We all know there are plenty of things to be afraid of in the ocean: jellyfish, shark bites, barracuda attacks, and even drowning--but what about when the terror of the tides has a more paranormal leaning? What if it's not what's living in the depths you need to be afraid of, but what's lurking on the beach? With the haunting season upon us, the editors of Shark Magazine combed the Internet for some of the scariest legends from haunted beaches around the world. From ghost ships to phantom swimmers, these stories will make you glad it's too cold for a swim.

1. Dumas Beach, India

Located in the Surat city of Gujarat, this beach has been the object of speculation, urban legends, and rumors for decades. There are four different beaches, but locals don't distinguish which has the most activity. The legends tell that these beaches have been used as burial grounds for Hindus, making them rife with wandering spirits. Visitors have reported hearing disembodied voices, whispers on the wind, being touched by unseen hands, and feeling watched while walking on the sands. There have been disappearances, some with normal explanations, and others are still a mystery. Visitors who have spent the night on the beach have reported hearing footsteps surrounding their tent, but not finding any footprints. Additionally, some people have spotted a man dressed in red walking from the ocean and vanishing once he hits the sand. No matter if it's urban legend or actual lore, the stories are enough to make me pick another vacation destination!

2. Higbee Beach, Cape May

There have been reports of strange sightings, otherworldly phenomena, and ghostly apparitions in this picturesque New Jersey seaside for decades. Cape May is the oldest seaside town in North America, and although it's beautiful with it's Victorian houses and sparkling water, the town has a dark, violent history. Plagues by privateers and wreckers searching for land, many were slain at the hands of greedy interlopers. Natural disasters like fires and floods caused devastation, with the Civil War and Prohibition bringing even more strife. With the history of the land, it would be more surprising if the town DIDN'T have a few spirits. One of the most popular stories is of a long deceased sea captain, standing at the top of the tunes, keeping an eternal watch from the afterlife. Another legend places a black dog, perhaps a hound of hell, all over the sands, appearing long enough to frighten beach goers and vanishing into nothing. His growls carry on the chilled cove air, making visitors wonder if it was just their imagination after all. The hound is often seen accompanied by a cloaked figure, who some believe is a guard to the underworld. All we know is that he definitely isn't a swimmer!

3. Swan's Island, Maine

As well as being the home of horror legend Stephen King, this tiny island off the coast of Maine is said to be haunted by several spirits. The first is the ghost of a mother, mourning the death of her infant. People have seen her standing at the shore with her child in her arms, crying and looking for help. But when they approach her, she vanishes. There are reports of hearing a baby cry, particularly at sundown, when no children are present. Others report seeing fiery orbs lingering over the sands, sometimes with human-looking faces at their centers, but always vanishing before anyone can confirm. While orbs are usually an explainable occurrence, those who have seen them say they come with a feeling of dread, as though something terrible is about to happen.

4. Half Moon Bay, California

This idyllic beach town has more than it's fair share of ghostly legends. From a woman in white wandering up and down the highway, to a tall, shadowy man in black stalking up and down the main drag, Half Moon Bay is a beach that bites back. One of the most notable locations is the Zaballa House, a quaint inn in the center of town. Guests report hearing voices in unoccupied rooms, having their blankets snatched from their beds in the middle of the night, mysterious scents of a woman's perfume, and eerie footsteps outside doors. While reports on the Zaballa House's website claim thin walls are to blame, the number of reports are staggering. There's no agreed upon legend from which these mysterious happenings spring, but visitors of Half Moon Bay are definitely experiencing something unexplained.

5. Jacksonville Beach Life Guard Station, Florida

Like most of the Sunshine State's historic coast, this building dates back to the war. Before it was primarily a lifeguard station, this building was used to care for anyone injured in an ocean accident--but it's rumored to be haunted by a victim who didn't survive. Known as "Todd," it's believed that the male apparition drowned while saving a young woman who had been swept out to sea. Employees and visitors of the unassuming lifeguard station have reported seeing a young, athletic man in blue shorts, but none of the station workers fit his description. Maybe he's hanging around, waiting to help other swimmers...

It's two months until Halloween, and I cannot wait any longer to start my scary movie marathons. I know, I know--sharks aren't technically a villain, but it's so much fun to watch them wreak havoc on unsuspecting swimmers! Like many people, my very first big screen shark was Jaws. I remember watching the film in absolute wonder, terror, and awe. I loved the smart scientist, a dedicated police officer, and the dumb kids who just wouldn't listen when they hollered for them to get out of the water. Even though I knew it was ridiculous, I also knew I was addicted. Since then, I've made it a point to see every single shark movie that comes out: the good, the bad, and the total chum-bait.

Even though it isn't quite the haunting season yet, I'm counting down my favorite scary shark movies. Sadly, sharks have regularly gotten the short end of the cinema stick. They're typically poorly rendered made-for-TV schlock, completely ignoring the innate power, grace, and fear of the magnificent creatures. Why give them three heads and make them radioactive when real life sharks are already pretty menacing? I mean, sure--it's fun. It really is. But it means my list has very few quality flicks and a lot of silly trash on it. So pop some corn, snuggle into your safe, dry, couch and get ready to take a bite out of date night with my favorite shark movies of all time.

DEEP BLUE SEA

How many shark movies have their own theme rap, complete with an absolutely ludicrous video by none other than LL Cool J? Just one, and that's really all you need. Clocking it an 105 ridiculous minutes, Deep Blue Sea was inspired by a shark attack victim screenwriter Duncan Kennedy saw wash up on the beach. He began having nightmares about being trapped in a tunnel with a shark who could read his mind. And hence a film about three genetically modified sharks who hunt said scientists because they are really super smart and also really into killing scientists I guess? Look, it doesn't matter--here is why you watch Deep Blue Sea: it's hilarious. Samuel L. Jackson gets dragged into the water during a dramatic speech and it just gets worse/better from there.

