Hampton Beach is one of just four beaches across the nation to receive special recognition for its water quality. The Natural Resources Defense Council awarded New Hampshire’s most popular beach with its “Superstar Beach” status. 

Hampton Beach has earned a five-star water quality rating in each of the last four years, according to the NRDC’s annual report, “Testing the Waters: A Guide to Water Quality at Vacation Beaches.” Only three other beaches have accomplished that feat—two in Delaware and one in Minnesota (on Lake Superior).

As a whole, New Hampshire ranked first in the nation in beachwater quality. Only 1 percent of samples taken from the state’s 16 public beaches exceeded national standards for water quality. In addition to Hampton, Wallis Sands Beach in Rye also received a five-star rating from the NRDC.

Maine ranked 23rd in beachwater quality, and Massachusetts ranked 15th. To view the entire report, visit www.nrdc.org.