USVI-On-Line

Riffing on the post about Cape May hitting the list at #2, I noted that I have been to 11 of the 25 beaches listed, and I was surprised it was that many, because that is without any Florida Gulf Coast beaches that I've always wanted to visit.

How about you?

http://www.tripadvisor.com/TCBeaches-g1 ... tates.html

I have only been to 3 or 4..Some I wanna visit..but I would rather visit STJ... However I was shocked by Myrtle beach being number 1..IMO...thats way way off..We are 2 hrs from there and when we visit (because my mom goes and takes my kids) I dont swim in it..no way..no how...wade up to my ankles, yes... swim...no...Maybe the Caribbean has me spolied..but I dont think MB should be in the #1 spot.. to me it just appears dirty..

I laughed at Chatham. I love the area but last year those beaches were inundated- with gawkers. A great white shark had taken up residence and people from all over came down for a glimpse.

Really surprised that MB and Cape May were one and two....Poipu and Kamuela on the other hand are beautiful. Definitely not like Caribbean beaches though.

I must love tacky American beaches, I been in the water at nine of the beaches on the list and visited four others. My take on this list is that it is the top 25 beach vacation destinations with the actual quality of the beach being secondary.
We enjoy Myrtle Beach and using the above criteria agree with its classification. As a family destination Myrtle Beach is a great summer vacation with lots of activities for the family in the evenings. Of the top five beaches on the list Sanibel has the fewest activities except for shelling but is the best beach if you use the quality of the beach as the criteria should be number one.
Putting Ogunquit Maine on the top 25 I would question; the lighthouse in the picture isn't even at the beach. Mind you it is our favorite day trip beach and we go 3 to 5 times a year but I would argue there are a couple on Cape Cod that should rate higher if utilizing the things to do criteria for determining ranking.

shoemak38 wrote: My take on this list is that it is the top 25 beach vacation destinations with the actual quality of the beach being secondary.

Thats a good point, especially when you consider that this is a list done by "trip"advisor, not beachadvisor.

I know the Caribbean can spoil you in terms of sand, water color, water temperture, etc. but long beach walks or reading a book on a beautiful summer day at one of these beaches still beats a day at home or work. not to mention the other amenities of a place like Cape May or Ogunquit. Plus, you often have the added fun of waves if you surf or boogie board.

I have been to seven. Like someone else mentioned, I am spoiled by the Caribbean beaches. I doubt I will ever plan a mainland US beach trip specifically to go to the beach again.