For many retirees, proximity to the ocean and beaches can determine where they find the best place to retire. Whether your motivation is surfing, swimming, snorkeling, fishing or just relaxing, beaches are a necessity that some retirees just cannot escape. While most retirees can recount a vast number of beaches to call their favorites, there is one source many have relied on to find the most pristine beaches around the country.

For the past 18 years, Doctor Stephen P. Leatherman (aka “Dr. Beach”), a noted environmental scientist and director of Florida International University’s Laboratory for Coastal Research, has published his list of the top 10 beaches across the U.S. His ratings are based on a variety of criteria that include sand and water quality among nearly 50 other factors.

If you are the best place to retire near the beach try one of these top 10 places recommended by Dr. Beach for 2008:

1. Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin/Clearwater, Florida

2. Hanalei Beach, Kauai, Hawaii

3. Siesta Beach, Sarasota, Florida

4. Coopers Beach, Southampton, New York

5. Coronado Beach, San Diego, California

6. Main Beach, East Hampton, New York

7. Hamoa Beach, Maui, Hawaii

8. Cape Hatteras, Outer Banks, North Carolina

9. Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne, Florida

10. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina