(CNN) — A wild expanse on North Carolina’s Outer Banks has earned the highest spot on an annual checklist of America’s greatest seashores.

Ocracoke Island’s Lifeguarded Seashore is the No. 1 stretch of sand for 2022, in response to coastal scientist Stephen Leatherman, also called “Dr. Seashore.”

Leatherman, a professor and director of the Laboratory for Coastal Analysis at Florida Worldwide College, has been rating America’s greatest seashores since 1991.

He makes use of 50 standards to judge 650 public seashores within the US. The standards embody seashore width, sand softness, water temperature and colour, wildlife and extra.

Ocracoke is simply accessible through personal airplane or boat and ferry service, which accommodates vehicles and RVs.

A number of the nation’s wildest seashores are discovered right here, in response to Leatherman. He cautions that households with youngsters would possibly wish to go to earlier in the summertime as late summer time brings massive surf.

“Do not count on to play golf or keep on the Ritz; the principle pursuits are swimming and beachcombing in addition to exploring the historic village,” Leatherman mentioned within the seashore’s description on his annual checklist.

What NOT to pack? Golf golf equipment and excessive heels, Go to Ocracoke says. “That is an island, however it’s not a resort,” its web site says. Strolling to dinner in informal apparel — even for Ocracoke’s most upscale eateries — is inspired.

Beachfront lodging is restricted to at least one Nationwide Park Service campground, so most guests keep within the village a pair miles from the seashore.

Extra of the highest US seashores

A second Outer Banks seashore, Lighthouse Seashore in Buxton on Hatteras Island is No. 6 this 12 months. This seashore was the positioning of the previous spiral-striped Cape Hatteras Lighthouse till erosion prompted its transfer about 3,000 toes inland in 1999.

The No. 2 seashore for 2022 is Caladesi Island State Park in Dunedin/Clearwater, Florida, with its crystalline quartz sand and clear waters.
Coopers Seashore, backed by sand dunes and indulgent mansions in Southampton, New York, takes the No. 3 spot.

Seashores in California, South Carolina and Massachusetts seem within the second half of the rankings.

This is the total Prime 10 checklist:

Prime 10 seashores checklist for 2022

1. Ocracoke Lifeguarded Seashore, Outer Banks of North Carolina

2. Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin/Clearwater, Florida

3. Coopers Seashore, Southampton, New York

4. St. George Island State Park, Florida Panhandle

5. Duke Kahanamoku Seashore, Oahu, Hawaii

6. Lighthouse Seashore, Buxton, Outer Banks of North Carolina

7. Coronado Seashore, San Diego, California

8. Wailea Seashore, Maui, Hawaii

9. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina

10. Coast Guard Seashore, Cape Cod, Massachusetts

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