Maui’s Hamoa Beach makes Dr. Beach List of top 10

Maui’s Hamoa Beach on the East end of the island was ranked ninth on the 20th annual survey of Top Beaches released by Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, also known as Dr. Beach.  The professor from Florida International University’s Laboratory for Coastal Research selected the beaches on the list based on various factors including water and sand quality, safety, and environmental management.

Hamoa Beach in East Maui ranked among top 10 in the nation. Photo by Wendy Osher.

The crescent shaped Hamoa Beach is located in a breached volcanic crater in East Maui, and features a mixture of coral and lava sand rimmed by cliffs and vegetation.  Also making the list was Waikiki’s Kahanamoku Beach on the island of Oahu that was ranked number six on this year’s list.  Topping the list was Coopers Beach on the east end of Long Island, New York.

Other top contenders were number 2, Siesta Beach in Sarasota, Florida; number 3, Coronado Beach in San Diego, California; number 4, Cape Hatteras in the Outer Banks of North Carolina; number 5, Main Beach in East Hampton, New York; number 7, Coast Guard Beach in Cape Cod, Massachusetts; number 8, Beachwalker Park in Kiawah Island, South Carolina; and number 10, Cape Florida State Park in Key Biscayne, Florida.