Key Biscayne Beach Named One of America's Top Ten Beaches

By Kyle Munzenrieder Fri., May 27 2011 at 3:54 PM

Categories: Survey Says

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Sure, saying you're taking your talents to Cape Florida State Park Beach doesn't have much of a ring to it, but the stretch of sand on Key Biscayne is apparently the best Miami-Dade has to offer, and one of the best in the country. The annual list put out by Stephen Leatherman, director of Florida International University's Laboratory for Coastal Research, who is better known as "Dr. Beach," however anoints another Florida beach as the best in the country.

The Dr. Beach list is in its 21st year, and Leatherman travels the country grading beaches on as strict criteria. Criteria like sand softness, weather and waves are taking into account, as our things like safety, noise and nearby development. You can check the full check list here.

Cape Florida State Park Beach makes frequent appearances in the top ten, so it's not much of a surprise.

"Cape Florida State Park, located at the south tip of Key Biscayne, provides clear, emerald-colored waters and gentle surf," Leatherman writes of the beach. "This fine, white coral sand beach is great for swimming, as waves are knocked down by a large sand shoal offshore. In addition, the Cape Florida Lighthouse allows for a breath-taking view of this beautiful beach."

Siesta Beach in Sarasota, Fl, however, takes top spots as America's best beach. Here's the full top ten:

Siesta Beach, Sarasota, Fla.

Coronado Beach, San Diego, Calif.

Kahanamoku Beach, Waikiki, Hawaii

Main Beach, East Hampton, N.Y.

Cape Hatteras, Outer Banks, N.C.

St. George Island State Park, Fla.

Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, S.C.

Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Mass.

Waimanalo Bay State Park, Oahu, Hawaii

Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne, Fla.

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