MB takes top rank on Yahoo! beach list

Would you choose Myrtle Beach over Sydney, Australia? Miami? Honolulu?

Yahoo! users did. In the list of the “World’s Best Beaches,” the Grand Strand took the top spot, outranking destinations that dwarf Myrtle Beach in visitor numbers, reputation and general name recognition.

Yahoo! users voted online. More than 680 people have posted reviews of Myrtle Beach, some adding photos of themselves in the surf.

The popular site should help get more positive attention for the Grand Strand at a perfect time as travelers plan their summer vacations, said Brad Dean, president of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.

“Any ranking by a reputable source is flattering, but given the level of exposure this grants us - to millions of Yahoo! users - plus the prominence given to this list in the Yahoo! Travel section, we’re thrilled,” he said.

Yahoo!’s top 10 beaches:

1. Myrtle Beach

2. Miami, Fla.

3. Cancun, Mexico

4. Kaanapali, Hawaii

5. Honolulu, Hawaii

6. San Diego, Calif.

7. Boracay Island, Philippines

8. Key West, Fla.

9. Sydney, Australia

10. Santa Barbara, Calif.

Source: Dawn Bryant, The Sun News, Myrtle Beach, SC