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CNN Live Today

Dr. Beach Names St. Joseph Peninsula State Park Top Beach

Aired May 24, 2002 - 12:40   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, ANCHOR: Ah, isn't that a great way to spend the weekend? Well, maybe you are lucky. Maybe you are heading to one of the favorite beaches of this country this weekend. We have got the nation's best sandy spots from Dr. Beach's Annual Top 10 List. Are you heading to one this weekend?

Topping the list is St. Joseph Peninsula State Park in Florida near Panama City. Rounding out the top five are Hanalei Beach in Hawaii; Kaanapali -- I know I didn't say that right -- Kaanapali in Hawaii; Fort DeSoto Park in Florida; and Caladesi Island State Park in Florida.

Rounding out the top ten, Ocracoke Island; Hamoa Beach, Hawaii; East Hampton Beach in New York State; Cape Florida State Park in Florida; and Hanauma Bay, Hawaii -- see how many times I'm been to Hawaii. Recently our John Zarrella took a stroll with Dr. Beach and spoke about his top ten.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: How does a beach make it to the top ten?

PROF. STEPHEN LEATHERMAN, BEACH EXPERT: First of all, people want to see a wide beach. They want to see nice soft sand, the whiter the better. They want to see a beautiful warm ocean water. Clear. They want the amenities, they want a natural environment and all of that together. Fifty criteria go into making a great beach.

ZARRELLA: They don't want to see seaweed. Unfortunately we got a lot of that today.

LEATHERMAN: Well, that's right. This is a rare day. It has washed in. We have been a little stormy here this time of year. This will be cleaned up. Any beach can have a bad day. We have to realize that.

ZARRELLA: Tell us about the number one beach.

LEATHERMAN: St. Joseph Peninsula State Park -- it is in the Florida panhandle. First time in six years a Florida beach has made it, but here you find the finest, whitest sand in the world, that famed panhandle sand. Emerald green water. You can see in it for 90 feet, crystal clear. ZARRELLA: Cape Florida is number nine. It's on the list this year.

LEATHERMAN: Right.

ZARRELLA: What was it about this particular spot that put it in the top ten?

LEATHERMAN: Well, this is in the Miami area. So you have all of the amenities but yet it is a world apart. You are out here on a beach park. It is very quiet. You have got all of the amenities you want, but peace and quiet, ample parking -- remember, my survey is for so many beaches, and this is really that -- the most popular beaches, I don't always raise the number one beaches.

Now South Beach, certainly the hottest beach in the country, one of my favorites, but won't be on the top ten list, because overdeveloped, too many people.

I have been to all of these beaches.

ZARRELLA: What a nice job you got!

LEATHERMAN: I have been to every beach in the United States. I visit over a hundred beaches every year, and all of the contenders for the national champion.

ZARRELLA: Boy, that is a tough life.

LEATHERMAN: Somebody's got do it, John, as you know.

ZARRELLA: Thanks for joining us. We appreciate it.

LEATHERMAN: My pleasure.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: No kidding. What a job! Dr. Beach, need an assistant? I can do that job!

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