Florida has been the reigning king of shark attacks over the past decade, with a staggering 259 recorded shark bites since 2012. The only other states that even come close to Florida in terms of shark attacks are Hawaii and South Carolina, with 76 and 49 attacks, respectively.
A recent study conducted by a law firm ranked the most dangerous beaches in the United States based on shark attacks, surf zone deaths, hurricanes, and other dangers. Unsurprisingly, all of the top 10 most dangerous beaches are located in Florida, with 24 out of the top 25 being in the Sunshine State. Myrtle Beach in South Carolina was the only location outside of Florida to break into the top 25 list.
The study graded the country’s most dangerous beaches based on a score out of 100, with higher scores indicating a greater level of danger. Here are the top 10 most dangerous beaches according to the law group:
10. Miramar Beach, with a score of 40.63, was the only beach in the top 10 where a shark did not attack anyone in 2023. However, seven surfers lost their lives in the waters off Miramar Beach last year.
9. Melbourne Beach, with a score of 40.9, saw 19 recorded shark attacks in 2023, with most of the victims being surfers.
8. Indialantic Beach, with a score of 41.02, had eight shark attacks and six surfer deaths.
7. Ponce Inlet, with a score of 41.54, recorded 34 shark attacks and two surfer deaths.
6. Ormond Beach, with a score of 41.57, nearly made it into the top five most dangerous beaches due to its rip currents, which claimed the lives of six surfers.
5. Cocoa Beach, with a score of 46.35, experienced 26 shark attacks in 2023, but thankfully none were fatal.
4. Miami Beach, with a score of 47.78, faced more dangers from hurricanes than sharks or surfers, with a total of 126 hurricanes hitting the area.
3. Daytona Beach, with a score of 60.01, had 141 recorded shark attacks, the second most in the country.
2. Panama City Beach, with a score of 67.75, saw 32 surfers lose their lives in 2023 due to rip currents.
1. New Smyrna Beach, with a score of 76.04, earned the title of the “shark bite capital of the world” with 186 shark attacks in 2023.
The study emphasized the importance of beach safety, particularly in Florida where the ever-present risk of hurricanes can create dangerous conditions for beachgoers. As summer approaches and vacations are on the horizon for many Americans, it is crucial to prioritize safety when planning a trip to the beach.