During a recent trip to Georgia, I stopped to stretch my legs in Macon. I stumbled upon a sprawling, wooded park right next to the highway called Amerson River Park.
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Halfway through my stroll, I hit water—and soon noticed a beware the alligators sign. I froze in my tracks. Being from Missouri and having lived in New York City before immigrating to Barcelona, Spain, I haven’t had too many encounters with gators. And being that I was over one hundred miles inland, I didn’t expect to run into any.
That’s an oops on my part.
Gators cover a huge portion of the Southeast’s wetlands, covering a range that goes as north as the coastal plains of North Carolina all the way to east Texas. Florida and Louisiana are the primary stomping grounds of this neo-dinos—but that’s just the start.
It was a slightly terrifying reminder that the US is still wilder than we think, especially city-dwellers like myself. After all, it’s not just alligators that we need to look out for when we’re near or on the water. The United States is home to other non-swim-friendly considerations, from sharks to riptides to good old-fashioned sewage.
If you want to swim in peace, here’s what to know about the places you shouldn’t swim in the United States.
Places you shouldn’t swim in the United States—or, at least, go prepared
New Smyrna Beach, Florida is the US’s shark attack capital
New Smyrna Beach in Florida holds the Guinness World Record for the most recorded shark attacks in the world. According to America Surf Magazine, there have been more than 300 non-fatal shark bite incidents in New Smyrna Beach since records were first taken starting in the 1880s.
What’s with the high count? The nearby Ponce de Leon Inlet brings nutrient-dense waters into the ocean, which attract fish that sharks like to eat. Toss in shallow sandbars that surfers love, and you’ve got a particularly deadly mélange of surfers, baitfish, and hungry sharks.
However, New Smyrna Beach has never recorded a fatal attack. Statistically speaking, more fatal attacks happen in Hawaii and California. That’s where the bigger sharks like great whites and tiger sharks hang out.
Florida tops the list in terms of rip currents—especially at PCB
Florida also comes out ahead when it comes to rip currents. Rip currents, also called riptides, are fast-moving water channels that move away from shore. They cut through waves, taking unlucky swimmers with them at speeds up to five miles an hour. Worse, they’re hard to detect—so always keep an eye on beach conditions, which are shown via flags. Green is good, red is bad. Yellow means you probably shouldn’t be in there.
So, which Florida beaches are more prone to rip currents? Panama City Beach is a notorious hotspot; the same currents that make for surfable waves also produce riptides. However, riptides can occur anywhere in the state and are prone to seasonal changes.
Currently, Weather.gov has high riptide risks listed for West Palm Beach south to Miami. Large portions of Florida’s Atlantic Coast and Gulf Coast have moderate risks for riptides at the moment. I highly recommend looking into beach conditions anytime you head to the Sunshine State.
Oregon Beaches are high rescue zones—and prone to ‘sneaker waves’
The same rugged wild that makes Oregon’s beaches so beautiful to behold also makes them deadly. They’re prone to rogue waves, also called sneaker waves, along with rolling beach logs and shockingly low water temperatures. Shifting tides can also trap beachgoers; high tide and low tide are dramatically different in many areas.
Regardless, you probably won’t be tempted to swim in the ocean in Oregon—it’s too rough, cold, and unpredictable. Still, be mindful when you head out on a sea kayaking adventure or on a long stroll. Conditions change quickly.
The East Coast & West Coast are tied for sewage-filled beaches
Forget sharks and sneaker waves—sewage is one of the most common issues that American beachgoers need to think about. Contamination most often happens after heavy rain and flooding, which washes sewage out into the water. It can also happen due to poor maintenance, accidental leaks, and other infrastructural problems.
On the West Coast, these areas of Southern California are prone to shutdowns due to poor water quality:
- Imperial Beach, San Diego; Laguna Beach; Long Beach
Here’s where to watch out for on the East Coast due to sewage spills and high algae blooms:
- Beaches in New York City; Long Island Sound beaches; dozens of New Jersey beaches, including Wildwood; multiple Massachusetts ponds, including Damon Pond Beach and Fearings Pond
Lake Eerie & Lake Michigan can get a little risky, too
Lake Michigan is prone to dangerous currents that make even a casual dip a little nerve-wracking. The lake is large enough to produce whitewater waves—and if they’re over three feet, dangerous currents could be lurking beneath. The lake doesn’t just deal with rip currents; there are three other types of powerful currents that can sweep you out from shore. Always be mindful of beach flag warning systems.
Lake Erie, on the other hand, is prone to contamination issues. Some beaches face seasonal algae blooms, while other areas experience sewage runoffs following rainstorms. You should see local advisories warning you when this is the case, as most Lake Erie beaches are clean.
