Three Florida Beaches Make Top 10 from 'Dr. Beach'

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The Cape Florida lighthouse is shown at sunset at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, which was listed at No. 7 on "Dr. Beach's" best 10 beaches in America. (LYNNE SLADKY | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Three Florida beaches are named among the best 10 in America as ranked by the renowned "Dr. Beach," Dr. Stephen Leatherman.

Dr. Beach's "Top 10" beaches for 2013: 1. Main Beach, East Hampton, N.Y. 2. Kahanamoku Beach, Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii 3. St. George Island State Park, Franklin County, northwest Florida 4. Hamoa Beach, Maui, Hawaii 5. Waimanalo Bay Beach Park, Oahu, Hawaii 6. Barefoot Beach Preserve County Park, Bonita Springs, southwest Florida 7. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne, southeast Florida 8. Cape Hatteras, Outer Banks, N.C. 9. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Mass. 10. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, S.C.

Confirmed to the 2013 Top 10 are St. George Island State Park and Cape Florida State Park, which rose to No. 3 and No. 7 from their positions in 2012.

The new list also includes Barefoot Beach in Bonita Springs, on Florida's southwest coast, which surged into the Top 10 for the first time, at No. 6.

Leatherman praised the Florida beaches for their squeaky clean, super white sands, gentle surf and emerald-colored waters.

Visit Florida's Chief Marketing Officer Paul Phipps said Florida's consistently high rankings lend scientific validation to visitor word-of-mouth that led 91.4 million visitors to the Sunshine State last year.

"Naturally, it's extremely valuable exposure that connects us with beach-lovers around the world. Whenever they see Florida in prestigious rankings such as this, they visit, and when they visit, they come back again and again," Phipps said.

Tourism officials in Bonita Springs have always felt Barefoot Beach was worthy of the Top 10 but were thrilled to see it jump right to No. 6.

"We knew our beach and our sunsets were spectacular, but this Top 10 ranking proves that Barefoot Beach is indeed exceptional," said Christine Ross, president and CEO of the Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce. Ross speculated that recent updates in beach facilities helped Barefoot Beach land in the middle of the rankings, rather than debuting at No. 10.

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Three Florida Beaches Make Top 10 from 'Dr. Beach'

Pools, beaches to open in La Crosse Saturday

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LA CROSSE, Wis. -

Warm temperatures or not, La Crosse area pools and beaches are officially opening Saturday.

Crews have been busy making sure pools and beaches are up to code.

City of La Crosse aquatic department staff say they're ready to kick-off the summer swimming season. And while they've done their best to create a safe environment, City of La Crosse Aquatics Coordinator Steve Briggs says it's important swimmers take the steps to enjoy the water responsibly.

"We want everyone to come out and have a good time but we want everyone to be safe and follow the rules at whatever beach or pool they're at, Briggs said.

The Onalaska Aquatic Center and the John W. Chapman Aquatic Center in Holmen are already open.

Hours of operation for area BEACHES: La Crosse Pettibone Park 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Daily La Crosse Black River Beach Noon to 6 p.m. Daily Hours of operation for area POOLS: La Crosse Erickson Pool Open swim hours: 1:45 to 7:15 p.m. Monday through Friday, 1 to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Pool Fees: 17 and younger $2, 18 and older $3 La Crosse Memorial Pool Open swim hours: 1 to 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Pool Fees: 17 and younger $2, 18 and older $3 La Crosse Northside Community Pool Open swim hours: 1:45 to 5:45 p.m. Monday through Friday, 1 to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Pool Fees: 17 and younger $2, 18 and older $3

Onalaska Aquatic Center Open swim hours: 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday Pool Fees: Afternoon admission $3, night admission $1

Holmen John W. Chapman Aquatic Center Open swim hours: 5 to 8 p.m. today through Thursday, noon to 5:50 p.m. Monday through Friday rest of summer, noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, noon to 7 p.m. Sunday Pool Fees: afternoon admission $3, night admission $2

West Salem School District Swimming Pool Open swim hours: 1:30 to 5 p.m. and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday Pool Fees: Eighth grade and younger $1, high school students $1.50, adults $1.50

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Pools, beaches to open in La Crosse Saturday

Editorial: Philippine beaches on global list

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The Philippines continues to receive global recognition for its beautiful islands and tourist destinations. Three Philippines beaches - Palau Island in Cagayan Valley, El Nido in Palawan, and Puka Beach in Aklan -made it to the "100 Best Beaches in the World," a list published by Atlanta-based Cable News Network (CNN) on its travel website on May 30, 2013.

Palau Island, No. 10, was praised for its "raw beauty" of white sands meeting volcanic rocks, coral gardens, blue-green waters, diving site, rich marine species, and mangrove forest. Declared a marine reserve in 1994, it is the only island in Southeast Asia which entered the top 10 of the list.

El Nido, No. 14 was cited for its 50 species of corals, powder-fine beaches and gin-clear waters complementing the karst limestone formations, lagoons, marble cliffs, prehistoric caves, and waterfalls. Its waters attract whales, whale sharks, sea cows, manta rays, dolphins, and turtles. El Nido, a cluster of four eco-resorts, received the Community Benefit Award during the World Travel and Tourism Council's Tourism for Tomorrow Awards on April 9, 2013, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It also received global awards for its green practices and commitment to sustainable tourism.

Puka Beach, No. 84, is the 2nd longest secluded beach in Boracay in Aklan, the country's top tourist destination. It has powdery beaches, water sports, and spas. Here is found the rare Puka shells gathered by residents to make accessories for a living.

The Manila Bulletin, led by its Chairman of the Board of Directors Dr. Emilio T. Yap, President and Publisher Atty. Hermogenes P. Pobre, Executive Vice President Dr. Emilio C. Yap III, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Cris J. Icban Jr., Business Editor Loreto D. Cabaes, Officers and Employees, congratulate Department of Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr. and Undersecretary of Tourism Planning and Promotions Daniel G. Corpuz, Cagayan Valley Governor Alvaro T. Antonio, Palawan Governor Abraham Kahlil B. Mitra, and Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez, in their efforts to showcase the wonders and beauty of the Republic of the Philippines and place the country in the global tourism map. CONGRATULATIONS AND MABUHAY!

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Editorial: Philippine beaches on global list

Pinellas beaches appear OK after Andrea

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BY JOSH BOATWRIGHT Tribune staff

Published: June 7, 2013

In fact, on Friday it looked like any other sunny beach day here.

Only a few days into what's predicted to be an overactive hurricane season, though, local leaders are hoping the good fortune holds out, especially as several area beaches remain in dire need of renourishment.

Local and federal authorities spend millions each year in Pinellas County to maintain the area's greatest tourism asset, 35 miles of powder-white beaches, and a couple of bad summer storms can significantly increase those costs.

"I believe we are fairly lucky this time," said Ping Wang, a geology professor at University of South Florida who studies Pinellas beaches.

"[Tropical Storm] Debby lasted much longer, for three days; this storm only lasted five, six hours. So, the storm didn't quite have enough time to cause major erosion."

The brunt of Andrea came during low tide, missing the afternoon high tide window that would have turned her two-foot storm surge into five, potentially crashing over the dunes in places such as Sunset Beach, Wang said.

Sunset and Sunshine beaches in Treasure Island, as well as Pass-A-Grille and Upham beaches on Long Key, lost an enormous amount of sand last summer after Debby's incessant pummeling.

Treasure Island's beaches qualified for emergency federal funds and are scheduled to be renourished this fall at a cost of $12 million, including $4 million in county and state funds.

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Pinellas beaches appear OK after Andrea