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Florida has 7 of nation’s 10 ‘deadliest beaches.’ Shark attacks put one at the top

Florida has seven of the nation’s 10 “deadliest beaches,” according to a travel survey, and shark attacks were a key factor.

New Smyrna Beach, 105 miles southeast of Jacksonville, topped the list with 32 shark attacks since 2010, Travel Lens reports.

Surf zone deaths and hurricane frequency were also factored in to create a “danger score,” the online publication said in a Jan. 27 article.

“The deadliest beach in the US is Florida’s New Smyrna Beach, with an overall danger score of 8.14,” Travel Lens said.

“New Smyrna Beach had more shark attacks than any other beach at 32. This was more than twice as many as any other US beach. However, this beach isn’t all bad. The food scene is excellent.”

These are “America’s Top 10 Deadliest Beaches,” according to Travel Lens.
These are “America’s Top 10 Deadliest Beaches,” according to Travel Lens.

New Smyrna Beach has had 10 surf zone deaths since 2010 and saw 120 hurricanes since 1851, the site reported.

The beach recorded its latest fatality just days after the list was released. A firefighter with the Ormond Beach Fire Department was found “unresponsive in the surf” on Feb. 1. He was pronounced dead Jan. 5 at a hospital, Ormond Beach city officials reported.

New Smyrna Beach covers 17 miles and is known for its “highly rated surfing,” the New Smyrna Beach Area Visitors Bureau reports.

This beach in North Carolina is among 10 ‘deadliest’ in the nation, travel site says

In addition to New Smyrna Beach, other Florida sites included in the Top 10:

  • Cocoa Beach (No. 2)

  • Ormond Beach (No. 3)

  • Panama City Beach (No. 4)

  • Melbourne Beach (No. 6)

  • Jacksonville Beach (No. 7)

  • Fort Lauderdale (No. 10)

“Panama City Beach ... has reported 24 surf zone fatalities since 2010, which is more than any other beach,” Travel Lens said.

“Out of the top 10 states with the highest number of surf zone fatalities, five of them are located in Florida.”

Travel Lens is an online travel publication “dedicated to featuring high-quality travel articles about worldwide destinations, best hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars, and many more.”

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