Beachgoers in Southern California are experiencing a notable increase in stingray encounters, with incidents of being struck by the marine animals' barbed tails rising significantly. This surge is attributed to a persistent marine heat wave that is warming coastal waters and drawing more stingrays closer to shore. Lifeguard stations at popular beaches, including Bolsa Chica and Huntington State Beaches, have reported a substantial uptick in stingray-related injuries compared to previous years.
At Bolsa Chica and Huntington State Beaches, more than 3,100 incidents have been recorded so far this year, double the total for all of 2025. The city of Huntington Beach alone has seen over 2,000 incidents this year, surpassing last year's total, while San Diego beaches logged over 900 stings in the first half of 2026, exceeding the count for the same period in any of the past five years.
"We're definitely seeing an increase," said Bryan R. Etnyre, state park superintendent in northern Orange County. "A lot of it is due to warming ocean temperatures that are consistently staying in the 60s."
Marine biologists suggest that warming ocean temperatures are creating favorable conditions for round stingrays, a subtropical species found from Panama to Southern California. These warmer waters, particularly lagoons, are preferred by female stingrays for reproduction. During summer, male stingrays exhibit higher metabolisms, driving them to seek food sources like invertebrates found in shallower coastal waters.
Chris Lowe, a professor of marine biology and director of the Shark Lab at California State University, Long Beach, noted that the populations of species that prey on stingrays, such as sharks and sea lions, have declined in recent years, contributing to an increase in the stingray population. "They're really a subtropical species that is thriving at the end of its range because of climate change," Lowe stated.
The ocean's warming trend is exacerbated by human-caused climate change, according to meteorologists. This year's marine heat wave, marking one of the longest-lasting warm spells on record for the West Coast, combined with the confirmed formation of an El Niño expected to reach historic strength, is further intensifying these conditions. Additionally, increased recreational activity at beaches since the coronavirus pandemic means more people are entering the water.
When people step on a stingray, the animal's natural defense is to flick its tail, using its venomous barbs. Lifeguards advise beachgoers to shuffle their feet when entering the water, a movement that often encourages stingrays to move away without an encounter.
Researchers have observed dense concentrations of stingrays in some areas, with one net sweep collecting approximately 200 rays in a single section of beach. Lowe anticipates potentially record numbers of stingrays near the shore, particularly during El Niño periods when more are drawn in from the south.
To mitigate the number of stings and protect the rays, efforts are underway to develop stingray advisories. Some beaches utilize apps to notify the public about multiple sting incidents in specific locations, and companies are developing protective surf booties, though caution is still advised. Most stingray injuries are treatable with hot water soaks, which help to alleviate the pain from the venom. If symptoms like redness and swelling persist for more than a few days, medical attention may be necessary to rule out infection or a retained barb.