Hanalei Bay 'the Best in the US'

Sept. 29, 2010 - PRLog -- A sweeping arch of white sand, stretching over 3 kilometers, a kaleidoscopic collection of blue and turquoise water, all bathed under full Pacific sun. This is half moon shaped beach is the famous Hanalei Bay Beach in Hawaii, which has recently been declared the best beach in the United States of America.

Situated on the Island of Kauai in Hawaii this beach is topped the eagerly anticipated list of best beaches by 'Dr. Beach' Stephen Leatherman.

The Director of Florida International University's Laboratory for Coastal Research, Stephen Leatherman had previously ranked the beach at number two in his list declaring it his favorite beach in Hawaii but now this year it has topped his list.

Leatherman said that if he is ever to make it out to Hawaii, it is this beach that he is destined to. The professor uses the beach as his luxury retreat, 'If I want to get away from it all and forget about the rest of the world, Hanalei is about the best place to go, as far as I know.'

And it is not just the beach that attracts the doctor there is also the surrounding area, the land which Hanelei inhabits is quite staggering, to some a towering tropical paradise. 'The setting of the beach is fantastic, a truly idyllic getaway', Leatherman said about the Hanalei area.

This underdeveloped area means the beach retains a fairly relaxed atmosphere free of the hysteria of many beaches and giving you ample room for snorkeling and swimming. Of course this also leaves plenty of room and the beach for lazing under a full sunshine.

Though of course the beach is no secret held solely by Leatherman, there are many locals here and many tourist that return regularly, as to a favorite spot.

Surfers frequently flock here, to take in the sights as they float in the pastoral waters, the mountains hover above and the blue water glistens below them. The combination of the white washed sand and shimmering waters make this an indispensable location for all luxury seekers and those with a penchant for the ocean.

Though the beach retains a mostly quiet atmosphere, the beach is rather famous the world over, making its appearance in a few movies, and one of the most famous love scenes of all time. The beach was featured in the recent Ben Stiller movie Tropic Thunder but most famously in From Here to Eternity.

Many know the scene, the iconic kiss between Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr in Fred Zimmerman's 1953 classic. A controversial scene in its time, two scantily clad figures, recline on a black and white beach as tongues of waves caress over them. The beach is the Hanalei, as much a star of the scene as the Hollywood actors.

Now the area remains unspoiled and the home to many Hawaii rentals bringing in tourists from around the world every year.

Among the other beaches in the list are:
Siesta Beach, Sarasota, Florida
Coopers Beach, Southampton, New York
Coronado Beach, San Diego, California
Hamoa Beach, Maui, Hawaii
Main Beach, East Hampton, New York
Cape Hatteras, Outer Banks, North Carolina
Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne, Florida
Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina

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