Warm Waters Bring More Stingray Stings to Southern California Beaches
Stingray injuries are surging along Southern California beaches as a marine heat wave warms coastal waters and draws more people and rays to the shore.
A dip in the ocean off Southern California is turning into a painful experience for more beachgoers this year. Lifeguards across the region are reporting a significant rise in stingray injuries, a trend they attribute to unusually warm ocean temperatures that are bringing both rays and swimmers closer to shore.
At Bolsa Chica State Beach, a common sight is injured visitors soaking their feet in buckets of hot water at the lifeguard station. Jake Hemann, a tourist from New Mexico, described the pain as radiating up his ankle after he stepped on a ray while learning to surf. The hot water soak is the standard treatment to ease the venom's effect.
Data from lifeguards shows the scale of the increase. Bolsa Chica and Huntington State Beaches have recorded more than 3,100 incidents this year, double the total for all of 2025. The city of Huntington Beach's shoreline has already seen over 2,000 stings, surpassing last year's count. San Diego beaches logged more than 900 stings in the first half of the year, the highest number for that period in five years.
State park superintendent Bryan R. Etnyre points to consistently warm water as the main driver. Ocean temperatures have stayed in the 60s all winter, a condition that favors round stingrays, a subtropical species that typically thrives in warmer lagoons. Marine biologist Chris Lowe of California State University, Long Beach, explains that female rays prefer warm water for reproduction, while males seek food along the shore during warmer months.
The warming is part of a broader pattern. A marine heat wave has persisted off the West Coast, and officials have confirmed the formation of an El Niño expected to strengthen. Climate change is also raising baseline ocean temperatures. At the same time, more people are heading to beaches for outdoor recreation, and warm water encourages swimming.
Rays sting defensively when stepped on, flicking their venomous tail barbs. Lifeguards advise wading with a shuffling step to alert rays and let them move away. Researchers recently netted around 200 rays on a single stretch of beach, describing the bottom as carpeted with them.
Most stings are painful but not serious. Dr. Christanne Coffey of UC San Diego Health notes that persistent redness or swelling beyond a few days could signal an infection or a retained barb. For most, the pain fades within a day. Allen Lowry, a regular swimmer who was stung while playing with his grandson, said the experience won't keep him out of the water.
Beaches are using apps to alert visitors to sting activity, and some companies sell barb-resistant booties. Lifeguards continue to urge caution, both for the safety of swimmers and the rays, which play a role in keeping the beach ecosystem healthy.