Dr. Beach Names Hawaii's Hanauma Bay Best Beach In America

HONOLULU (AP) — When you come upon an ocean bay that has features known as "Toilet Bowl" and "Witch's Brew," you may not envision a welcoming tropical oasis. [...] Hawaii's Hanauma Bay, nestled inside a breeched volcanic cone on the southeastern shore of Oahu, has some of the state's calmest waters, most pristine beaches and world-renowned snorkeling over coral reefs that teem with colorful fish. A lot of times if you want to see those kinds of fish you've got to go offshore, you've got to go take a boat ride somewhere, Leatherman told The Associated Press in a telephone interview last week. Siesta Beach in Sarasota, Florida; Kapalua Bay Beach in Maui, Hawaii; Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach on the Outer Banks of North Carolina; Coast Guard Beach on Cape Cod, Massachusetts; Grayton Beach State Park in Florida; Coronado Beach in San Diego; Coopers Beach in Southampton, New York; Caladesi Island State Park in Clearwater, Florida; and Beachwalker Park on Kiawah Island, South Carolina. All first-time visitors who come to the popular snorkeling spot are required to watch an informational video that teaches them about preservation and conservation, as well as the safety rules for the bay. [...] in his 25th year of ranking beaches, Leatherman has reset the list and allowed all beaches to be eligible for the top spot in 2016. [...] any beach that won previously had been disqualified for another win, and Hanauma Bay won the honor about a decade ago, Leatherman said. Honolulu Emergency Services Department spokeswoman Shayne Enright told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Tuesday that inexperienced snorkelers often underestimate the dangers of swimming in the bay.