Winning the coveted top slot on Dr. Beach’s Top 10 Beaches in 2011 proved to be the most valuable honorific bestowed on Siesta Key Beach. Could the white sands take the title once again? It’s an opportunity Virginia Haley, president of Visit Sarasota County, never expected again. Florida International University professor Stephen Leatherman compiles his celebrated listicle annually, but normally retires a beach once it reaches the top. But after the Dr. Beach 25th anniversary last year, he rebooted and made everyone eligible. “The list of best beaches is beginning anew so all beaches have a chance again,” Leatherman says. As a result, Siesta Beach came in second place in 2016, behind only Hanauma Bay in Hawaii. More importantly, Siesta suddenly seems the frontrunner for 2017, which could be a boon for area business. Haley says Dr. Beach and TripAdvisor garner more attention than any other must-list. “It’s a nice little gift,” Haley says.