Buxton #5 on Dr. Beach's 10 Best Beaches in the USA

Buxton Beach Awarded for Beauty

This year, Lighthouse Beach in Buxton, NC was awarded the #5 spot on Dr. Beach's 2023 Top Ten Beaches List!

Each year, Dr. Stephen Leatherman, Professor at the Department of Earth & Environment at Florida International University, selects the Top 10 Beaches. He's been doing this since 1991. Fifty criteria are used to evaluate the beaches, including water and sand quality, as well as safety and management. Dr. Latherman is recognized internationally for publishing 20 books as well as hundreds of articles and rewards regarding beach safety.

Dr. Beach's says of Lighthouse Beach:

"Lighthouse Beach is where the old spiral-striped Cape Hatteras Lighthouse once stood until it was moved landward in 1999 because of beach erosion.  This lifeguarded beach is the number one surfing spot on the U. S. Atlantic Coast as the large offshore sand banks, known as Diamond Shoals, cause wave refraction focusing wave energy on this beach.  It is fun to stroll down to the Cape Point where a long sand spit often exists, making one feel somewhat like Moses because the waves are coming from both directions as you walk along this narrow string of sand in the ocean."  

Though Ocracoke didn't make it on the list this year, Ocracoke Lifeguard Beach won the #1 spot last year! And it's still a great place to visit during your next Outer Banks vacation. Be sure to check out our blog on the Ocracoke Passenger & Vehicle ferries for more information on how to enjoy your visit to Ocracoke Island.

Here is the complete list of Dr. Beach's Top Ten Beaches for 2023:

1. St. George Island State Park, Florida Panhandle
2. Duke Kahanamoku Beach, Oahu, Hawaii
3. Coopers Beach, Southampton, New York
4. Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin/Clearwater, Florida
5. Lighthouse Beach, Buxton, Outer Banks of North Carolina
6. Coronado Beach, San Diego
7. Wailea Beach, Maui, Hawaii
8. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina
9. Poipu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii
10. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Visit one of America's Top Beaches!

We can certainly see why Lighthouse Beach in Buxton ranks as one of the best beaches in the country. Not only is the history of the beach engaging and fun, there is so much to do on Hatteras Island that makes this area so special! Enjoy the magnificent beauty of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, as it sits untouched and ready for your next beach day or get one of the best apple fritters you'll ever have from this world famous bakery in Buxton! 

And not only is Cape Point a unique spot on the East Coast for pictures and walking through the surf, but it's one of the best places in the United States to go fishing! Take a look at our list of Must-Do Things on Hatteras Island for even more information about the cool things to do on Hatteras Island. Don't forget to stop by the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse while you're here, and take a look at the other OBX lighthouses up and down the Outer Banks for even more amazing sites!

The beaches are amazing, the water is full of fish, and there's history everywhere you turn. This quiet, out-of-the-way area of the Outer Banks is just waiting to take you back in time for a peaceful vacation that makes your stay feel like you're a world away. Check out our available rentals on Hatteras Island and experience the wonder of this beautiful stretch of sand on the southern Outer Banks. Find our more about Hatteras Island here and get familiar with the area before your stay with our interactive map!

PLAN YOUR CAPE HATTERAS ADVENTURE TODAY!

So whether you're hoping to come for a couple's getaway or you're excited to introduce the kiddos to some important North Carolina history while recreating memories of your childhood beach vacation, we've got the perfect place for you to stay while you're in town. Check out our available rentals on Hatteras Island and book your next Hatteras Island vacation today!