24 Hidden Dangers Lurking at Your Favorite Beach

There are are staggering 3.5 billion beach visits in America each year. While we can safely say beaches are a motif of relaxation, we must be careful not to be too blasé about our coastal retreats. Dangers lurk everywhere.

Planning for potential safety hazards at the beach isn’t always at the front of our minds; people just want to relax on their holiday. However, there are always threats beachgoers — parents, especially — must consider. Here are some hidden dangers that can be found on the beach.

1. Sunburn

The National Ocean Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports that the biggest killer on the beach is the sunlight. Those of us with no or low melanin are more at risk from severe burns, though everyone is susceptible to heat.

Heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and heat cramps are all symptoms of people who spend too much time in high UV rays. Punctuating time in the sun with shade cover is one measure beach lovers must take.

2. Rip Currents

Strong rip tides are underwater currents that form between sets of waves, causing roughly 100 American deaths each year. Surfer Today lists five different types of rip currents, including permanent rips, fixed rips, and flash rips.

Anyone spending extended periods in the surf must become aware of what to do if caught in one. There are methods for escaping a rip tide, like not fighting against the current and waiting until it weakens. Of course, learning how to spot one is the best preventative measure.

3. Strong Waves

There are many types of waves on the beach, and the wave’s fetch (the distance it travels unaltered by land) dictates its power. Coastal sands are always shifting, sometimes creating sandbars that can cause violent waves — even at a low height.

Of course, it can be hilarious watching influencers slammed by shorebreak waves, though other videos can be haunting. A famous 2023 clip shows a young lady washed out to sea by heavy waves.

4. Tides

Every year in the United States, rising tides trap unsuspecting tourists, with many losing their lives. A tidal range is the level change between low and high tides. To demonstrate how dangerous some can be, TideGuide reports the Bay of Fundy in Canada can reach an astonishing 53 feet.

Tourists with low or no swimming skills must demonstrate huge caution when visiting high tidal range areas. One can only imagine the terror of being caught when the tide comes in — even for strong swimmers. If the depth doesn’t get you, the rocks will.

5. Jellyfish Stings

Who hasn’t visited a beach at low tide and seen dozens of large Haribo-like Jellyfish peppering the wet sand? While most jellyfish won’t give anything more than a nasty sting, some are deadly.

Residents of Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, or even North Carolina must be wary of some extreme jellyfish danger, namely the sea wasp. This jellyfish is a form of “box” jellyfish, a cube-like species that is more venomous than any other U.S. species. There’s an honorary mention for the Portuguese man-o-war, found in similar waters.

6. Drowning

One would think people are aware of the drowning risk when they visit the beach. Being unfamiliar with local sea behavior and tide times or ignoring beach flag warnings are just some ways to drown. Swimming at unguarded beaches is another.

The United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) published 2023 statistics showing that only 16 people drowned on guarded American beaches. This figure contrasts with the 104 drownings that happened in non-guarded areas.

7. Dehydration

With the excitement some people have for hitting the beach, they often leave important precautions behind, like hydrating properly. Bringing a quart of mineral water for an eight-hour stint at the beach is barely going to make a difference — especially in truly hot weather.

Jennifer Wilkes of Fontis Water believes pre-planning is key. “Begin drinking water before you even hit the sand,” she writes. “This helps ensure your body is adequately hydrated from the start.” For those wanting to slay dehydration, electrolyte powder drinks or a good stash of Gatorade is ideal.

8. Watersport Accidents

Those who like a laugh need to see Ozzy Man Reviews’ commentary on a viral speed boat crash to understand the perils of water and gas heads. However, watercraft accidents are a common feature of beach life.

There is a threat to passengers and beachgoers alike. A recent story involves an older couple who crashed their speedboat into a beach in California. Thankfully, nobody was sunbathing where they landed.

9. Stingrays

Depending on where you travel, the chances are you will be near a stingray — in tropical regions, especially. Not long after Steve Irwin died, I disturbed a spotted stingray in the Seychelles while snorkeling. Irwin’s name was all I could think of as I darted away in terror.

While Irwin was unfortunate that the stingray’s barb went into his heart and killed him, death is not likely for most. Regardless, one sting from a surprised stingray hidden in the sand will ruin any vacation.

10. Sand Erosion

It may not seem like much of an issue but sand erosion might lead to a nasty injury, not least when near a sand cliff. Beach awareness platform The Dune Doctor lists reasons why we should be wary of dunes or cliffs.

Citing Harvard medical researcher Bradley Maron, who studies sand holes, writer Frederique Beroset explains how dangerous an eroded sand cliff is. It might drop 2,000 lbs on an unsuspecting victim, especially following heavy rain or a hurricane.

11. Rocks

Some of the most picturesque beaches in the world are flanked by stunning cliffs, often creating lagoons or bays. However, with rock formations come falling rock dangers, though treading on sharp rocks can cause problems.

An illustration of severe rock peril happened on a Spanish beach in 2024 when falling rocks landed on a two-year-old girl. Tragically, she lost her life. She was just lying on the sand with her father, who was also injured.

12. Sandstorms

The beach is usually one of the windiest places on the map, so taking care when visiting during inclement weather makes sense. Even small sandstorms are unpleasant, but heavy winds can come from nowhere when you are by large pockets of water.

