Realizing your wallet was stolen while you were swimming in the ocean can quickly ruin an otherwise perfect beach day.

Most beach vacationers look forward to frolicking in the water and basking in the sunshine, but forget how leaving their personal belongings unattended on the sand puts them at risk of being pilfered. While this doesn't mean people should avoid the beach, it should prompt them to take safety precautions, like making sure they lock their car and always having someone watching their bags.

Some beaches may be safer than others, at least when it comes to theft. To determine which U.S. beaches have the most crime, The Action Network analyzed the crime statistics of 500 popular beaches' Zip codes from crimegrade.org, with theft weighted most heavily, followed by robbery, vehicle theft and burglary.

It turns out that major resort hubs such as Maui's Kaanapali Beach were the safest. Even at high-theft beaches, more than 92% of recorded incidents were non-violent, mostly comprising unattended bags or rental car break-ins.

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There's no shortage of beautiful beaches in world, but there some that stand out from the rest with their truly spectacular landscapes and unique features. Tripadvisor recently released its annual 2026 Travelers' Choice Awards: Best of the Best Beaches, highlighting the top beaches based off millions of reviews by real travelers. "For many travelers, the beach is the main event," said Laurel Greatrix, chief communications officer at Tripadvisor. Here are the world's top 10 beaches for 2026, according to Tripadvisor.
There's no shortage of beautiful beaches in world, but there some that stand out from the rest with their truly spectacular landscapes and unique features. Tripadvisor recently released its annual 2026 Travelers' Choice Awards: Best of the Best Beaches, highlighting the top beaches based off millions of reviews by real travelers. "For many travelers, the beach is the main event," said Laurel Greatrix, chief communications officer at Tripadvisor. Here are the world's top 10 beaches for 2026, according to Tripadvisor.
Rounding the ranking is South Africa's Boulders Beach Penguin Colony, which also leads Tripadvisor's newest list of "One of a Kind" beaches, recognized for their unique experiences. Massive granite boulders are situated around this beach, also inhabited by protected colonies of African penguins.
Rounding the ranking is South Africa's Boulders Beach Penguin Colony, which also leads Tripadvisor's newest list of "One of a Kind" beaches, recognized for their unique experiences. Massive granite boulders are situated around this beach, also inhabited by protected colonies of African penguins.
Bordered by pine trees, this sprawling beach in Sydney, Australia is popular amongst surfers, but beachgoers also adore its bustling promenade.
Bordered by pine trees, this sprawling beach in Sydney, Australia is popular amongst surfers, but beachgoers also adore its bustling promenade.
Located on the romantic Italian island of Sardinia, La Pelosa has crystal-clear waters with picturesque ancient watchtowers in the distance.
Located on the romantic Italian island of Sardinia, La Pelosa has crystal-clear waters with picturesque ancient watchtowers in the distance.
The only American beach to score a spot on the global ranking, La Jolla Cove in San Diego is a protected marine reserve where sea lions roam and visitors can sunbathe or kayak.
The only American beach to score a spot on the global ranking, La Jolla Cove in San Diego is a protected marine reserve where sea lions roam and visitors can sunbathe or kayak.
Located on the Thai island of Ko He, Banana Beach is beloved by divers and snorkelers who enjoy exploring its vibrant coral reefs. Many travelers visit the stunning beach on a short day trip from Phuket.
Located on the Thai island of Ko He, Banana Beach is beloved by divers and snorkelers who enjoy exploring its vibrant coral reefs. Many travelers visit the stunning beach on a short day trip from Phuket.
In 2024, Praia da Falésia stole the No. 1 spot as the best beach in the world. This year, the Portuguese beach's dramatic ombre cliffs still landed it in No. 5.
In 2024, Praia da Falésia stole the No. 1 spot as the best beach in the world. This year, the Portuguese beach's dramatic ombre cliffs still landed it in No. 5.
Consistently landing on Tripadvisor's best beach rankings, Aruba's Eagle Beach stuns visitors with its soft white sand and iconic Fofoti trees that grow toward the turquoise sea.
Consistently landing on Tripadvisor's best beach rankings, Aruba's Eagle Beach stuns visitors with its soft white sand and iconic Fofoti trees that grow toward the turquoise sea.
In third place is another Greek beach, Balos Lagoon on the island of Crete. This wide stretch of sand, offers vividly turquoise waters reachable by a steep trek down from the parking lot.
In third place is another Greek beach, Balos Lagoon on the island of Crete. This wide stretch of sand, offers vividly turquoise waters reachable by a steep trek down from the parking lot.
Falling one spot from its title as the world's best beach in 2025, Greece's Elafonissi Beach is famous for its uniquely pink sand created by crushed seashells.
Falling one spot from its title as the world's best beach in 2025, Greece's Elafonissi Beach is famous for its uniquely pink sand created by crushed seashells.
Earning No. 1 as the world's best beach, Isla Pasion in Cozumel, Mexico looks as if it's right off a postcard. This tiny island sits right off the coast of Cozumel, about a 10-minute boat ride away, where its warm, clear waters and white sand await travelers.
Earning No. 1 as the world's best beach, Isla Pasion in Cozumel, Mexico looks as if it's right off a postcard. This tiny island sits right off the coast of Cozumel, about a 10-minute boat ride away, where its warm, clear waters and white sand await travelers.

There's no shortage of beautiful beaches in world, but there some that stand out from the rest with their truly spectacular landscapes and unique features.

Tripadvisor recently released its annual 2026 Travelers' Choice Awards: Best of the Best Beaches, highlighting the top beaches based off millions of reviews by real travelers. "For many travelers, the beach is the main event," said Laurel Greatrix, chief communications officer at Tripadvisor.

Here are the world's top 10 beaches for 2026, according to Tripadvisor.

"When planning a summer getaway, travelers rarely think about property crime, but unattended phones, wallets, and car keys on the sand can be easy targets," said Kathy Morris, spokesperson for The Action Network. "By factoring daily tourist crowds into our analysis alongside local census data, we calculated the true individual risk for beachgoers across the country. The good news for vacationers is that over 90% of beach-area incidents are non-violent property theft, meaning a little extra situational awareness is usually all it takes to keep your belongings safe while enjoying the shore."

Here are the U.S. beaches with the highest and lowest risk of theft.

People enjoy the beach during a warm day in Santa Monica, California, U.S., January 15, 2026. REUTERS/Daniel Cole
People enjoy the beach during a warm day in Santa Monica, California, U.S., January 15, 2026. REUTERS/Daniel Cole

Laupahoehoe Beach Park, Hawaii

Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area, Oregon

Van Damme State Park, California

New Smyrna Town Beach, Florida

Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Kathleen Wong is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY. She's the author of "The Conscious Traveller Hawai'i" and is based in Hawaii.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Beachgoers, beware: US beaches with highest, lowest crime rates