Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach just outside Ocracoke Village in Cape Hatteras National Seashore has been named the number one beach in America by international beach expert Stephen Leatherman. Known as "Dr. Beach," he is the nation’s foremost authority on beach quality and ratings. He has gained international renown for his annual list of “Top Ten Beaches in America,” which he has released since 1991.
More than 650 beaches throughout the United States are judged on a list of 50 criteria under four main areas:
physical factors such as sand color and quality, and number and size of waves;
biological factors such as color and condition of the water;
presence of wildlife and pests; and
human use and impacts such as lifeguard protection, far-reaching views and traffic.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore stretches for more than 70 miles from south Nags Head to Ocracoke, and comprises 30,000 acres of natural, windswept beaches and maritime wilderness, along with historic American icons like the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Chicamacomico Historical Site, and the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum.
