Two Florida strands qualify as ``Best Beaches''

College spring-breakers might be the real experts on the world's best beaches, but officially speaking, FIU professor Dr. Stephen Leatherman gets the title of Dr. Beach. His evaluations are a bit more scientific than that of your typical college reveler, factoring in 50 criteria, including sand quality, safety, and environmental management.

Just released is his 2009 list of Best U.S. Beaches. (It's worth noting that first-place winners from previous years are excluded.) This year's honors go to:

1. Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Hawaii

2. Siesta Beach, Sarasota

3. Coopers Beach, Southampton, N.Y.

4. Coronado Beach, San Diego

5. Hamoa Beach, Maui, Hawaii

6. Main Beach, East Hampton, N.Y.

7. Cape Hatteras, Outer Banks, N.C.

8. Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne

9. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Mass.

10. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, S.C.

-- JANE WOOLDRIDGE

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