The Sunshine State is well represented in this year's list of the best beaches in the country, with three Florida seaside spots in the top ten in 2013.
Florida International University coastal research professor Steve Leatherman - AKA Dr. Beach - released his annual list Friday with Florida well represented.
Key Biscayne's Cape Florida State Park came in at No. 7 on the list, below the panhandle's St. George Island State Park (No.3) and Bonita Springs' Barefoot Beach (No. 6).
"Cape Florida State Park, located at the southern tip of Key Biscayne, provides clear, emerald-colored waters and gentle surf," Leatherman wrote. "This fine, white coral sand beach is great for swimming, as waves are knocked down by a large sand shoal offshore. In addition, the Cape Florida Lighthouse allows for a breath-taking view of this beautiful beach."
Main Beach at East Hampton in New York came in at No. 1 on the list. Leather said Main Beach took the top spot in 2013 despite the destruction wrought by Super Storm Sandy.
"This beach was heavily eroded by Super Storm Sandy and subsequent winter storms, yet it has largely recovered," he wrote. "The proud pavilion at Main Beach was little affected because it was set back several hundred feet from the water’s edge."
Leatherman evaluates the beaches each year based on 50 factors, including water temperature and color, noise and smell.
Photo Credit: floridastateparks.org