Rising Stingray Incidents at Southern Californian Beaches

Jake Hemann went surfing at Bolsa Chica State Beach in Huntington Beach, California. His surfing session ended with a painful sting on his foot, a scenario many are experiencing in Southern California. As a result, Hemann found himself at the lifeguard station soaking his injured foot along with others who suffered similar fates.

The number of stingray incidents at popular beaches like Bolsa Chica has increased significantly. This surge aligns with a marine heat wave that draws more stingrays to the shore. Hemann, a tourist from New Mexico, mistook the sting for stepping on a sharp stick while learning to surf. “It hurt pretty bad,” he mentioned as he soaked his throbbing foot in hot water to alleviate the pain.

Beach data indicates more than 3,100 stingray incidents at Bolsa Chica and Huntington State Beaches this year, doubling last year’s numbers. In Huntington Beach alone, over 2,000 incidents have occurred. San Diego beaches recorded over 900 stings in the first half of 2026, marking the highest in past years. “We’re definitely seeing an increase,” noted Bryan R. Etnyre, the state park superintendent in northern Orange County, attributing this to warming ocean temperatures.

Round stingrays are found from Panama to Southern California. These rays are drawn to shore when the water is warm. Sharks, sea lions, and giant sea bass, which prey on stingrays, have dwindling populations. Thus, stingrays have seen a population boost in recent years, according to Chris Lowe, a marine biology professor at California State University, Long Beach.

Stingrays prefer warmer waters, such as lagoons. Female stingrays reproduce in these waters, and during summer, males increase their feeding activities along shores. “They’re really a subtropical species,” said Lowe. The ocean has warmed due to human-induced climate change. In 2026, a marine heat wave hit parts of the West Coast. This marked the third such event recorded by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

More people have flocked to beaches during the pandemic, increasing the likelihood of encounters with stingrays. When stepped on, stingrays instinctively flick their tails, injecting venomous barbs. Lifeguards advise beachgoers to shuffle their feet while wading to avoid stings. Southern California lifeguards treat around 10,000 stingray injuries annually.

Seal Beach’s “ray bay,” near a power plant, sees concentrated stingray activity, though this year, sting rates remained stable. Researchers using a large net caught about 200 stingrays one morning. “They can actually carpet the bottom,” Lowe reported, expecting record numbers during El Niño events.

Lowe aims to develop a stingray advisory on television broadcasts to reduce stings. Most beaches use apps to warn of stingray hotspots. A company has released barb-resistant surf booties, but caution is advised to avoid trampling rays.

At Bolsa Chica, those affected by stings soak their feet to alleviate pain. Most stings don’t require more medical attention, but prolonged redness or swelling might indicate complications needing medical review, according to Dr. Christanne Coffey from the University of California, San Diego Health.

Allen Lowry, who was stung while with his grandson, sought relief at a lifeguard station. Though painful, it won’t deter him from swimming regularly. “Usually, once the pain subsides, you feel fine the next day,” he stated.