Vacation at your own risk: These are the most dangerous beaches in the US — here's what horrors await
What makes a beach risky to hang out at? Shark attacks, surf-related deaths and hurrianes, of course.
The Tideschart team carefully analyzed over 500 shorelines in the US and determined that Florida has the most frightening beaches. The 10 beaches that made the cut were given a score out of 100.
New Smyrna Beach snagged the No. 1 spot on this list with a score of 76.92. The Tideschart team said this beach, which lies on the northwestern side of Florida, is most likely to get hit by brutal hurricanes because of its location.
3 New Smyrna Beach is known for its beautiful, wide sandy beaches.
JavierArtPhotography – stock.adobe.com
And 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 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 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 — which is on the eastern side of Florida — 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 almost 70 shark attacks.
3 Daytona came in at No. 3 on the list of the most dangerous beaches.
jovannig – stock.adobe.com
Beware, Miami Beach lovers: this coastal city ranked No. 4 with a 46.49 score, 13 surf-related deaths and almost 20 shark attacks.
The 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.
3 Florida is home to all 10 beaches on this list.
miami2you – stock.adobe.com
Here 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
Although Florida might have the most dangerous beaches, thankfully, New York is home to one of the best beaches in America.
Cooper's Beach — located on the Southampton shores on the eastern end — was given this title by Florida International University environmental sciences expert Dr. 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.
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