For most people, a day at the beach is the ticket to some nice, relaxing time in the sun. But thanks to films like Jaws, taking a dip in the ocean can fill some people with dread due to their fear of sharks. Despite the cultural assumption that the water is teeming with carnivorous fish waiting to strike, attacks are still exceedingly rare, with just 47 confirmed unprovoked bites worldwide in 2024, per the International Shark Attack File (ISAF). But despite being incredibly unlikely, some U.S. beaches have an above-average number of shark attacks—and the most dangerous spots might surprise you.
RELATED: You Shouldn’t Travel to These 21 Countries Right Now, State Department Warns.
A new study highlights the most dangerous U.S. beaches.
“A day at the beach” is considered so idyllic that the term is an idiom for a laid-back, easy time. But even though the combination of white sand, turquoise water, and clear skies can be enough to put anyone at ease, there’s no denying that spending time on the coast comes with its own unique set of risks.
Thankfully, a recent study commissioned by Good Guys Injury Law has shed some light on which beaches are the most dangerous. They considered multiple data points, including the number of all-time reported shark attacks, how many hurricanes have hit, and the estimated number of annual beachgoer rescues to help determine a final weighted score.
“Staying safe at busy or high-risk beaches means more than watching out for rip currents or marine life,” a spokesperson from Good Guys Injury Law said in response to the study’s results. “Pay attention to posted flags, swim near staffed lifeguard towers, and avoid swimming alone. High foot traffic, unclear signage, and unpredictable surf can all lead to avoidable emergencies. Even popular tourist beaches can be hazardous when crowding or confusion outpaces safety readiness.”
Data collected from the study helps to pinpoint exactly which beaches have proven most problematic when it comes to shark attacks:
- New Smyrna Beach, Florida – 185
- Cocoa Beach, Florida – 26
- Myrtle Beach, South Carolina – 24
- Melbourne Beach, Florida – 19
- Jacksonville Beach, Florida – 13
- Jupiter Beach, Florida – 10
- Waikiki Beach, Hawaii – 8
- Panama City Beach, Florida – 6
- Miami Beach, Florida – 5
- Santa Monica Beach, California – 0
Results show that New Smyrna Beach in Florida is far and away the most active beach for shark attacks in the U.S., with more than seven times as many reported unprovoked encounters as the next highest beach on the list. Notably, eight of the nine beaches on the list are located on the East Coast, seven of which are in Florida.
Still, there was one beach that made the top 10 most dangerous list without a single reported shark attack in its history: Santa Monica Beach in Los Angeles, California, per data.
While a close encounter with a ferocious fish might seem like the scariest thing that can happen during a day at the beach, it’s far less likely than another emergency. For example, even with just five all-time reported run-ins with sharks, Miami Beach saw an estimated 1,500 lifeguard rescues in just one calendar year. And Waikiki, with only eight all-time reported attacks, saw the most rescues on the list at an estimated 1,800.
RELATED: 8 Life-Saving Tips to Avoid a Shark Attack.
Here’s how you can avoid shark attacks.
If this list has you worried, there are some simple things you can do to decrease your already small chances of a shark attack.
According to ISAF, it’s best to follow common-sense swimming safety measures, such as not going into the water when you’re alone or at dusk and nighttime when sharks could be hunting. It’s also best to avoid wearing any sparkling or high-contrast swimsuits, which sharks could confuse as prey in the water.
Keep in mind that it’s not just this top 10 list where shark attacks are more likely to occur: Anywhere there’s murky water, fishing activity, or specific underwater features such as a sharply dropping sea cliff or the space between sand bars could increase your chances of running into a shark. You should also do your best to avoid swimming near other marine mammals such as seals or sea lions (top on a shark’s menu), and try not to swim if you’re bleeding from an open wound.
But even as you keep this minimal risk in mind, it’s best to remember it pales in comparison to other everyday dangers. “The statistical reality is that sharks do not regularly bite and certainly don’t eat people,” Julie Andersen, global director of brand for PADI Worldwide (as well as a founder of Shark Savers, Shark Angels, and Fin Free), previously told Best Life. “If you look at the numbers, literally everything is more dangerous to humans, including dogs, mosquitoes, hippos, air fresheners, toilets, buckets, and even falling coconuts.”
Content shared from bestlifeonline.com.