Maui's Fleming Beach Selected as America's Best Beach
 AP
| | Fleming Beach Park, located in Maui, was one of three Hawaii beaches to make the Top 10 list by "Dr. Beach," Stephen Leatherman. (Stephen Leatherman/AP) |
Honolulu — Fleming Beach Park, a mile-long crescent white sand beach on Maui's western shore featuring spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and the rugged shores of Molokai Island, was named America's best beach Wednesday in an annual list.
International beach expert Stephen Leatherman, also known as "Dr. Beach," lauded Fleming for its year-round sunny weather, scenic views, pristine waters, and amenities such as showers, grills for barbecuing, snack bar, picnic facilities and ample parking.
"The west side of Maui always has beach weather. It's one of the sunniest places in the world, so it's hard to beat that," Leatherman said in a telephone interview. "What you call winter there everybody else calls a nice day."
Leatherman said visitors to Fleming, however, must use caution during the winter months when the surf and currents pick up.
"They have lifeguards there all the time, but if you're not a big-time swimmer and a big-time surfer, stay close to shore when the big waves are coming in," he said.
Fleming, in the posh resort town of Kapalua, was one of three Hawaii beaches to make the Top 10 list compiled by Leatherman, director of Florida International University's Laboratory for Coastal Research.
"If you could do a picture postcard of what people perceive Hawaii to be like, Fleming Beach is a prime example," said Marsha Wienert, Hawaii's tourism liaison and the former executive director of the Maui Visitors Bureau. "It's got everything that you could ask for, quite honestly."
Caladesi Island State Park in Florida was the runner-up to Fleming, followed by Ocracoke Island in North Carolina; Coopers Beach in New York; Kauai's Hanalei Beach; Main Beach in New York; Coast Guard Beach in Massachusetts, Coronado Beach in California; Maui's Hamoa Beach; and Barefoot Beach Park in Florida.
A Hawaii beach has claimed the top spot on Leatherman's list for the 11th time in the study's 16-year history, including nine in the past 11 years.
"Let's face it, Hawaii is our tropical paradise for America," he said. "It's where the mountains meet the sea. It's idyllic. The scenery there is fantastic."
Florida beaches earned the No. 1 spot for five years. California has yet to claim the top spot.
Leatherman said his national winners are retired from his list, so other great beaches will have a chance to share the limelight. He's not worried about running out of beaches.
"We have enough great beaches in America, we can give the praise around." |
Vallarta Weddings
Travel & Outdoors | June 2006 
Tell a Friend
Site Map
Print this Page
Email Us