While many vacationers are ready to throw on their bathing suits, slather on the SPF and head to the beach for some fun in the sun this summer — researchers at Tideschart, a leading tide-forecasting platform, are warning travelers to steer clear of these 10 dangerous beaches.
What makes a beach risky to hang out at? Shark attacks, surf-related deaths and hurricanes, of course.
The Tideschart team carefully analyzed over 500 shorelines in the US and determined that Florida has the most frightening beaches.
New Smyrna Beach snagged the No. 1 spot on this list, with a score of 76.92 out of 100, where 100 is the most dangerous. The Tideschart team said this beach, which lies on the eastern side of Florida, is most likely to get hit by brutal hurricanes because of its location.
New Smyrna Beach is known for its beautiful, wide sandy beaches. JavierArtPhotography – stock.adobe.comAnd to make matters worse, this coast has earned itself the title of the “Shark Bite Capital of the World” since it has the highest likelihood of shark attacks. New Smyrna Beach also reportedly experienced 12 surf fatalities between 2010 and 2024.
Coming in at No. 2 on this terrifying list is Laguna Beach, with a 67.75 rating. This Panama City beach, on the shore of the Panhandle, supposedly had the most surf-related deaths — 39 to be exact — of all the analyzed beaches, in addition to nine shark attacks.
Popular tourist destination Daytona Beach — just north of New Smyrna — came in third on the list, with a score of 64.47. Thanks to the beach’s powerful currents, there have been 27 reported surfing deaths and allegedly almost 70 shark attacks.
Daytona came in at No. 3 on the list of the most dangerous beaches. jovannig – stock.adobe.comBeware, Miami Beach lovers: This coastal city ranked No. 4, with a 46.49 score, 13 surf-related deaths and reportedly almost 20 shark attacks.
Indialantic Ocean Beach Park might be considered the smallest beach boardwalk in the world — but it sure is mighty. This hazardous beach earned itself a score of 44.64 for its nine surf fatalities and 30 shark attacks.
Florida is home to all 10 beaches on this list. miami2you – stock.adobe.comHere are the Top 10 most dangerous beaches in the US
- New Smyrna Beach, Florida, 76.92
- Laguna Beach, Florida, 67.75
- Daytona Beach, Florida, 64.47
- Miami Beach, 46.49
- Indialantic Boardwalk, Florida, 44.64
- Cocoa Beach, Florida, 44.01
- Palm Beach, Florida, 43.53
- Miramar Heights Beach, Florida, 41.88
- Cape Canaveral, Florida, 40.75
- Jupiter Beach Park, Florida, 40.37
The most dangerous beaches in the US were revealed by researchers at Tideschart. Donald Pearsall / NY Post DesignAlthough Florida might have the most dangerous beaches, thankfully, New York is home to one of the best beaches in America.
Coopers Beach — located on the Southampton shores on the East End — was given this title by Florida International University environmental sciences expert Stephen P. Leatherman, aka Dr. Beach.
This beach was praised for its “white quartz sand” and “large sand dunes covered by American beach grass interspersed with extravagant mansions.”
“It’s a big, beautiful beach,” Leatherman told CNN.
