Water Safety in Indiana

Indiana's Lake Michigan beaches are only a short stretch of shore, but they need ocean-style caution. Swim where lifeguards are on duty, watch for rip currents on wavy days, and keep small children within arm's reach, because the lake bottom has holes and sudden drop-offs. In winter, admire the shelf ice from the beach and stay off it.

Indiana drowning and boating numbers

1.25 per 100,000

• Drowning: CDC puts Indiana's average annual drowning death rate for 2018-2021 at 1.25 per 100,000 people (opens in a new tab), in the second-lowest band on its map.
• Boating: The U.S. Coast Guard counted 46 reportable recreational boating incidents in Indiana in 2024, with 4 deaths and 14 injuries (opens in a new tab). Deaths by year: 8 in 2020, 7 in 2021, 11 in 2022, 4 in 2023 and 4 in 2024.
• Shoreline: NOAA lists 45 miles of official Great Lakes shoreline (opens in a new tab) for Indiana.

CDC counts drowning deaths of residents; the Coast Guard counts boating incidents. See our Indiana data page.

The Lake Michigan shore

Indiana Dunes National Park has fifteen miles of sandy beach along the southern shore of Lake Michigan (opens in a new tab). The Park Service's safety notes:

• Rip currents: they pose the most significant threat of drowning in Lake Michigan (opens in a new tab). They often form on wavy days when the wind is out of the north, and near seawalls, artificial reefs and erosion control structures. Obey posted rip current warnings. If one pulls you out, follow it or swim parallel to shore until the pull eases.
• Drop-offs: the bottom is uneven with holes and deep drop-offs (opens in a new tab), which are very dangerous to small children and non-swimmers. Parents must keep a constant watch, and young children should be within arm's reach at all times.
• Wind: strong winds blowing away from the beach can carry rafts and beach toys out.
• Bacteria: stay out of the water when signs warn of high bacteria counts.

The National Weather Service adds that whitewater means waves are at least 3 feet and dangerous currents may be present (opens in a new tab), and that swimmers should stay at least 100 yards from piers. Read rip currents and jetties and piers.

Lifeguards at Indiana Dunes

At Indiana Dunes National Park, West Beach has lifeguards from the Friday of Memorial Day weekend through the Monday of Labor Day weekend (opens in a new tab), from 10 am to 6 pm. Plan family swims for a guarded beach during those hours. Our guide why swimming near a lifeguard matters explains why.

Winter: stay off the shelf ice

In winter, shelf ice forms along the Lake Michigan shore. The Park Service says to enjoy the view from a distance and stay off the shelf ice (opens in a new tab), because it is full of hidden thin spots and gaps that people can fall through. For inland lakes and ponds, read ice thickness safety before you step out.

Indiana boating rules

The State of Indiana says the operator of a motorboat of more than 10 horsepower must have a valid driver's license (opens in a new tab), or be at least 15 years old, have passed a boater education course and carry an identification card from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (IC 14-15-11). Federal law requires children under 13 to wear a life jacket on a moving boat (opens in a new tab).

This is a summary, not legal advice. Check with the state before you go.

Official Indiana resources

• Indiana Dunes National Park beach and swimming safety (NPS) (opens in a new tab)
• Indiana motorboat operator age rules (opens in a new tab)
• National Weather Service Great Lakes beach safety (opens in a new tab)

What you can do today

• Check the Lake Michigan beach forecast and rip current warnings before you go.
• Choose a guarded beach, and keep small children within arm's reach in the water.
• Leave inflatable rafts at home on days with offshore wind.
• Make a family rule: no walking on shelf ice.
• Find lessons with our guide to finding swim lessons.