Cape Cod's Coast Guard Beach Makes List Of Top 10 Beaches

EASTHAM (CBS) -- One of the best beaches in the country is just a drive away for most in the Boston area, according to the latest ranking.

Dr. Beach's annual list of the Top 10 beaches has Coast Guard Beach on Cape Cod at No. 6. Last year, it came in fifth.

"The picturesque old Coast Guard station still sits atop the glacial bluffs, allowing for a spectacular view down upon the Nauset Spit barrier system and bay," writes professor Stephen Leatherman, also known as Dr. Beach. "During the summer, beach-goers take quick, refreshing dips in the ocean as water temperatures only reach 60-70 degrees."

Leatherman, who is director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Florida International University, uses about 50 criteria to assess and rank beaches across the country. In recent years, he has given extra points to beaches that prohibit smoking, saying cigarette butts are not only environmentally damaging, but can ruin the experience for beach-goers. Safety and environmental management are other major factors, he said.

He's rated beaches since 1991.

Coming in first is Florida's Siesta Beach, with its "outstanding" sand made of pure crushed quartz.

The Top 10 List:

1. Siesta Beach, Siesta Key, Florida
2. Kapalua Bay Beach, Maui, Hawaii
3. Ocracoke Beach, Outer Banks, North Carolina
4. Grayton Beach State Park, Florida Panhandle
5. Coopers Beach, Southampton, New York
6. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
7. Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin/Clearwater, Florida
8. Hapuna Beach State Park, Big Island, Hawaii
9. Coronado Beach, San Diego, California
10. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina.

(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)