America’s Most Dangerous Beaches

Fantasizing about your next beach vacation? Before you pack your flip-flops and sunscreen, it’s worth taking a closer look at the potential risks. Although most beaches in America are generally safe, the ocean is a powerful force that deserves respect. Rip currents, unpredictable surf conditions, and marine life can pose serious hazards for unsuspecting visitors.

To warn travelers of the riskiest spots, researchers at Tideschart, a tide forecasting website, analyzed 528 beaches across the country to identify America’s most dangerous beaches.

The study ranked beaches on three factors: surf zone fatalities, shark attacks, and hurricanes, assigning each beach an overall safety score out of 100. 

Shockingly, America’s most dangerous beaches were all in one state—Florida. 

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“While shark attacks often dominate the headlines, the real danger on Florida’s beaches stems from the ever-present hurricane threat,” said Ryan Blundell, founder of Tideschart, “Hurricanes cause powerful rip currents and storm surges, which significantly elevate the risk for beachgoers.”

The Most Dangerous Beaches in America

Rank	Beach Name	State	Surf Zone Fatalities	Shark Attacks	Hurricanes	Final Score
1	New Smyrna Beach	Florida	12	277	126	76.92
2	Laguna Beach	Florida	39	9	126	67.75
3	Daytona Beach	Florida	27	67	126	64.47
4	Miami Beach	Florida	13	17	126	46.49
5	Indialantic Boardwalk	Florida	9	30	126	44.64
6	Cocoa Beach	Florida	7	39	126	44.01
7	Palm Beach	Florida	7	35	126	43.53
8	Miramar Heights Beach	Florida	10	0	126	41.88
9	Cape Canaveral	Florida	6	19	126	40.75
10	Jupiter Beach Park	Florida	5	23	126	40.37

Beach Safety Tips

No matter which beach you’re visiting, follow these important safety tips:

• Always swim in a lifeguarded area
• Never swim alone
• Be aware of weather and water conditions
• Read all posted warning signs and heed all flags
• Leave the water immediately if you hear thunder or see lightning
• Always enter the water feet first and never dive head first into surf
• Never swim under the influence of drugs or alcohol 
• If you are caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current
• Avoid swimming in murky water
• Do not swim at dawn or dusk, when sharks are most active and water visibility is generally at its lowest
• Avoid wearing shiny jewelry or clothing, which can attract sharks
• Stay aware of boat traffic nearby
• Do not swim near people fishing