Dr. Beach to give extra credit in 2016

Dr. Beach to give extra credit in 2016

MIAMI

After 25 years of ranking beaches, the professor known as “Dr. Beach” is starting his list of best beaches over from scratch in 2016. And he’ll be giving extra credit to beaches that ban smoking.

Professor Stephen Leatherman of Florida International University began his best beaches list in 1991. Once a beach achieved the No. 1 ranking, it was retired from consideration on future lists.

But now he says he’ll start fresh next year so that even beaches that he previously rated as tops have a shot at the No. 1 slot again.

Leatherman rates beaches using 50 criteria including water temperature, air temperature, number of sunny days, rip currents, water color, algae, views, access, seaweed and noise. But beginning in 2016, he says he’ll give extra points to beaches that ban smoking.

“The No. 1 form of litter on beaches is cigarette butts, and it is disgusting,” Leatherman said in an email.

Travel secrets

A recent global survey released by Travelzoo, a global Internet media company, reveals the dirty little secrets of travelers across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.

Reserving a chair: While not a terrible habit, it is frowned upon to reserve a lounge chair with your towel early in the morning, when you’re not at the beach or pool. Almost two-thirds of Canadians (64%) admitted to the crime followed by 59% of Americans, 40% of Chinese, 33% of Britons and 33% of Germans.

Skipping on a bill: When it comes to paying the bill, most travelers settle it fair and square. Only 13% of Americans have skipped out on the check and less than 10% of Canadians (9%), Britons (8%), Germans (7%) and Chinese (6%) have left a restaurant without paying the tab.

Geography quiz

Q. The name of this South Pacific capital rhymes with the island on which it’s located.

A. Papeete is on Tahiti, the largest of the French Polynesia islands. Sometimes it’s also pronounced Pap-e-AY-tee.

Combined dispatches