As climate change accelerates, rising sea levels are becoming an urgent global concern, especially for coastal regions.
Beaches around the world are on the front lines, facing steady erosion and the threat of vanishing shorelines.
Many of the world’s most beloved beach destinations are projected to lose hundreds, even thousands, of feet of shoreline by the year 2100.
From Africa to Asia, and from the Americas to Europe, the impact is global and far-reaching.
Below is a list of the 20 fastest sinking beach cities due to rising sea levels, places where the sand may soon slip into the sea.
1. Landmark Beach, Nigeria:
This beach is projected to experience the largest average shoreline shrinkage by 2100 among the locations studied.
Data from the European Commission, utilized by Hawaiian Islands, estimates a significant loss of 3,012 feet of shoreline. This places it at the top of the list for expected shrinkage.
2. Mackenzie Beach, Cyprus:
Ranking second for projected shrinkage, Mackenzie Beach in Cyprus faces a considerable loss by the year 2100.
According to the analysis using European Commission data, the average shoreline shrinkage for this location is estimated to be 2,168 feet.
3. Spiaggia La Cinta Beach, Italy:
Located in Italy, Spiaggia La Cinta Beach is projected to see substantial changes to its shoreline by 2100. The study indicates an estimated average shrinkage of 1,687 feet. This places it among the top locations expected to lose the most sandy area.
4. Pria Da Costa Do Sol, Mozambique:
This beach in Mozambique, Pria Da Costa Do Sol, is included in the list of locations with significant projected shoreline shrinkage by 2100.
The analysis suggests an estimated average decrease of 1,488 feet for this area, highlighting the potential impact of rising sea levels.
5. Kuakata Sea Beach, Bangladesh:
Kuakata Sea Beach in Bangladesh is projected to experience considerable shoreline loss by the year 2100. The European Commission data used in the study indicates an estimated average shrinkage of 1,186 feet for this location, placing it high on the list of impacted beaches.
6. Kabyar Wa Beach, Myanmar:
In Myanmar, Kabyar Wa Beach is identified as a location projected to see significant shoreline shrinkage by 2100.
The study estimates an average loss of 1,154 feet for this area, reflecting the potential future changes to its sandy coastline.
7. Entry of Elegushi Beach, Nigeria:
Another Nigerian beach on the list, Entry of Elegushi Beach, is also projected to face substantial shoreline reduction by 2100.
The analysis indicates an estimated average shrinkage of 1,109 feet for this location, showing its vulnerability to rising sea levels.
8. Royal Commission Beach Yanbu, Saudi Arabia:
Royal Commission Beach Yanbu in Saudi Arabia is projected to experience considerable shoreline shrinkage by 2100.
Based on the European Commission data, the estimated average loss for this beach is 1,103 feet, ranking it among the top locations with expected changes.
9. Simaisma North Beach, Qatar:
This beach in Qatar, Simaisma North Beach, is projected to see significant changes to its shoreline by 2100.
The study estimates an average shrinkage of 980 feet for this location, indicating potential impacts from rising sea levels and potentially local factors.
10. Al Thakhira Beach, Qatar:
Another beach located in Qatar, Al Thakhira Beach, is included in the list of areas projected to experience substantial shoreline shrinkage.
The analysis using European Commission data suggests an estimated average decrease of 915 feet by 2100.
11. Playa Akumal, Mexico:
Playa Akumal in Mexico is projected to face notable shoreline shrinkage by the year 2100. The study estimates an average loss of 872 feet for this popular tourist location, highlighting potential future challenges due to rising sea levels.
12. Ngapali Beach, Myanmar:
Ngapali Beach in Myanmar is also projected to experience significant shoreline reduction by 2100. The analysis indicates an estimated average shrinkage of 819 feet for this location, placing it among the world’s tourist beaches expected to lose the most sandy area.
13. Patenga Sea Beach, Bangladesh:
Patenga Sea Beach in Bangladesh is listed among the locations projected to experience substantial shoreline shrinkage by 2100.
The study estimates an average loss of 806 feet for this area, underscoring the potential vulnerability of its coastline.
14. Beach of Morro Branco, Brazil:
Located in Brazil, the Beach of Morro Branco is projected to see considerable changes to its shoreline by 2100.
The analysis suggests an estimated average shrinkage of 737 feet for this beach, indicating its inclusion in the list of most impacted areas.
15. St. Brelade’s Bay Beach, Jersey:
St. Brelade’s Bay Beach in Jersey is projected to experience significant shoreline shrinkage by 2100. The study estimates an average loss of 701 feet for this location, placing it among the tourist beaches expected to lose the most sandy area due to rising sea levels.
16. Cape Henlopen State Park, United States:
One of the two U.S. locations in the top 20, Cape Henlopen State Park in the United States is projected to face substantial shoreline shrinkage by 2100. The estimated average loss for this area is 672 feet, according to the study.
17. Playa Veracruz, Panama:
Playa Veracruz in Panama is included in the list of beach locations projected to experience significant shoreline shrinkage by 2100.
The analysis suggests an estimated average decrease of 664 feet for this area, based on the data used in the study.
18. Dado Beach, Israel:
Dado Beach in Israel is projected to see considerable changes to its shoreline by 2100. The study estimates an average shrinkage of 661 feet for this location, ranking it among the top 20 tourist beaches expected to lose the most sandy area.
19. Clearwater Beach, United States:
The second U.S. location in the top 20, Clearwater Beach in the United States, is projected to experience substantial shoreline shrinkage by 2100. The analysis estimates an average loss of 635 feet for this area, based on the European Commission data.
20. Blavand Beach, Denmark:
Blavand Beach in Denmark is the final location on the list of 20 projected to experience the largest average shoreline shrinkage by 2100. The study estimates an average decrease of 601 feet for this beach, according to the data used.
Alicia Richards