Long Island beats Florida for top spot

Long Island beats Florida for top spot as

Dr Beach reveals his best American sands

By Jo Tweedy

The beauty of the Hamptons is well documented - everyone from the cast of Sex and the City to JFK and F. Scott Fitzgerald's Gatsby - has adored them. 

But would you put the the New York State destination above Florida, California and Hawaii when it comes to beaches? Well, the man who knows plenty about America's best coastal resorts has done just that.

Good enough for Gatsby: Main Beach in East Hampton, Long Island is loved by famous faces

Dr Beach: Dr Leatherman uses 50 different criteria to pick the best beach in the US

Dr Beach, aka Dr Stephen Leatherman, has released his annual list of the best beaches in the US and Main Beach in East Hampton has topped the list. 

The environmental scientist called the beach 'idyllic' saying that it was so highly regarded by the rich and famous that he'd "...seen even supermodels picking up litter washed ashore from the sea." 

"This beach was heavily eroded by Super Storm Sandy and subsequent winter storms, yet it has largely recovered. The proud pavilion at Main Beach was little affected because it was set back several hundred feet from the water’s edge. A great team of lifeguards stands watch, making this a very safe beach for bathing and swimming."

There is more to Dr Beach's final decision than just soft sands and lapping waves. The Dr uses a long list of criteria to decide on the winning beaches including areas such as water and sand quality and safety and environmental management.

A surfing nirvana: Kahanamoku Beach in Hawaii came second in the list

Kahanamoku Beach Waikiki in Oahu, Hawaii came second, followed by the nature reserve St George Island State Park in Florida. Both Hawaii and Florida fared well with three beaches each in the top ten.

Last year's winner, Coronado Beach in San Diego failed to make the grade in 2013. In fact, not a single Californian beach featured on the list.

America's best beaches according to Dr Beach

1.    Main Beach East Hampton, New York

2.    Kahanamoku Beach Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii

3.    St. George Island State Park Florida panhandle

4.    Hamoa Beach, Maui, Hawaii

5.    Waimanalo Bay Beach Park Oahu, Hawaii

6.    Barefoot Beach Bonita Springs, Florida

7.    Cape Florida State Park Key Biscayne, Florida

8.    Cape Hatteras, Outer Banks of North Carolina

9.    Coast Guard Beach Cape Cod, Massachusetts

10.    Beachwalker Park Kiawah Island, South Carolina