And The Best Beach In The U.S. Is...

Suzy Strutner
(Photo: Pola Damonte via Getty Images via Getty Images)
(Photo: Pola Damonte via Getty Images via Getty Images)

Siesta Beach in Sarasota, Florida is the best beach in the country right now, according to the prestigious annual rankings from “Dr. Beach.”

Every year, Florida International University professor Stephen P. Leatherman, aka Dr. Beach, ranks U.S. coastlines on 50 criteria including water temperature, sand quality and upkeep of the natural environment. Siesta Beach is the only one to top his rankings twice in their 26-year history: It previously won the honor in 2015.

Siesta Beach beat out shorelines in Hawaii, California and elsewhere with its fine, white sand and a recent $21 million makeover that resulted in more picnic areas, more parking spaces and a new playground.

And of course, the water here looks gorgeous at any time of day:

A post shared by Neil Coulson (@neil_coulson) on

A post shared by Dan King (@dannyk6) on

A post shared by Dan King (@dannyk6) on

Here are the top 10 beaches for 2017, according to Dr. Beach:

Coronado Beach, California

Hapuna Beach State Park, Hawaii

Caladesi Island State Park, Florida

Kapalua Bay Beach, Hawaii

Siesta Beach, Florida

Also on HuffPost

Lazy Beach, Koh Rong Samloem, Cambodia

<a href="http://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/top-10/top-beaches-world/" target="_blank">Things are simpler</a>&nbsp;on Lazy Beach, where porch swings&nbsp;and quaint huts&nbsp;await. Get there fast,&nbsp;before other travelers&nbsp;discover the magic too.

Playa del Amor, Marietas Islands, Mexico

This <a href="http://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/top-10/top-beaches-world/" target="_blank">hidden paradise</a>&nbsp;is&nbsp;actually a <a href="http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/hidden-beach-2" target="_blank">giant hole</a>&nbsp;in Mexico's verdant <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g150793-d2528226-Reviews-Marietas_Islands-Puerto_Vallarta.html" target="_blank">Marietas Islands</a>,&nbsp;off the coast of Puerto Vallarta.

Shell Beach, Shark Bay, Western Australia

This <a href="http://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/top-10/top-beaches-world/" target="_blank">UNESCO world heritage site</a>&nbsp;is a wonderland of tiny shells, which&nbsp;reach about <a href="http://www.australiascoralcoast.com/attractions-events/natural-wonders-of-the-coral-coast/shell-beach" target="_blank">32 feet deep</a> in some spots.

Piscinas Beach, Arbus, Sardinia

<a href="http://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/top-10/top-beaches-world/" target="_blank">Nat Geo&nbsp;recommends</a>&nbsp;these dunes on <a href="http://www.fodors.com/world/europe/italy/sardinia" target="_blank">the Mediterranean's&nbsp;most magical island</a>&nbsp;as an excellent spot for beach walks. The sunsets aren't too shabby, either.

Cas Abao Beach, Curaçao

Don't spend all your time in the <a href="http://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/top-10/top-beaches-world/" target="_blank">teeming coral reefs</a>, spectacular as they are: The&nbsp;<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/hoppercom/6-smaller-but-perfect-car_b_7942840.html">small but perfect</a>&nbsp;island of Cura&ccedil;ao has some wonders up on land, too.

Reynisfjara Beach, Iceland

<a href="http://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/top-10/top-beaches-world/" target="_blank">Black sand</a>&nbsp;and towering <a href="https://www.nature.nps.gov/geology/usgsnps/sea/gseastack.html" target="_blank">sea stacks</a>&nbsp;are just two more mind-boggling features of&nbsp;this spot in&nbsp;one of the most <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/10/visit-iceland_n_5267288.html">stunning countries on Earth</a>.

Noordwijk Beach, The Netherlands

Nat Geo hails this <a href="http://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/top-10/top-beaches-world/" target="_blank">dog-friendly beach</a>, which is just a <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Noordwijk,+Netherlands/amsterdam/@52.2950087,4.4070324,10z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x47c5ea63aa902a2f:0x702f6686f8afb9ce!2m2!1d4.4500094!2d52.2399885!1m5!1m1!1s0x47c63fb5949a7755:0x6600fd4cb7c0af8d!2m2!1d4.8951679!2d52.3702157" target="_blank">quick day trip</a> from <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/college-tourist/8-gorgeous-day-trips-from_b_8186630.html">Amsterdam</a>. Paw-fect!

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.