Floridians in Fort Lauderdale had a shock in 2022 when sudden winds ripped across local beaches. The spectacle of flying beach umbrellas is a sight to behold, albeit potentially deadly.

13. Trash

The best beaches in the world have communities that take pride in their sandy strips, banning disposable barbecues and monitoring behavior. Sadly, a growing contingent of beach users have decided the beach is the best place for their discarded debris.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers beach trash one of the biggest polluting factors, leading to poor beach health. Unfortunately, stepping on broken, discarded beer bottles is now a pitfall in the public beach network.

14. Coral Reefs

There are many stunning coral reef networks to enjoy in America’s Gulf State regions and beyond. Who doesn’t enjoy snorkeling among the shallows and admiring the sea life?

The biggest injury threats come from coral reef breaks, where a sudden wave might force a swimmer onto the reef. In extreme cases, surfers or swimmers can land violently, causing serious injuries or worse.

A prominent recent story on coral reef injury concerns Saturday Night Live host Colin Jost, who took a nasty tumble on coral at the Tahiti Olympics. His injury hurt him so badly, he had to withdraw from hosting coverage of the event.

15. Tsunamis

Tsunamis capture the imagination for many reasons, though one has to be the vicarious pleasure we get from seeing waves. It can’t be said for the poor souls who have experienced one, as several modern events show.

The Boxing Day Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004 is still the world’s most shocking for the scale of destruction it left behind, including 230,000 deaths. While this level event is not common, waves on Sumatra beaches nearest the epicenter measured 167 feet tall.

16. Lightning Strikes

Can you imagine traveling thousands of miles for a dream beach vacation only to get struck by lightning? This scenario is a reality for anyone visiting a tropical beach, where a tenuous relationship between heat and precipitation leaves the air volatile.

Numerous beach lightning strikes have claimed lives, though a horrific event took place on a  Michoacan beach in Mexico. In 2023, two people were killed by a lightning bolt as they strolled the sand. A video captured the shocking footage.

17. Flesh-Eating Bacteria

Warm, brackish coastal waters (a blend of sea and freshwater) are the perfect breeding ground for certain types of terrifying bacteria, namely vibrio vulnificus. Also known as “flesh-eating” bacteria, these microscopic monsters can enter your bloodstream through open wounds in water.

Of course, this is not found on most beaches, though anyone near shallow estuaries must take heed of the threat. Avoiding these waters if you have a low immune system or a recent wound is advisable. The CDC warns that one in five people who catch this will die.

18. Beach Theft

We all love the idea of hitting the water as your belongings rest on the beach chair, safe from other respectful beach lovers. It is probably still the case across most of the world, though certain beach zones don’t offer such sanctity.

Beach statistics researchers at Outforia have compiled a list of America’s worst beaches for human behavior. It isn’t good news for Venice Beach, California; Daytona Beach, Florida; and Waikiki Beach, Hawaii.

19. Sand Flies

There are certainly more threats in the water than on land, though sand does contain some unsavory characters that are best avoided. Sand flies can be the most irritating part of any beach holiday, not least if they burrow into your skin.

Sand fleas are not dangerous, though these critters are most common on beaches in South America, Africa, and Asia. The Cleveland Clinic shares bad news for Texas and Florida residents: they now have leishmania sand fleas, which can be deadly.

20. Red Tide

Harmful algae bloom (HAB), also known as “red tide” for its deep-red color, is most commonly a danger on the dinner plate. Oysters or other mollusks are susceptible to red tide poisoning, which can be fatal in the worst case.

Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) is an illness nobody wants to encounter, which leads to deadly respiratory paralysis. Furthermore, while it isn’t deadly to swimmers, it can cause severe skin or eye irritation. Researching red tides where you live or travel may save you serious discomfort.

21. Beach Fires and Barbecues

This category of risk should be grouped with trash, except this type of trash is especially dangerous. It’s all fair and well building your beach fire, but not putting it out properly can be bad news for unaware walkers.

A special mention is for those disposable barbecue users who think burying their smoldering aluminum tray is good practice. Stepping on hot, buried coals is a painful experience, as a seven-year-old Welsh girl found out in 2022.

22. Fishing Lines and Hooks

Depending on the beach, there might be a busy angling community. Beach fishing enthusiasts might discard used or unwanted hooks, creating hazards for barefoot wanderers.

An article on Emergency Medicine Saint John details the risks involved with fish hook injuries. If the painful hook removal isn’t enough, other implications like tetanus of marine bacteria may cause worse complications. Avoiding fishing beaches or reporting illegal fishing activity on public beaches might help.

23. People

Okay, this is a broad selection, though people are a threat to themselves and others in many settings, not least the beach. Beach vacations for some usually mean hot weather and too much alcohol. These two factors, mixed with low intelligence, are deadly.

It isn’t hard to find beach violence news reports. A good example of this happened on Santa Monica Beach in June, after one man received stab wounds after a brawl. However, beach shootings in the United States are becoming too common.

24. Sharks

Marine biologists will lament people warning of shark dangers, saying that people need not be scared of sharks. In the real world, the rest of us aren’t so sure. Of course, we have all heard the “they mistake humans for seals” arguments. Let’s be clear: if you go into shark’s territory, you have lost any moral or humane jurisdiction.

By far the busiest shark activity in America is in Florida, which features regularly among America’s most shark-infested beaches. While statistically, we are more likely to die falling from bed, it doesn’t matter — imagination is a powerful tool.