and bay.
10. Coronado Beach, San Diego, California. Coronado Beach is the toast of Southern California with its unique Mediterranean climate and fine sparkling sands which contain mica. The local landmark Hotel del Coronado was built over a hundred years ago; kings, sheiks, actors, and actresses have stayed at this iconic beachfront hotel. 

PORTER AIRLINES ADDING TORONTO-PHOENIX FLIGHTS THIS FALL

Scottsdale and Phoenix are two of the top cities in America for hikers. JIM BYERS PHOTO

Porter Airlines is announcing new daily, round-trip service between Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), beginning on October 3, 2024.

The new route marks Porter’s first arrival in Arizona, providing a direct link between Canada’s largest city and the Valley of the Sun. Phoenix is a favourite Canadian getaway, featuring the desert’s outdoor wonders, world famous resorts, and extensive food and arts scenes.

I’m also a big fan of Scottsdale, home to fabulous restaurants and remarkable hotels, including Hotel Valley Ho, Mountain Shadows, the Sanctuary Camelback, the Hyatt Regency, and The Four Seasons.

The route is served by the state-of-the-art Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, providing passengers with an unparalleled experience. Passengers can enjoy Porter’s elevated economy service with no middle seats, complimentary wine and beer served in glassware, free premium snacks, and free, fast WiFi. 

Connections are also available to and from Montréal, Ottawa and Halifax through Porter’s hub at Toronto-Pearson. 

“This Toronto-Phoenix route connects two vibrant centres in North America, and gives passengers the opportunity to enjoy Porter’s unmatched economy experience on the route,” said Porter president Kevin Jackson. “Phoenix is another exciting step in our growth and the latest proof of our commitment to making flying better across the continent.”