Dr. Beach, a professor at Florida International University, has identified a 2-mile strip of palm-fringed sand in Hawaii as the best U.S. beach. Stephen Leatherman, director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research, put Hanalei Bay in Kauai at the top of his 2009 Top 10 list.

By Anthony McCartney Associated Press CALADESI ISLAND, Fla. -- Kaylee Sturm sat in the low surf, the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico lapping around her. The University of Tampa senior had never been to this barrier island north of Clearwater, but she and her mom were immediately impressed.

It didn't make No. 1 like its southern counterpart did last year, but Cape Hatteras made Dr. Beach's Top 10 list for 2008. It was ranked No. 8.

By Carlos Moncada, Tampa Tribune, Fla. May 23--DUNEDIN -- No. 2 for the past couple of years, Caladesi Island has finally made it to the top of Dr. Beach's list of America's best beaches.

By Carlos Moncada, Tampa Tribune, Fla. May 22--DUNEDIN -- Just in time for the Memorial Day weekend, Caladesi Island has claimed the top spot on an annual list of the nation's Top 10 beaches.