New York State has more than 54,556 square miles to explore. And yet, New York City’s 469 square miles grab all the spotlight. Sure, the city has amazing architecture, world-class restaurants, Broadway spectacles, and those oh-so-gorgeous hotels. But the rest of the state has plenty to offer, too—including a tiny beach that was recently named one of the best beaches to visit in 2024.

Coopers Beach, located on the south coast of Long Island, New York, ranks number 2 on Dr. Beach’s list of the 10 best beaches for 2024. And Dr. Beach is truly an authority you can trust. The website dedicated to discovering the best beaches in the world is run by coastal researcher Stephen Leatherman, who has been diligently rating the best beaches for three decades. He is also a professor and director of the Coastal Research Laboratory at Florida International University, so yes, he has the credibility needed to make a list like this.

To determine which spots make the top 10 list, Leatherman rates beaches on 50 criteria, including everything from water temperature to sand softness, wave size, views and public access. After looking at all the data, he put Coopers Beach in second place, thanks largely to its perfectly soft sand.

“Coopers Beach is the country’s first ‘Gold Coast’ and is hundreds of metres wide and consists of grainy white quartz sand,” explained Dr. Beach. “The beach is lined with large sand dunes covered in American beach grass, with large and extravagant mansions between them. Coopers Beach has some of the best beach access in the Hamptons and a snack bar that serves lunch and drinks.” Chairs and umbrellas are also available for rent on the beach, but visitors should note that there is a fairly hefty parking fee of $40, so do your research to avoid any surprises.

And as for which beach took the No. 1 title, that honor goes to Duke Kahanamoku Beach at the western end of Waikiki Beach. And one look at the crystal clear waters and soft white sand makes it clear why this beach received the crown.

For the full list of the top 10 beaches for 2024, visit drbeach.org.