A Scenic California Beach Has Earned A Chilling Nickname For Its Dangerous Reputation

Tucked along the coastline of the fairytale California town Carmel-by-the-Sea, Monastery Beach is a beautiful stretch of sand that might look enticing for a day of swimming and sunbathing. However, when you hear its nickname is Mortuary Beach, you might reconsider. Monastery Beach is actually much more dangerous than it looks at first glance, and many people have tragically lost their lives here over the years.

Its official name comes from being across the highway from the Carmelite Monastery, which is home to the Nuns of Carmel. Its nickname comes from being what some have called the most dangerous beach in all of California. Similar to Mexico's Playa Solmar where swimming is prohibited, Monastery Beach has a cove shape that creates ferocious rip currents that can pull even the strongest swimmers out to sea.

What you can't see from the surface is the beach's steep slope ending in a trough of constantly churning deep water. These conditions cause waves to crash hard right on the shore with little to no warning. Swimmers pulled under will likely struggle to make it back up, as the waves keep coming with no relief, dragging them into the strong currents.

Anyone who dares brave the waters of Monastery Beach is playing a dangerous game of chicken with strong rip currents that have claimed at least 30 lives (although there may be many more). However, Monastery Beach is dangerous even for visitors keeping dry. Sleeper waves can sneak up with no warning and crash on the beach, catching people off-guard and dragging them into the water.

In 2015, Linda June was walking on the sand when she was hit by a surprise wave and dragged out to sea. Unfortunately, June may not have realized the danger since she was visiting from out of town. While locals are aware of the beach's reputation, tourists often have no clue. After June's death, her daughter, Laura Arrendondo, told the Monterey Herald they didn't see any warning signs. "When coming back from Big Sur we kept thinking what a beautiful beach. We never thought it would be dangerous; it looked calm. Who knew it would be deadly?" said Arrendondo.

Over the years, locals have pushed for better warning signs and measures to make the beach safer. In 2018, new signs were installed that included real news stories of previous drownings. Then, in 2019, a lifeguard tower was put on the beach with the express purpose of warning people not to even get near the water. On the very first day it was in operation, someone had to be rescued. It's no wonder Monastery Beach made Explore's list of the worst U.S. beaches in 2023.

In spite of its deadly reputation, Monastery Beach is a beautiful place to visit — as long as you know how to stay safe. For a safe experience, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, stay away from the water's edge. The waves are unpredictable and powerful, and they can take anyone strolling along the surf by surprise. Stick to the dry sand further up the beach and far away from the water. The key is to look, don't touch.

Whatever you do, do not attempt to swim or wade in the water. The currents are stronger than they look, and even experienced swimmers have drowned here. It's also wise to brush up on how to spot rip currents before any beach vacation. If you're looking for a safer place to swim, try nearby spots like Carmel Beach, Lovers Point Beach, and Asilomar State Beach. Children should always be closely supervised at the beach, and in the case of any emergency, it's advised to call 911 instead of attempting to rescue anyone from the water.

Despite the risks, Monastery Beach is still a popular diving spot, thanks to the rich marine life in the area. However, only experienced scuba divers should attempt it, and only when the weather permits and waves are calmer than usual. It's also recommended to avoid the center of the beach and stay closer to the north and south ends. In calm conditions, experienced sea kayakers can also enter the water from the south end of the beach, although there are safer sites in Point Lobos State Park.