USAToday this week published a list of the top beaches in the United States. It’s a good list, but they missed some great spots and overvalued some others. Here’s a rundown of their top 17, with my thoughts on places I’ve visited.
Siesta Key, Florida: A fine, white sand beach that stretches on nearly forever.
Maui,. Hawaii: Why they lumped all of Maui’s beaches into one entry is bizarre. That really diminishes the island’s offerings, as if they’d been listed individually you would probably see three or more Maui beaches in the top 15. Given you’re talking about the entire state, it’s silly to put Maui behind a single beach in any one state.
Anna Maria Island, Florida: A worthy spot I just love. I might rank it higher than Siesta Key, just because it’s a bit more funky. But I wouldn’t argue the point.
Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii: See above note on Maui. It’s silly not to put Waikiki or Lanikai on a separate list. Both would easily make the top 15 in almost any objective list.
Siesta Key Beach, Sarasota, Florida. Jim Byers Photo
Kauai, Hawaii: Same here. Hanalei Bay, Poipu and others (I’d say Anini, Tunnels, Anahola and Ke’e Beach) all deserve to be judged on their own and not lumped into a Kauai section.
Sanibel Island, Florida: Terrific beach in southwest Florida, with fabulous seashells
Gulf Shores, Alabama: Don’t know it.
Destin, Florida: Only visited briefly years ago, but the Florida panhandle beaches have amazing, soft, white sand.
Clearwater Beach, Florida: Great beach with terrific sunsets. Caladesi Island, just north of Clearwater, is much more quiet.
Malibu, California: A lovely spot in Los Angeles County that’s famous for its surfing.
Outer Banks, North Carolina: Haven’t had the pleasure, but hear great things.
Laguna Beach, California: A stunning spot in Orange County.
Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur, California: Great, lesser-known choice in Northern California. Truly spectacular.` `
Coronado Beach, California: I prefer La Jolla cove’s natural beauty, but to Coronado (in San Diego), but it’s a fine choice.
Key West, Florida: Key West is one of my fave places in North America, and there are great sunsets and water views. I think there are better beach choices in Florida, but it’s a wonderful town, and I think Jimmy Buffett would approve.
Assateague Island, Maryland and Virginia: Haven’t been, but I hear the wild horses are quite something.
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California: Not the best for swimming, but one of the most beautiful beaches in the state. Should be ranked higher.
Carmel Beach, California. Jim Byers Photo
For those of you keeping score at home, Florida has two spots in the USAToday top five, five in the top 10 and six in the top 17. Hawaii (despite the silly USAToday format) has three beaches in the top five. California has five spots in the top 17.
These lists are often based on places readers know the best, so I can see why some make the list and others don’t. Florida has fine beaches, but they’re generally flat and have no rocky headlands or cliffs nearby to offset their beauty. California and Hawaii have plenty of both. But Florida beaches are a lot warmer than California, so there’s that. Anyhow, it’s all fun to kick round.
Those issues aside, here are some of the places USAToday readers didn’t include in their list, but deserve your attention.
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
Capitola Beach, California
Cannon Beach, Oregon
Napili Beach, Maui
Kapalua Bay Beach on Maui. JIM BYERS PHOTO
Ka’anapali Beach, Maui
Polo Beach, Maui
Kapalua Beach, Maui
Ahini Beach, Kaua’i
Ke’e Beach, Kaua’i
Waikiki Beach, O’ahu
Hulopo’e Beach, Lana’i
Lanikai Beach, O’ahu
SPEAKING OF BEACHES: A JAMAICA TOURISM UPDATE
I’m a big fan of Jamaica. There was definitely some damage last fall when Hurricane Melissa hit the western end of the island, but the situation has vastly improved. Here’s a story from my friend Pauline Frommer on how things look in Jamaica these days.
“We have made a remarkable recovery following Hurricane Melissa,” Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett told Frommer.
“Six weeks after (the storm), we were able to invite international visitors back to Jamaica, and we opened with 70% of our room stock. And since then, we are now at 80% of our visitor arrivals for last year in the month of March.
“And we are looking to complete the renovation of all the rooms that were affected by December of this year.”
Good news, indeed.
TOUGH TIMES FOR U.S. TOURISM
The United States remained the largest travel & tourism market in the world in 2025 but is losing market share, says a report from the World Travel & Tourism Council.
While 2025 saw the best year ever for the travel & tourism sector in terms of GDP growth of 4.1%, North American GDP growth in the sector was just 1.0%, and in the U.S. just 0.9%.
Eighty million more people travelled internationally in 2025 compared with the year before yet they chose other destinations. The report said U.S. visitor numbers last year dropped 5.5% compared to 2024 figures.
You seldom hear U.S. politicians sounding the alarm on this issue. But they should. Travel and tourism make up 10% of jobs around the world, which makes it a very important part of any country’s economic engine.
CARNEY GOVERNMENT COMMITS $15 MILLION TO BOOST CANADIAN BIZ EVENTS
Vancouver, B.C. JIM BYERS PHOTO
The federal government today announced $15 million over three years to help bring major business events, including conventions, to Canada.
“Canada has what the world is looking for: vibrant cities, top-tier venues and the capacity to host major international business events. These events bring high-value visitors to Canada who spend locally, support small businesses, fill hotel rooms and restaurants, and create jobs in communities across the country,” the government said.
“By attracting more global conferences and conventions, Canada is turning its tourism advantage into year-round economic growth.”
It’s nice, but it doesn’t seem like a lot of money to me.
