HAWAII - Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman spends a lot of time with his head in the sand. But that’s what happens when you’re Dr. Beach.

Leatherman, a.k.a. Dr. Beach, assembles a list of America’s Top 10 beaches each year and destinations from Florida to Hawaii pray they’re on it because a wave of curious tourists usually follows.

The good doctor has written several books on the subject and has appeared on many television shows directing people to what he believes are the 10 best.

However, we’d advise Dr. Beach to get out more often. The United States is not the only country with great beaches. In fact, any warm climate country with a coastline has great beaches.

According to Dr. Beach, to make his Top 10 list a “great” beach must have things like sanitary washrooms; kid’s playgrounds; etc. – 50 criteria in all must be met during the good doctor’s examination before a beach makes the grade.

Here at Travelife.ca we have just ONE criterion that beaches must meet before making our Top 10 list – they all have to be natural beauties.

Let’s face it, beaches in undeveloped places like Africa and Asia, and even some in Europe, can’t come close to matching America for sanitary conditions. But that doesn’t make their beaches any less worthy of recognition.

So, without further delay; the envelop please – Travelife's Top 10 world beaches:

1 - Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Life is a beach in Brazil and especially Rio. There are dozens of gorgeous pure white beaches located along Rio’s lovely coastline and any one could qualify for this list. However, none come close to Copacabana, which could also top our Top 10 fun beaches around the world. Copacabana’s 4 kilometer-long stretch of sandy real estate may be the most famous beach in the world, as well. Here, every New Year’s Eve, over 2 million people gather to bring in the New Year with samba parties and world renowned entertainers. But why wait for New Year’s? There’s a party on Copacabana every night, it seems. During the day, the spotless beach is crowded with “unemployed” Brazilians – why work when you can play on Copacabana all day? Soccer and volleyball games are fun to watch, mostly because of the scantily clad competitors. Don’t come here looking for naked beauties, though – we discovered first hand that why Brazilian bathers wear nothing more than a wash cloth to cover their bodies, very few, if any, parade around topless, as has been portrayed in many Hollywood movies. Being a devout Catholic country, the naturally bronzed Brazilians are reluctant to go naked – but they come close! A word of caution - some undesirables hang out on Copacabana Beach and petty theft occurs on a regular basis. So don’t bring any valuables with you. Copacabana is usually very crowded by noon so if you’d like a little more privacy, head over to neighboring Ipanema – the secluded beach they write songs about. Many hotels along the beach have private sections of Copacabana that are attended and guarded. That doesn’t stop the local hawkers from trying to sell their wares – a bit bothersome after a while, but it’s all part of the fun here.

2 - Intendance Bay Beach, Mahe Island, Seychelles

There are 115 islands that make up tiny Seychelles, the former slave colony that sits in the middle of the Indian Ocean off Kenya. So, as you’d expect, there’s plenty of beaches and they’re all natural beauties. What we liked most about Intendance Bay, and why we made it No. 2 on our Top 10 list, is because of its remote location on the northern side of the island. Here you can sunbath in the nude or go skinny dipping in the azure waters and the only audience you’ll have are the giant turtles that crawl ashore. Intendance Bay sits behind the amazing Banyan Tree Resort, a luxury 5-star property that fits very nicely onto our Top 10 hotels in the world as well. The talcum powder beach is lined with drooping palm trees that have been shaped by the mild breeze that blows in off the tranquil Indian Ocean. This beach has often been described as Paradise and the fact the “original” Garden of Eden is believed to have been located on a sister island, tells you what beauty awaits you here. There are more shades of blue and green offered in Seychelles’ waters than anywhere else in the world and they blend perfectly with the spicy African lifestyle offered here. Many European film and advertising companies use Intendance Bay for photo and movie shoots and the beach is also a favorite with honeymooners.

