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Ocracoke Island, North Carolina
Ocracoke Island is accessible only by water or air, and is part of Hyde County. It is one of the barrier islands of the Outer Banks of North Carolina where the pirate Blackbeard is known to have once roamed. The Cape Hatteras National Seashore, with the Pamlico Sound on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other, its 16 miles of sun-swept wilderness beaches offer something for everyone.
Kailua Beach , Hawaii
Kailua Beach is
often rated as the "Best Beach in the World," is a generally wonderful place to enjoy swimming and beach recreational activities. It has a very nice, fine sandy beach. There are generally no significantly hazardous ocean or beach conditions.Kailua Beach is a world-class wind surfing destination for pros and amateurs alike. There are several shops in Kailua town which offer rental gear and that can arrange for lessons.
Caladesi Island State Park, Florida
This Florida state park has 3 miles of nature trail and 108-slip marina. Caladesi Island has something for everyone. Picnic pavilions, bathhouses, and a park concession all make the visit more comfortable. Fishing, shelling, and nature studies are all ways to enjoy a visit.
Hamoa Beach, Hawaii
Located just outside of Hana, this beautiful public beach shares some facilities with the Hotel Hana Maui. Sea cliffs surround the bay and the vegetation is lush. This beach has been voted one of Hawaii's favorite beaches. Offshore is the little coconut-topped island of Alau.
Cumberland Island, Georgia
Our final top ten beach is Cumberland Island. This island is 17.5 miles long and totals 36,415 acres of which 16,850 are marsh, mud flats, and tidal creeks. It is well known for its sea turtles, wild turkeys, wild horses, armadillos, abundant shore birds, dune fields, maritime forests, salt marshes, and historic structures. Visit Cumberland Island National Seashore for a natural experience: sun and sand, beautiful vistas and relaxing atmosphere.
Whitest Beaches in the United States
Siesta Key Beaches
Siesta Beach is located on Beach Road on Siesta Key. Siesta Beach is known as
one of the most beautiful beaches anywhere in the world. At the "Great
International White Sand Beach Challenge" held in 1987, it was recognized as
having the "whitest and finest sand in the world."
Unlike beaches elsewhere that are made up mostly of coral, Siesta Beach's sand
is 99% quartz. Even on the hottest days, the sand is so reflective that it feels
cool underfoot. It's estimated that the sand on Siesta Beach is millions of
years old, and started in the Appalachians and flowed down the rivers and was
eventually deposited on the shores of Siesta Key.
Honorable Mentions