What should I do with a beach hole before I leave?

Fill in every hole before you leave the beach. If you find an abandoned hole, consider filling it in when you can do so safely.

Beach hole safety

Keep beach holes below knee height and fill them in

The National Park Service says not to dig deeper than your knees. Fill every hole before you leave.

This is general National Park Service safety guidance. Rules from Cape Hatteras and Canaveral do not apply as Surfside Beach law.

Do not dig a hole deeper than your knees when standing in it.

Unstable sand can collapse into a deep hole. Continued collapse can make a rescue difficult and dangerous.

A changing tide can fill holes near the water and make the sand act like quicksand.

A hole can injure someone walking on the beach, especially a small child or someone in low light.

A hole can endanger emergency responders, patrol staff, and biological technicians working on the beach.

A hole can trap a nesting sea turtle or hatchling.

Fill in every hole before you leave the beach.
If you find an abandoned hole, consider filling it in when you can do so safely.

How deep should I dig a hole on the beach?: Do not dig a hole deeper than your knees when standing in it.; Source: NPS Cape Hatteras beach hole safety guide (opens in a new tab)
Why can a beach hole collapse?: Unstable sand can collapse into a deep hole. Continued collapse can make a rescue difficult and dangerous.; Source: NPS Cape Hatteras beach hole safety guide (opens in a new tab)
Why are abandoned beach holes dangerous?: Incoming tide: A changing tide can fill holes near the water and make the sand act like quicksand. People walking: A hole can injure someone walking on the beach, especially a small child or someone in low light. Responders and beach staff: A hole can endanger emergency responders, patrol staff, and biological technicians working on the beach. Sea turtles: A hole can trap a nesting sea turtle or hatchling.; Source: NPS Cape Hatteras beach hole safety guide (opens in a new tab)
What should I do with a beach hole before I leave?: Fill in every hole before you leave the beach. If you find an abandoned hole, consider filling it in when you can do so safely.; Source: NPS Canaveral 2026 compendium (opens in a new tab)