As summer approaches and vacationers eagerly prepare to hit the beach with swimsuits and sunscreen in hand, experts at Tideschart—a top tide-forecasting platform—are cautioning travelers to avoid these 10 particularly hazardous beaches.

What makes a beach dangerous? Factors like shark attacks, fatal surf incidents, and hurricane activity top the list.

After reviewing data from more than 500 U.S. shorelines, the Tideschart team concluded that Florida is home to the most alarming beaches in the country.

New Smyrna Beach snagged the No. 1 spot on this list, with a score of 76.92 out of 100, where 100 is the most dangerous. According to the Tideschart team, this beach, which lies on the eastern 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” because of the fact that it has the highest likelihood of shark attacks. Additionally, New Smyrna Beach reportedly experienced 12 surf fatalities between 2010 and 2024.

Ranking in at No. 2 on this terrifying list is Laguna Beach, with a 67.75 rating. This Panama City beach, on the shore of the Panhandle, supposedly had the most surf-related d.ea.ths — 39 to be exact — of all the analyzed beaches, in addition to nine shark attacks.

Popular tourist destination Daytona Beach — just north of New Smyrna — came in third on the list, with a score of 64.47. Due to the beach’s powerful currents, there have been 27 reported surfing deaths and allegedly almost 70 shark attacks.

Be careful, Miami Beach lovers: This coastal city ranked No. 4, with a 46.49 score, 13 surf-related deaths and reportedly almost 20 shark attacks.

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

– 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

Though Florida might have the most dangerous beaches, thankfully, New York is home to one of the best beaches in America.

Coopers Beach — located on the Southampton shores on the East End — was given this title by Florida International University environmental sciences expert 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 said to CNN.