CNN  — 

This marine-protected area, 10 miles from Waikiki Beach, was the first beach to ban smoking in Hawaii, a move to protect tropical fish in the area.

Oahu’s Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve topped Dr. Beach’s 26th annual top 10 list of U.S. beaches, released Thursday.

Dr. Beach, also known as coastal expert and Florida International University professor Stephen P. Leatherman, issues his annual list on the basis of 50 criteria, including water and sand quality.

Hawaii took two of the top 10 spots in the annual rankings, but Florida had the most beaches listed with three.

Hawaii had two beaches on the top 10 list, with North Carolina, South Carolina, Massachusetts, New York and beach-heavy California each listing just one beach each.

Hawaii’s Hapuna Beach entered the list this year, displacing 2016 winner Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, also in Hawaii.

Leatherman used to retire his winners but has decided to stop doing it. Case in point – Siesta Beach previously held the top prize in 2011.

1. Siesta Beach, Sarasota, Florida

2. Kapalua Bay Beach, Maui, Hawaii

3. Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach, Outer Banks of North Carolina

4. Grayton Beach State Park, Florida

5. Coopers Beach, Southampton, New York

6. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts

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

8. Hapuna Beach, Big Island, Hawaii

9. Coronado Beach, San Diego, California

10. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina

1. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, Oahu, Hawaii

2. Siesta Beach, Sarasota, Florida

3. Kapalua Bay Beach, Maui, Hawaii

4. Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach, Outer Banks of North Carolina

5. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts

6. Grayton Beach State Park, Florida panhandle

7. Coronado Beach, San Diego, California

8. Coopers Beach, Southampton, New York

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

10. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina