Caladesi Island has best beach
CALADESI ISLAND, Fla. – Kaylee Sturm sat in the low surf, the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico lapping around her.
The University of Tampa senior had never been to this barrier island north of Clearwater, but she and her mom were immediately impressed.
“I like that it’s natural,” Sturm said, adding that she preferred it to other Gulf Coast beaches. “The water’s just more beautiful here.”
It’s an assessment that Stephen P. Leatherman would agree with.
Leatherman, a Florida International University professor dubbed Dr. Beach, picked Caladesi Island as the best beach in the 2008 ranking for his annual list.
The runners-up on Leatherman’s new list of best beaches are Hanalei Beach, Hawaii; Siesta Beach in Sarasota, Fla.; Coopers Beach in Southampton, N.Y.; Coronado Beach in San Diego; Main Beach in East Hampton, N.Y.; Hamoa Beach, Hawaii; Cape Hatteras, N.C.; Cape Florida State Park near Miami; and Beachwalker Park on Kiawah Island, S.C.
Caladesi’s somewhat remote location factored into its ranking.
“It’s an island getaway,” said Leatherman, who has released his annual list since 1991.
He noted that despite being in the densely populated Tampa Bay area, many nearby residents have never visited Caladesi.
Most beachgoers reach the island by a 15-minute, $9 ferry ride. Visitors – unless they bring their own boat – are limited to four-hour stays at the beach, which is a state park.
While more remote than the tourist mainstays of Clearwater or Miami, Caladesi still boasts showers, restrooms, kayak and beach chair rentals, and a snack bar where burgers and beer are available.
The waves are generally low on Caladesi, which Leatherman said adds to its family-friendly atmosphere. He uses 50 criteria – including quality tests on water, sand and amenities – to make his assessments.
“It’s not just about going out and kicking sand,” he says.
Caladesi, which ranked second in Leatherman’s rankings in 2007, will now be retired from the list.
Most years, he has chosen beaches in Florida or Hawaii as the top-ranked. He broke that trend last year by awarding the top spot to Ocracoke Island on North Carolina’s Outer Banks.
Leatherman compiles his list as part of the National Healthy Beaches Campaign, and this year plans a television special featuring the nation’s best beaches.