3 – Crane Beach, Barbados

How can you pick one Caribbean Beach over another? Once you see this pink beauty, we think you’ll agree it’s the best you’ve ever seen in these parts. Crane Beach is within a 10 minute drive of the country’s international airport and is located in one of the most historic areas of this island nation, right next to the Crane Hotel, the first resort complex ever built on Barbados. Vacationers have been swimming in the Crane surf since 1887 when the original Crane Hotel first opened. Since then, a modern, state of the art hotel with rental villas has taken shape and now makes this one of Barbados’ most treasured resorts. But the pink crescent beach that sits below the cliff the resort is built on is what really draws attention to this hotel. A hundred steps carved into the cliff face leads you to Crane Beach and a thrill of a lifetime. The beach is protected by a natural coral reef and at only a half mile long, is one of the smallest you’ll ever visit. However, what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in beauty. Here people come to sun themselves under a constant blue sky canopy and enjoy panoramic views of the endless Atlantic horizon amid the soothing noise of waves crashing against the jagged coastline. Many other magazines and websites have rated Crane Beach among their Top 10 picks as well. Surfers, swimmers and boogie boarders all frolic in the Crane surf that offers a gentle descent. There are no sea urchins, stones or coral under foot. Expect to see lots of tropical fish and turtles, though The lush forest at the end of the beach is home to natural caves and the odd green monkey. Beware – they’re vicious little creatures.

4 - Laguna Beach, Phuket, Thailand

Picking the top beach in Thailand is like trying to choose the winner of a Miss World beauty contest. The country is full of beautiful contenders, with the Phuket area offering at least 10. Patong Beach, Kata Beach and the pristine beaches of offshore Phi Phi Island are all list worthy but the one that caught our attention is the sandy stretch of paradise located at Laguna, about a half hour’s drive from Patong. The beach there offers some spectacular sea vistas and its calm waters are perfect for family fun. There are five hotel properties that lay claim to this beach so that should tell you what a prized piece of land this is. Laguna Beach offers shallow swimming and its bathtub-warm waters are welcoming year round. The beach is lined with native dining establishments where people gather at sunset for romantic dinners or drinks. The seafood served at these establishments is fresh right from the waters that lap Laguna’s shores. Romantics stroll the shoreline at night, their only fear being they might step on the odd turtle or crab. There are several private areas for hotel guests but the public areas here are safe and well maintained.

5 - Wainapanapa Black Sand Beach, Maui, Hawaii

Hawaii’s treasured island Maui is ringed with 120 miles of coastline and over 30 miles of beaches. Many are crowded with tourists and local surfers and while beautiful, fail to excite. The beauty of Maui, though, is that it’s blessed with a number of “secret” beach spots that are a bit off the beaten track. One of those is Wainapanapa Beach, located not far from the secluded town of Hana, the historic village where Maui’s first resort was built and still remains active today. The most striking feature of Wainapanapa Beach is its black sand – tiny pebbles that were left behind as hot lava from ancient volcanoes made its way to the sea. This is an au natural beach that is tucked away in the lava cliffs that make for a dramatically beautiful backdrop. The beach is located in Wainapanapa State Park and welcomes swimmers and surfers but because of its remote location from the main tourist areas, you’ll often find yourself alone in this magnificent area. A small sea arch, sea caves and lava tubes where waves rise like geysers, are all part of the natural beauty found here. King’s Highway, an ancient Hawaiian footpath, leads from the beach area along the coastline for three miles into the bohemian town of Hana, home to several Hollywood stars, including Woody Harrelson. High surf and strong currents are your big concerns here so monitoring local weather conditions is vital before heading to Wainapanapa Beach.

6 - Fort DeSoto Park Beach, St. Petersburg, Fla.

Finally, Dr. Beach and imaginetraveldaily.com agree on a Top 10 selection. Fort DeSoto Beach was the good doctor’s No. 1 selection in 2005 and it was an honor well deserved. Fort DeSoto, site of an historic Civil War outpost, has several excellent beaches but the one known as North Beach is the area recognized as the best. We toured the beach recently and couldn’t agree more with Dr. Beach that this earns top marks, mostly because it doesn’t look like an overcrowded Florida beach. During the week, the time we toured the area, just a few school kids and some athletic-minded grandparents were walking along the sandy shore that has become a pleasure playground. The entire park is a naturalist’s dream come true with canoe and nature trails complete with natural sand dunes where sea turtles come in the light of the moon to lay their precious eggs. Excellent beach management sets North Beach apart from other Florida beaches. Instead of the smell of French fries and cotton candy, here all you’ll smell is salty sea air. Fort DeSoto Park even added a dog beach recently so now four-legged family members have a watery place to play. North Beach has lots of creature comfort facilities that allows for picnics and family outings. You can also camp in the park, not far from the beaches, but reservations 8 to 9 months in advance are the norm. North Beach is well worth the wait, though.

