Beaches are the best. Whether you live on a coast or travel miles each year just to dip your toes in the ocean, one thing is for certain: nothing beats an outing on the beach. But before you grab your towels, sunglasses, umbrellas, and your best swimsuits, there are a few beaches you might want to avoid. From crime reports and shark attacks to lightning fatalities, here’s a list of the top 15 beaches you should steer clear of to ensure a safe and enjoyable outing.
Carlsbad Beach, California
This beach north of San Diego has lots of criminals lurking around. It was reported that between May and September 2021, an astonishing 517 crimes occurred at the beach. Katy Perry once sang, “California girls are unforgettable,” but it would be better if you forget about visiting Carlsbad Beach.
Hollywood Beach, Florida
If you are not from Florida, Hollywood Beach might seem like the dream beach. Its ocean is breathtaking, and chic shops and restaurants surround it. But don’t be fooled! Alongside a high crime rate, it also had 4 shark attacks and a water pollution score of 47.37 out of 100. You might want to stay away from this one.
Malibu Beach, California
Next up is a beach that shares the same name as one of the more recognizable bottles of rum: Malibu. As such, you might think you’re in for a good time, but nothing could be further from the truth. The beach has a high pollution score of 61.30 out of 100. Besides water pollution, it also has the highest air pollution levels.
Deerfield Beach, Florida
Deerfield Beach is an award-winning location. It won the “Blue Wave” award from the Clean Beach Council for “excellence in water quality and beach conditions” among other things. However, cleanliness doesn’t always equal safety. The average summer temperature recorded at Deerfield Beach is a blistering 89.8 degrees. Heat isn’t the only thing you should worry about: a lightning strike caused a fatality in July 2007.
Belleair Beach, Florida
Moving up the list, this beach on the Gulf Coast might have a low crime rate, but it is still a good idea to avoid it. Besides having a high level of water pollution, Belleair Beach also has a recorded lightning strike fatality. Looks like even the Prince of Bel-Air might want to avoid this beach next time he’s in Florida.
Emerald Isle, North Carolina
The word “Emerald” often brings to mind the color green, but at this beach, it’s another “green” that occupies people’s minds: money. Between May and September 2021, a staggering 181 crimes were reported at the beach. This cemented Emerald Isle’s reputation as one of the dangerous beaches on our list.
Siesta Beach, Florida
Siesta Beach, with its stunning white sand and vibrant blue waters, is undeniably alluring. But you might want to think twice before going there. It was struck by lightning and has had 5 shark attacks reported at the beach. It is one of the hottest beaches on the list—the temperature can reach as high as 89.5 degrees.
Waikiki Beach, Hawaii
There’s no place like Hawaii when it comes to surfing. Imagine lingering in the ocean blue and surfing until sunset. But just because it’s paradise on Earth doesn’t mean it’s safe. Waikiki Beach attracts crime like no other beach. Between May and September 2021, there were a staggering 440 crimes reported.
Ocean View Beach, Virginia
Despite its name, Ocean View Beach is the furthest thing from being heaven-on-earth. This beach is infamous for having the most polluted water out of all the other beaches. Harmful algae blooms were also reported at the beach, adding to its troubling reputation.
North Palm Beach, Florida
North Palm Beach is one of the hottest beaches in America, with temperatures averaging 89.8 degrees. But heat is the least of your worries. Between May and September 2021, 156 crimes were reported on the beach. If you’re still into it, grab a large bottle of water and a 20$ bill you can hide under its label. What’s the worst that can happen?!
Atlantic Beach, Florida
Unlike North Palm Beach, you don’t have to worry about crime while sunbathing at Atlantic Beach. However, the sun is an issue—the average temperature at the beach is a purported 88 degrees. Thinking about jumping into the water to cool off? Think twice. Atlantic Beach scores 66.2 on a 100-point scale for water pollution.
Miami Beach, Florida
Miami Beach is one of the most crime-ridden places in Florida, with a property crime rate of 8,557 incidents per 100,000 residents. But crime isn’t the only thing you have to worry about. Miami Beach is also the hottest beach in the U.S., with temperatures reaching 90 degrees in the summer.
Capistrano Beach, California
At Capistrano Beach, you don’t have to worry about shark attacks or polluted waters. However, you might want to be aware of the air pollution situation going on there. Capistrano Beach, along with three other nearby Los Angeles-area beaches, has the highest air pollution levels.
Daytona Beach, Florida
Daytona Beach is one of the country’s most dangerous beaches. Nearly 600 crimes were reported here, many of them being thefts and robberies. There are 2 rules when it comes to Daytona: Rule #1 – never leave your bags unattended. Rule #2 – don’t swim in the ocean. Why? It has the highest number of shark attacks, with 39 reported incidents. No wonder Daytona is “The World’s Most Famous Beach.”
Venice Beach, California
LA’s most iconic beach is also the most dangerous. Venice Beach reported high levels of crime in the “City of Angels,” with a staggering 630 crimes reported in the vicinity between May and September 2021. Venice Beach also recorded the highest number of robberies and thefts at 223. Other than crime, the water and air at Venice Beach are highly polluted.
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