Water Safety in California

California's coast is beautiful and often unforgiving. On most of the coast, and especially in Northern California, watch the ocean at all times, stay on high, dry sand away from the surf line, and swim only where lifeguards are on duty. On lakes and rivers, wear a life jacket, and remember that every motorboat driver now needs a California Boater Card.

California drowning and boating numbers

45 deaths

• Drowning: CDC puts California's average annual drowning death rate for 2018-2021 at 1.11 per 100,000 people (opens in a new tab), below the U.S. rate of 1.31 and in the lowest of CDC's four map bands. With a very large population, a low rate still means many families lose someone.
• Boating: The U.S. Coast Guard counted 377 reportable recreational boating incidents in California in 2024, with 45 deaths and 203 injuries (opens in a new tab). Deaths by year: 39 in 2020, 39 in 2021, 43 in 2022, 33 in 2023 and 45 in 2024.
• Boats: 596,703 registered vessels in 2024.

CDC counts drowning deaths of residents. The Coast Guard counts all deaths in reported boating incidents. Keep them separate. More on our California data page.

The coast: sneaker waves, rip currents and cold water

NOAA lists 3,427 miles of official shoreline (opens in a new tab) for California.

Sneaker waves. At Redwood National and State Parks, the National Park Service explains that sneaker waves are random, powerful surges that within 30-seconds will run hundreds of feet up the beach slope (opens in a new tab). The water is very cold and the beaches are steep. A Weather Service brochure for north coast beaches adds that there can be 30 minutes of small waves right before a set of larger sneaker waves strike (opens in a new tab), and that three to five people drown on the north coast each year from sneaker waves, cold water or going into the ocean to rescue dogs.

What to do:

• Keep your eyes on the water and stay well back from the wet sand.
• Stay off logs and exposed rocks near the surf.
• Keep children within arm's reach on the beach, not just in the water.
• If a dog or a person is swept in, call 911. Don't go in after them.

Rip currents and high surf. The same brochure says Northern California beaches always have rip currents and cold water (opens in a new tab), so they are not good for swimming without a wetsuit. Around San Francisco, the Park Service says most Golden Gate beaches are not recommended for swimming (opens in a new tab), with Stinson Beach a notable exception, and that children and adults have been swept away in rip currents even in shallow water. Learn how to spot and escape a rip current, and read about shore break and big waves.

Tsunamis. If you feel an earthquake on the coast, the Weather Service advice is to immediately move to high ground or inland and stay there (opens in a new tab).

California boating rules

From California's Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW):

• Boater Card: all operators of motorized vessels, regardless of age, are required to complete a safe boating course and carry a California Boater Card (opens in a new tab). The rule has applied to everyone since January 1, 2025. Details are on the DBW Boater Card page (opens in a new tab).
• Children: California law requires children under 13 to wear a life jacket on a moving vessel (opens in a new tab).
• Paddlers: kayaks, canoes and paddleboards must carry a properly fitted Coast Guard-approved life jacket for each person, a whistle or other sound device, and a white light between sunset and sunrise.

DBW also asks boaters to always dress for the water temperature to protect against cold water shock (opens in a new tab), check weather before and during a trip, stay sober and tell someone your plan. See cold water shock and paddleboard safety.

Free loaner life jackets

DBW says there are life jacket loaner stations at many waterways (opens in a new tab). Borrow one for the day and bring it back when you are done. Our guide to life jacket loaner stations explains how they work.

What you can do today

• Before a north coast trip, check the National Weather Service for sneaker wave and beach hazard statements.
• Teach your family: never turn your back on the ocean.
• Get your California Boater Card if you drive any motorized boat.
• Find the life jacket loaner station nearest your lake or river.
• Find swim lessons near you with our guide to finding swim lessons.