Hunting Island State Park is the eighth best beach in the country, according to a top 10 list released Wednesday by travel Web site TripAdvisor.com.

National attention isn't new for the state's most popular park, said Marion Edmonds, spokesman for the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, though he has been "seeing more of a national and international reputation growing for Hunting Island," a long-time staple vacation destination for South Carolinians.

"Hunting Island has, as it's gained notice and comment over the years, has become more of a destination in general for people to visit," he said.

Count Brooke Ferencsik, a spokesman for the Massachusetts-based TripAdvisor, among the out-of-state visitors to expect.

"I've not been there, but from what I've heard it's a beautiful place. It's definitely on my list of places to visit this year," he said.

The top 10 list was based on the Web site's editors and a measure of the park's popularity across the Web, Ferencsik said. Edmonds said he was particularly pleased by the site's synopsis of Hunting Island that accompanied the ranking:

"Hunting Island beach is part of a lush and protected nature reserve, and this secluded barrier island is home to an enormous variety of wildlife. Great for hiking, biking and camping, visitors will also want to check out the historic Hunting Island Lighthouse. According to one Trip-Advisor member, 'Hunting Island State Park is one of the true gems of the South Carolina coast.'"

Maintaining the island's unspoiled status bucks the coastal development trend, Edmonds said, and is part of what makes it so special.