Beach trip! America's 5-star shores

Delaware's Dewey Beach (pictured) is among 12 U.S. beaches to receive a five-star ranking by The Natural Resources Defense Council, which looked at best practices and number of health violations. The environmental group's annual assessment of 3,000 beach sites ranked Delaware's beach water quality first among 30 states.

Keep clicking to see the other five-star beaches, and a list of those deemed "repeat offenders."

Gulf Shores Public Beach, Alabama

The report noted the impact of the 2010 BP oil spill on Alabama's beaches. However, Gulf Shores Public Beach in Baldwin County remains ranked among the nation's best.

Huntington State Beach, California

Residents enjoy a breezy day at Huntington State Beach in Orange County, Calif.

South Padre Island, Texas

Sunset on South Padre Island in Cameron County, Texas. The report praised officials here and at other top beaches for clearly posting closings and advisories online and at the beach.

Gulf State Park Pavilion, Alabama

An aerial view of the Gulf State Park Pavilion in Baldwin County. Alabama has 97 coastal beaches stretching along 50 miles of the Gulf of Mexico coast and 70 miles of bay and island shoreline.

Bolsa Chica Beach, California

Beachgoers enjoy a day in the water at Bolsa Chica Beach in Orange County, Calif.

Hampton Beach State Park, New Hampshire

Hampton Beach State Park is among several clean beaches in New Hampshire. New Hampshire's coastal beaches rated the 2nd cleanest in the nation, according to the NRDC's list.

Newport Beach, California

Newport Beach in Orange County received a five-star rating for two of three monitored sections. This included Newport Beach along 38th Street and 52nd/53rd Street.

Wallis Sands Beach, New Hampshire

Wallis Sands Beach in Rockingham County, N.H., is one of several clean beaches in the state.

Ocean City at Beach 6, Maryland

Sunrise in Ocean City at Beach 6 in Worcester County, Md.

Park Point Franklin Park/13th Street South Beach and Lafayette Community Club Beach, Minnesota

Screen-shot-2012-07-03-at-3.45_1.jpg — DuluthMN.gov

A game of limbo on the Park Point Franklin Park/13th Street South Beach in Minnesota. This beach, as well as the Lafayette Community Club Beach, was given a five-star rating.

Looking for more information on a beach near you? Click here to see the full NRDC report, including a list of 15 "repeat offenders.