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Best Beach in the USA - According to Dr. Beach

Hanalei Bay Beach takes the number one spot in the 19th annual Top 10 Beaches ranking produced by coastal expert Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, Director of Florida International Universitys Laboratory for Coastal Research. Hanalei Bay is a spectacular white crescent-shaped sand beach that is considered by many residents and visitors alike to be the most beautiful beach setting in Hawaii. The two-mile long strand is lined by palm trees with a backdrop of waterfalls and mountain peaks that range up to 4,000 feet high. One of the best views of the beach is from the Princeville Hotel, located on the high bluff to the east. The other end of this wide coral sand beach is anchored by a high lava point that extends into the ocean.

Tamarindo, Costa Rica - Best Surfing

All it took was the popular surfing film, The Endless Summer 2, to feature Tamarindo's awesome waves and most perfect weather, and surfers and tourists alike were waiting standby to get here. Now Tamarindo is a Central American hotspot with world-class resorts and top shelf service. None of that took away from natures' exclusive surf destination.
It's a boomtown! Tamarindo has a mix of mostly small hotels with a variety of price ranges to the larger players slowly moving in. There doesn't appear to be much rhyme or reason, with some strip malls just totally out of place.
Tamarindo, Costa Rica - Best Surfing Weather BeachBreaks like Little Hawaii and Witches Rock are legends thanks to consistently huge waves and picture-perfect weather. There are waves for everyone here - longboarders and shortboarders - just ask the locals what are your best options.
Tamarindo is a long beach, but remember if your friends come to watch and swim, it can get a little rough. And, be careful where you swim - rocks are just offshore, barely below the surface. Of course, this is what makes it ideal for surfing! But if you're bodysurfing, take note - you could get hurt.
Swimming near the mouth of the estuary is a little dangerous at times because of the strong currents. Try to do your swimming down at the southern end, near Punta Langosta.
Easy to get to, Tamarindo, Costa Rica is a top tourist destination as well, with the winter months (October through March) being the peak weeks. Don't get discouraged. Here wave action is "totally awesome" from April through July.
Tamarindo, Costa Rica - Best Surfing Weather BeachThe biggest waves you'll ride can get up to 9 feet. Tamarindo is a great place to use as home base as you explore many of the breaks to the north and south. There are several breaks in town including Rivermouth and Langosta, but the real attraction is that you're centrally located between world famous Playa Negra (south) and Witches Rock (north).
Tamarindo, Costa Rica - Best Surfing Weather BeachSo logistically, Tamarindo offers the easiest place to explore the most surf in the shortest amount of time. And Tamarindo is big on nightlife.
Tamarindo is connected by paved road all the way from San Jose (4 1/2 hours) or by shuttle plane (no boards over 7 ft). If you come without a board, don't fret. Local surf shops will rent everything - even snorkeling equipment, boogie boards, sea kayaks, and surfboards. They have half-day and hourly rates for most of these items.
Want want to learn to surf? Tamarindo Surf School - 653.0923, or Witch's Rock Surf Camp - 653.1262.
We rate the surf destinations on best waves, ease of access, weather and enjoyment. Sure, there are more surf locations across the globe, but some are not easy to reach, or are always under the weather.

Anse Source d'Argent, Seychelles

If you're looking for a beach similar to those found in travel magazines and catalogues, then Anse Source d'Argent should be at the top of your list. Located in the island of La Digue at Seychelles, Anse Source d'Argent is one of the most frequently photographed beaches worldwide, and is commonly featured in travel books and TV shows. With soft pink sand and unique boulders of granite, it's no wonder why Anse Source d'Argent has been considered several times as one of the best beaches in the world.
Traveling to La Digue is an adventure on its own. No visa is required, but one needs a passport and a return ticket to be able to enter. You first have to look for an international flight to the Seychelles International Airport in Mahe island, which is the closest airport to La Digue. These flights typically come from Asian or European cities, such as Bangkok, Rome, London, Paris or Munich, and last anywhere from 9 to 12 hours. From the airport, you can opt to take a small plane or helicopter to La Digue. You can also take a boat to La Passe, and ride either a bicycle or an old-fashioned ox cart to the beach. Visitors older than 12 years entering the beach are required to pay a small fee of $40.
Anse Source d'Argent is the ideal beach for people who want to get away from everything, having no nightclubs, large casinos or activity centers in the area. Accommodations, such as La Digue Island Lodge and Choppy's Beach Bungalows, are within walking distance from the beach. For more economical choices, one can opt to rent out one of the many comfortable apartments or cozy family guesthouses in the area. Restaurants serving Creole dishes, such as Pecheur Restaurant and Restaurant Patatron, can typically be found in or near the hotels. Do sample the local breadfruit and Seybrew, the local lager, for a complete Seychelles dining experience.
Even with limited facilities at Anse Source d'Argent, you will never run out of things to do. The stunning reef calms the sea, making the beach a safe swimming spot, even for children. The reef, together with the natural sea life in the area, is a spectacular sight for those who wish to snorkel or dive in the Seychelles waters.
Once you pull yourself away from the grandeur of the beach, you can also visit some popular attractions in the main island. Check out the Veuve Reserve, which is the home of the endangered black paradise flycatcher. L'Union Estate, an old coconut plantation and is presently run as a kind of theme park, has its own graveyard and is home for giant tortoises. For the best views on the island, hike up to Nid d'Aigle, the tallest peak in the entire island, which stands over 300 meters. You can also go island-hopping and visit the nearby islands via a helicopter or a ferry boat. The two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Seychelles, the Vallee de Mai Nature Reserve and Aldabra Atoll, are also must-sees.
Once believed to be the location of the Garden of Eden, La Digue is definitely a place filled with undeveloped beauty and natural splendor that you shouldn't miss. Although getting there can take some time and a lot of energy, the trip to the famed Anse Source d'Argent is definitely worth it.

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