Vacation at your own risk: These are the most dangerous beaches in the US — here’s what horrors await

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 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.

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.

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.

Here are the top 10 most dangerous beaches in the US

1. New Smyrna Beach, Florida, 76.92
2. Laguna Beach, Florida, 67.75
3. Daytona Beach, Florida, 64.47
4. Miami Beach, 46.49
5. Indialantic Boardwalk, Florida, 44.64
6. Cocoa Beach, Florida, 44.01
7. Palm Beach, Florida, 43.53
8. Miramar Heights Beach, Florida, 41.88
9. Cape Canaveral, Florida, 40.75
10. 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.