2011's Best Beaches

10.     Isla Verde

Photo courtesy of Alan Dworkin

Isla Verde in Carolina, Puerto Rico is a popular beach with both tourists and locals.

9.      Main Beach

Photo courtesy of Lisa Dworkin

Main Beach in East Hampton, New York is one of the nicest beaches in the part of Long Island known as The Hamptons.

8.      Sandy Beach

Photo courtesy of Alan Dworkin

Sandy Beach in Rincon, Puerto Rico is the site of one of the best beach bars ever, Tamboo Beside the Pointe.

7.      Coopers Beach

Photo courtesy of Lisa Dworkin

Coopers Beach is in Southampton, New York. Of all the beaches I visited in The Hamptons, Coopers Beach is my favorite.

6.      Crane Beach

Photo courtesy of Lisa Dworkin

Crane Beach in Ipswich, Massachusetts is less than an hour from Boston, yet it’s a truly pristine beach with numerous amenities.

5.      Kiawah Beach

Photo courtesy of Lisa Dworkin

Kiawah Beachwalker Park  on Kiawah Island, South Carolina is a public beach adjacent to the exclusive Kiawah Resort allowing anyone to enjoy the same fantastic beach as resort owners and guests.

4.      Hampton Beach

Photo courtesy of Lisa Dworkin

Hampton Beach in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire is perhaps the best beach for the money that I’ve ever been to. The beach is free and there are numerous free activities during the summer season.

3.      Center Street Beach

Photo courtesy of Lisa Dworkin

Center Street Beach is in Folly Beach, South Carolina, a quintessential beach town. The beach is as much fun as the town.

2.      South Beach

Photo courtesy of LIsa Dworkin

South Beach in Miami Beach, Florida is one of those rare beaches that actually lives up to its hype.

1.     Jobos Beach

Photo courtesy of Alan Dworkin

Jobos Beach in Isabela, Puerto Rico is my number one beach in 2011. It’s remote (about 3 hours from San Juan), supports lots of water activities, is lined with bars and restaurants, and to top it all off, has its own blowhole.

To many joyful beach experiences!

— Lisa Dworkin