St. George Island State Park off the Florida Panhandle is the world’s best beach, according to the university professor who has been ranking the nation’s best beaches for the past 33 years.

Dr. Stephen Leatherman, a professor of Earth & Environment at Florida International University, studies the nation’s 650 public beaches each year and compiles a top 10 ranking based on 50 criteria, including level of development, wildlife, use of lifeguards, wave action, sand type/color, and more.

St. George Island was followed in the top 10 by:

• Duke Kahanamoku Beach, Oahu, Hawaii
• Coopers Beach, Southampton, N.Y.
• Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin/Clearwater, Fla.
• Lighthouse Beach, Buxton, Outer Banks of N.C.
• Coronado Beach, San Diego, Calif.
• Wailea Beach, Maui, Hawaii
• Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, S.C.
• Piopu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii
• Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Mass.

No Alabama beaches made the list.

In his description of St. George Island, Leatherman noted the pristine environment the beach offers and how the beach has rebounded since being heavily damaged by Hurricane Michael in 2018.

“This long barrier island, far from urban areas, is a favorite destination for beachgoers, anglers and bird watchers as nature abounds,” he wrote, also noting the island’s crystal clear water and sugary-fine, white sand beach.

“There is much to explore at this serene 1,962-acre park.”

Leatherman is also a champion of smoke-free beaches, noting the environmental impact cigarette butts have on beaches, with cigarette butts ranking #1 on the list of items littering beaches, according to Ocean Conservancy.

Leatherman’s rankings, full descriptions of the beaches and other information can be found at the Dr. Beach website.