OPEN WATER

What Deep Blue Sea gives us in actual insanity, Open Water makes up for it in actual terror. What The Blair Witch Project did for the woods, Open Water does for the ocean. It follows a couple who go on a scuba diving trip to rekindle their relationship (classic premise, naturally) and ends with...well, it ends exactly the way you'd imagine a couple stuck in the middle of a shark attack ends. But what Open Water does brilliantly is build the tension. The couple are accidentally left behind in open water, while the rest of their scuba group heads off to drink out of coconuts or whatever. The next 60 or so minutes is tense, nail biting drama as sharks, jellyfish, and dehydration set in. The claustrophobic, intimate terror of a realistic situation is heightened by survival instincts, resulting in a sharp, scary thriller.

THE REEF

Yeah, it's kinda similar to Open Water--but look, there are only so many reasonable variables in shark movies. The genius of The Reef is found in director Andrew Traucki's ability to lead an ensemble cast through the events. There is a cohesion among the characters, and enough likability to care when one of their legs is severed. Unlike Open Water, The Reef follows a group of people who have just survived their yacht capsizing just twelve miles from an island--an easy enough swim, if you aren't being stalked by a Great White shark! Not only is The Reef legitimately horrific, but it's shot so beautifully, really embracing the natural surroundings...and decapitated turtles.

BAIT

Based on the synopsis alone, this movie is an unqualified success: "A grocery store robbery is interrupted by a freak tsunami which water logs the store and traps a hungry great white shark in there with the survivors." I'm already asking questions--how did the shark travel into the grocery store? How did the water stay so level? Where exactly are we again? This is what film professionals refer to as "an immediate hook." Get it? Pun intended. But really, as ridiculous as this premise is, there is more to Bait than just an improbably shark. It's actually a well done movie, and did well enough in box offices to garner a sequel called Deep Water. Sadly, the sequel was suspended based on what was described as "uncomfortable similarities" to the tragic disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. Yeah, I dunno either.

So that's the start of my list! Stay tuned for September's additions as I count down my favorite briny blockbusters and be sure to include your own in the comments. And hey, if you have a minute to spare, do yourself a favor and go watch the Deep Blue Sea rap. It will make your day.

It's every shark lovers favorite time of the year: Discovery Channel's Shark Week! Kicking off June 30th with all-new programming, this year's Shark Week promises to be more extreme than ever! From Hollywood horror hotshot Eli Roth's "Shark After Dark" to award-winning shark cinematographer Andy Casagrande's documentary on disappearing Great Whites "Isle of Jaws," to famed shark photographer Chris Fallows 8th Air Jaws adventure "Night Stalker," there is something for everyone.

But if you want to dive even deeper with your shark week game, why not host viewing parties for your pack? Encourage your friends to bring their favorite snack or beverage and turn your home into an underwater party pad with some blue light bulbs, sea salt scented candles, and a bubble machine. Since humans are apex predators, we'll eat just about anything but we rounded up some simple appetizers, drinks, and desserts to get you inspired to host your very own shark party.

Mini Lobster Roll Appetizers

The sweetness of fresh, juicy lobster with the tang of mayonnaise the crunch of toasted bread will have your guests in a feeding frenzy.

3.5 cups of cooked lobster meat (from four boiled 1-pound lobsters or tails), cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
2 tbsp finely chopped fresh chives
1 tsp coarse sea salt
1 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp smoked salt (optional)
1/4 tsp Old Bay seasoning
1/8 tspsssss cayenne pepper
2 tbsp salted butter
8 top-split hot dog buns or rolls, halved crosswise

Combine lobster, mayonnaise, lemon juice, chives, salt, pepper, smoked salt, Old Bay, and cayenne in a small bowl. Let stand for 30-45 minutes in the fridge for the flavors to meld. When you are ready to serve, heat butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, toast the buns or rolls until they are golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. Carefully transfer them to a paper-towel-lined plate as you work. Fill each bun with 1/4 cup lobster salad, garnish with a lemon wedge and hot sauce, if desired.

Tasty Tilapia Ceviche

Hey, sharks aren't the only ones who love the clean, salty taste of raw fish! Satisfy your inner Great White with this sharp, delicious, and surprisingly simple ceviche.

1.5 pounds of fresh tilapia, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 red onion, thinly diced
3/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice, plus wedges for serving
2 tomatoes, seeded and finely diced
3 avocados, halved, pitted and cut into 1/2-inch pieces (tip: sprinkle with lime juice after cutting to prevent browning)
1/2 English cucumber, peeled, seeded, and coarsely chopped into cubes
1/4 cup freshly chopped cilantro (optional)
Coarse sea salt, freshly ground pepper, chili powder
Hot sauce
Your favorite tortilla chips for serving

Combine the raw tilapia, onion, and lime juice in a large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate for about 15-20 minutes in the fridge. Remove and drain, pressing into strainer to remove excess liquid. Return the fish mixture to the bowl and stir in tomatoes, avocado, cucumbers, and cilantro. Season with salt, pepper, chili powder and hot sauce. Serve immediately with tortilla chips and lime wedges.

Chum Buckets

Think less smelly shark bait and more thoughtfully scattered snack mix to keep hunger at bay while guests are arriving. Grab some inexpensive plastic sand buckets from a local dollar store and fill them with Chex Mix, pretzels, Goldfish crackers, mixed nuts, trail mix, or any other nibbles. Not only will they look adorable, but they're great for little people who want to join the party.

No matter how you celebrate the best time of year for shark enthusiasts, be sure to catch all of the fascinating programming and share your love for the apex preadators of the deep.