'Dr. Beach' says Fla.'s Caladesi Island is nation's best beach
ANTHONY McCARTNEY, Associated Press Writer
The University of Tampa senior has never been this barrier island north of Clearwater, but she and her mother were immediately impressed.
"I love that this is natural, Sturm said, adding that she preferred to other beaches on the Gulf Coast. "Water is more beautiful here."
It is an assessment that Stephen P. Leatherman agree with. Leatherman, a Florida International University professor nicknamed "Dr. Beach", Caladesi Island chosen as the best beach in the ranking of its 2008 annual list, which was published Thursday. Caladesi prevailed on the beaches of Hawaii, along the coast east and California for this year's honor.
This year's runners-Leatherman on the list of the most beautiful beaches have been Hanalei Beach, Hawaii; Siesta Beach in Sarasota, Florida; Coopers Beach in Southampton, NY; Coronado Beach in San Diego; Main Beach in East Hampton, NY; Hamoa Beach, Hawaii; Cape Hatteras, North Carolina; Cape Florida State Park, near Miami and Beachwalker Park on Kiawah Island, SC
Caladesi a short distance taken into account in the ranking Leatherman - and why Sturm and his mother, Cynde Jayden, were fascinated by it.
"It's an island getaway," said Leatherman, who has published its annual list since 1991. He noted that although in the densely populated Tampa Bay-area, close to many residents have never visited Caladesi.
Most beachgoers reach the island by a 15-minute ferry ride $ 9. Visitors - unless they bring their own boat - are limited to four hours stay at the beach, which is a national park.
Although most remote that the tourist pillars of Clearwater or Miami, Caladesi still has showers, restrooms, kayak and beach chair rentals and a snack bar where hamburgers and beer are available.
Caladesi's fine, white sand beach quartz owes its creation to 1921 a hurricane, which has separated the Honeymoon near the island. Caladesi has become a national park in 1968.
The waves are generally low on Caladesi, which adds Leatherman said his family friendly atmosphere. It uses 50 criteria - including testing of water quality, sand and services - to make its assessment.
"It is not only out and kicking sand," Leatherman said.
But for tourists.
Jayden, 52, spent a day last week trying to get a suntan before returning to his home near Pittsburgh. "I like that you can see forever," she said. "There is no world there."
Jake Wolf and Katie Pass, prospective students a dental school in the region of Kansas City, said they decided to devote part of their holidays because they were Caladesi it would be less crowded than other beaches of Gulf.
"The fact that you must take a ferry is different, a little exciting," said Pass, 25.
Caladesi, which occupies the second place in the rankings Leatherman in 2007, will now be removed from the list. Most years, he chose the beaches of Florida or Hawaii as the top-rank. He broke that trend last year by granting the first place to Ocracoke Island North Carolina Outer Banks.
Leatherman compile its list under the National Health Beaches campaign, and this year plans television special featuring the nation's most beautiful beaches, "he said.
Caladesi touts itself as "the real Florida," which is set on a path that runs through the center of the island. Palmetto brush, palm and pine trees grow sandy soil, osprey nests can be seen in the highest branches and lizards and other small animals dart through the foliage.
"It is really the idyllic environment," said Leatherman.
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On the Net:
Caladesi Island State Park: http://www.floridastateparks.org/CaladesiIsland/
Stephen Leatherman's beach rankings: http://www.drbeach.org
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Here are the winners going back to 1991 of Florida International University professor Stephen P. Leatherman's annual Best Beach award. Winners are retired from later lists.
2008 — Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin, Fla.
2007 — Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach, Outer Banks, N.C.
2006 — Fleming Beach Park, Maui, Hawaii
2005 — Fort DeSoto Park — North Beach, St. Petersburg, Fla.
2004 — Hanauma Bay, Oahu, Hawaii
2003 — Kaanapali, Maui, Hawaii
2002 — St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, Port St. Joe, Fla.
2001 — Poipu Beach Park, Kauai, Hawaii
2000 — Mauna Kea Beach, Hawaii
1999 — Wailea Beach, Maui, Hawaii
1998 — Kailua Beach Park, Oahu Hawaii
1997 — Hulopoe, Lanai, Hawaii
1996 — Lanikai Beach, Oahu, Hawaii
1995 — St. Andrews State Park, Panama City, Fla.
1994 — Grayton Beach State Park, Santa Rosa Beach, Fla.
1993 — Hapuna, Hawaii
1992 — Bahia Honda, Big Pine Key, Fla.
1991 — Kapalua Bay Beach, Maui, Hawaii
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Source: Stephen P. Leatherman, http://www.drbeach.org