7 - Manly Beach, Sydney, Australia

This suburban beach is often an afterthought for visitors to Australia's largest city. The more popular Bondi across town is typically their first sand and sun destination when they've exhausted their sightseeing energies and decide that a little Down Under R&R is in order. But travelers should take heed - Manly, on the north end of the city - is not only a better quality beach than Bondi, it's less busy and far less commercial. It's also an access point to Sydney's Northern Beaches, a strand of magnificent coastline that offers some of the best surfing and lazing the world has to offer. While you might have to dodge the odd surfer, you can rest assured that in Manly you won't have to navigate around throngs of milk-white bodies seeking their fair share of vacation sun time. The bodies here are mostly golden brown and Aussie to the core. {mospagebreak}

8 - Coral Bay, north of Exmouth, Western Australia

Take a four-hour plane ride north of Perth to a place where the streets have no names and the locals wear the difficulty of the terrain on their sun-cragged faces. It's there that you'll find Coral Bay. The remote beach is the closest access point to Ningaloo Reef, one of the most easily-accessed coral reefs in the world. You can expect to see over 250 species of corals and a range of wildlife from manta rays to dolphins as you snorkel in the crystal-blue waters. Snorkel out and peer into a different world that's been relatively unaffected by the tourist trade. It's a major drawing card for hardcore snorkellers and divers dismayed by the over-visitation of the Great Barrier Reef on Australia's east coast, but who still actively seek out the next great underwater environment for exploration. The rest of us can rest easy on the white sand beach, laze in the blazing sun and let the world pass us by.

9 – Horseshoe Bay Beach, Bermuda

Horseshoe Bay is one of the smallest stretches of beach in the world and one that offers some of the biggest thrills. Hidden coves invite lovers to embrace under the warm Bermuda sun and baby powder soft sand and gentle surf encourage couples to stroll hand in hand. Located in Southampton, the most picturesque part of this postcard beautiful nation, Horseshoe is a sheer delight. Complete amenities are available for a full day of fun. It's also one of the few beaches with a lifeguard on duty all summer. Complete concessions and gear rental are available- just bring your suit and sunscreen.

10 – Rossnowlagh Beach, Donegal, Ireland

Who says all Top 10 beaches must be located in tropical climes? Certainly not us. Which is why Rossnowlagh Beach, located in this charming part of Ireland, makes the list? The cool waters of the Atlantic in these parts are only accessible from July to late September but it’s the best time of the year around here anyway. The shimmering hard sand that makes up Rossnowlagh Beach allows for easy strolls and horseback rides. The cliffs overlooking Donegal Bay and the beach and the endless sea vistas are all part of its charm. The four-star Sandhouse Hotel that acts as a backdrop to the beach is one of favorites. The surfing here is some of the best in Europe and Rossnowlagh has hosted a number of European championships. The Sandhouse even has a surfer’s bar where old boards hang form the rafters like trophies. If you go to www.a1surf.com/surfcheck- rossnowlagh.html you’ll get up to the minute images of the beach and weather conditions. There’s lots of championship golf in this area and some of the highest cliffs in Europe are located in the Donegal area. Long walks along the crescent-shaped beach are a favorite pastime of guests and locals.

Bonus Pick: We recently visited Vietnam and we’re boldly predicting the Communist country, second only to China as the strongest economy in Asia, is about to jump onto the world scene as a great holiday destination – complete with one of the best stretches of sand in the world known as China Beach. This Vietnamese icon is best known as a respite for U.S. servicemen during the Viet Nam war but now the 30-kilometre stretch of pristine beach between Danang and Hoi An is being transformed by European investors into one of Asia’s best holiday spots. Five and six-star hotels costing $500 a night are springing up along the shoreline that offers some of the best undeveloped beach property in the world. This resort area is still in its infancy but, you heard it here first, will quickly take over from Thailand as the favorite beach destination in Asia. China Beach, known as My Khe by the locals, offers views of nearby Marble Mountain and the imperial town of Hu is also close by. Championship golf courses are being built in the area and some are being constructed along the China Beach coastline. As this area develops, our Top 10 picks above may be challenged to retain their positions.