HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA— Southern California beachgoers are encountering far more stingrays this year as unusually warm coastal waters bring the animals closer to shore, contributing to thousands of reported stings.
Recommended to do the Stingray shuffle when walking in beach – drag your feet in sand to send vibrations lets Stingrays know you are coming
More than 3,100 stingray incidents have been reported at Bolsa Chica and Huntington State Beaches so far in 2026, approximately twice the number reported during all of 2025, according to reporting from The Associated Press.
The city of Huntington Beach has separately recorded more than 2,000 incidents along its 3.5-mile shoreline, while San Diego beaches recorded more than 900 stings during the first half of 2026, the highest first-half total there in at least five years.
The increase comes as a marine heat wave continues to affect parts of the West Coast, creating conditions particularly favorable to round stingrays.
Why Are There So Many Stingrays Near Southern California Beaches?
Round stingrays are commonly found in Pacific waters stretching from Panama north to Southern California.
The rays tend to move into shallow coastal waters when conditions are calm and warm. That can put them directly in the path of swimmers, surfers and people wading into the ocean.
According to marine experts cited by the AP, Southern California’s coastal waters have remained unusually warm, including throughout periods of the year when temperatures would typically fall.
A persistent marine heat wave is adding to longer-term ocean warming, while El Niño conditions can also encourage more stingrays to move north and closer to Southern California’s shoreline.
The result is an unfortunate combination: more stingrays near shore at the same time warmer weather and water are attracting more people to the beach.
Researchers have also pointed to changes in the marine ecosystem. Some animals that prey on stingrays, including sharks, sea lions and giant sea bass, have experienced population changes that may affect the number of rays.
Huntington Beach Is Seeing Thousands of Stings
Orange County has emerged as one of the major hotspots.
Bolsa Chica State Beach and Huntington State Beach have reported thousands of incidents this year, while nearby Seal Beach has long been known for large concentrations of stingrays.
One area of Seal Beach has even earned the nickname “Ray Bay” because warm water near the shoreline can attract significant numbers of rays.
Researchers studying the animals have found that stingrays can sometimes gather so densely that large portions of the sandy ocean floor are occupied by them.
For beachgoers, that makes simply stepping into shallow water a potential encounter.
Why Do Stingrays Sting People?
Stingrays generally aren’t swimming toward people looking to attack them.
Most injuries occur when someone accidentally steps on a stingray hiding or resting beneath the sand.
When threatened or stepped on, a stingray can rapidly raise its tail and strike with a sharp, venomous barb.
The resulting injury can be extremely painful, particularly when the barb strikes a foot or ankle.
That’s why lifeguards and marine experts routinely recommend a simple technique when entering Southern California waters.
What Is the “Stingray Shuffle”?
Instead of taking normal steps through shallow ocean water, beachgoers can shuffle their feet along the sandy bottom.
The movement and vibration can alert nearby stingrays that something is approaching, giving the animals an opportunity to move away.
The technique is commonly called the “stingray shuffle.”
It doesn’t guarantee that someone won’t encounter a ray, but it can reduce the likelihood of unexpectedly stepping directly on one.
The technique becomes particularly relevant during warmer months and periods when large numbers of rays have gathered close to shore.
What Should You Do If a Stingray Stings You?
Beachgoers who are stung should alert a lifeguard when one is available.
A common treatment for stingray injuries involves soaking the affected area in hot water, which can help reduce the intense pain associated with the venom.
Most stingray injuries don’t require extensive medical treatment, but persistent swelling, redness or other symptoms can indicate complications such as infection or a fragment of the barb remaining in the wound.
More serious symptoms should receive medical attention.
Beachgoers should also avoid assuming that the injury is harmless simply because the initial pain begins to disappear.
Could Stingray Encounters Continue Increasing?
Researchers are studying ways to give beachgoers better warnings when stingray activity is particularly high.
Potential approaches include stingray advisories similar to other beach-condition warnings. Some beaches already use digital systems to notify visitors when multiple stingray injuries are occurring in the same area.
Researchers are also studying protective equipment, including specialized footwear designed to provide additional protection against stingray barbs.
But warmer ocean conditions could make encounters between people and stingrays increasingly common along Southern California’s coastline.
For now, beachgoers don’t necessarily need to avoid the ocean.
They may simply need to remember one additional piece of Southern California beach etiquette before stepping into the Pacific:
Shuffle your feet.
Source and further reading: This article includes information reported by The Associated Press, including stingray incident data and interviews with marine researchers and Southern California officials.
