Nature & Environment

Dive To The Waters Of America's Best Beaches This Summer, Hawaii's Hanauma Bay Tops The List

Elaine Hannah
First Posted: May 28, 2016 06:30 AM EDT

Coastal scientist Stephen Leatherman also known as Dr. Beach, who studies beaches around the country, has chosen Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve in Oahu, Hawaii as the top beach among other beaches in the country. It features a picturesque nature reserve with gin-clear, turquoise water and ample sea life.

Dr. Beach has used about 50 criteria to evaluate and rank the beaches in the U.S. He explained that Hanauma Bay is so safe and easy. He added that a lot of times if you want to see those kinds of fish you have got to go offshore, you've got to go take a boat ride somewhere. Leatherman said that in Hanauma Bay you will see so many fish swimming around your feet, according to Daily Mail.

Hanauma Bay is a marine embayment that is shaped within a tuff ring. It became a marine life conservation area and underwater park in 1967. It is one of the most well-known tourist destinations in America. The word "Hana" is the Hawaiian language that means bay. The "Uma" has two meanings. It implies a curve in Hawaii and the other one is an indigenous hand-wrestling game known as "Uma."

Hanauma Bay is one of the most pristine beaches and is very popular for snorkeling. You will see many coral reefs that are teeming with stunning and colorful fish.

According to LA Times, the beach has 3,000 visitors every day. On the other hand, it closes every Tuesday to feed the fish without having the interruption. The law prohibits any mistreatment in the bay. The visitors are also not allowed to touch or walk on the coral reefs.

The top 10 beaches of America this summer are the following. Dive on!

1. Hanauma Bay, Oahu, Hawaii

2. Siesta Beach, Sarasota, Florida


3. Kapalua Bay Beach, Maui, Hawaii

4. Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach, North Carolina

5. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts


6. Grayton Beach State Park, Florida

7. Coronado Beach, San Diego, California

8. Coopers Beach, Southampton, New York


9. Caladesi Island State Park, Florida

10. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina

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