When summertime arrives, it is inevitable for us to look for ways to cool ourselves. Jumping in the water seems to be a pretty common and ideal way to do it. We fish our phones from our pockets and start searching for the nearest body of water for that much-needed summer getaway. However, we don’t know what’s in store for us in some of these beautiful lakes, seas or rivers. Some of them have snakes, deadly poison, sharks and other lethal elements that can cause our early demise. Here are some of the world’s most dangerous places to swim. So dive in, er… read on! Just remember that you’ve been warned.
40 Places You Should Never Swim Insurance Wont Help Here
The Boiling Lake
This lake is located in Dominica and it is one of the most dangerous places to dive in. Why? It’s obviously because of the scalding temperature of the water. The reason for this phenomenon is the presence of magma under the surface. The said magma makes the water reach the boiling point which literally causes the whole lake to boil. If you’ve experienced getting burned by hot water before, then you probably have a good idea what it would feel like if you jump into this lake. The pain would be excruciating as the hot water surrounds your body. It would be best to avoid partaking in what would probably be the hottest swim of your life. How about going somewhere cooler, but equally dangerous?
Boiling Lake
Jacob’s Well
Well, this water formation doesn’t really belong to a person named Jacob, but it is a lake that you would definitely have to avoid. This lake is one of the cooler ones and is full of contention. The water is so clear that you can even see right to the bottom. What’s fascinating about this lake is that it has tunnels and caves with a system of their own underneath the water’s surface. It can provide you with a thrilling experience that most lake-goers don’t get to have in other lakes. It is no surprise, therefore, that many individuals have taken the challenge and explored its depths. However, many of them never made it out. The intricate system of tunnels underwater is much more complex and difficult than they expected and they didn’t realize this fact until it was too late. But is there really a way to stop the dangers underwater, especially in the next one?
Jacob’s Well
The Nile River
Although the Nile river is famous for establishing the ancient civilization in Egypt, it is one of those bodies of water that you shouldn’t swim in. You may wonder why. Well, it is mainly because of the presence of crocodiles in the river. Crocodiles may not be the most dangerous in the animal kingdom, but they are one of those that have the ability to kill you. The number of incidents of crocodile attacks in the north African Nile is around 100 per year! This is quite a large number compared to shark attacks which only amounts to approximately 16 per year. So, if you have an innate fear of the said creatures and would rather live with all your limbs still attached to your body, then we suggest that you avoid swimming in the Nile at all costs. The next place will make you consider how good your swimming skills are…
Nile
Hanakapiai Beach
The beaches in Hawaii are known for their beauty and many people have sung their praises over the years. The said shores are home to sandy beaches and are attached to beautiful coral reefs which are often the reasons why people get sunburns. However, they also have some extremely powerful rip tides. On Hanakapiai beach, to be more specific, there has been a total of 80 deaths because of the said rip tides. You might wanna think twice before visiting this place if you don’t want to be pulled out to the sea. Don’t join the number of those who have braved the waves and never returned alive. The currents that these beautiful tides hide are quite deadly. There was one incident where a person saw two children pulled down the shore and their father jumped into the water to save them. Luckily, the people who were there immediately called for help and the boys were rescued in time. The next item on our list may not be as beautiful as Hanakapiai beach, but it is just as deadly…
Hanakapiai Beach
Bubbly Creek
This creek is a part of the Chicago River that is best avoided when swimming. There are a lot of reasons for this, but the most important one is that it has a lot of runoff in this area of the river. This lake has been subjected to discarded meat, sewage, and other filthy substances. Over the years, the said trash started decaying which, naturally, led to the existence of bubbles in the lake. Another alarming issue is that fish and other animals cannot live in the said body of water as it has turned so toxic that it cannot sustain any living creature. So, if your goal is to have a nice swim, then this is not the place for you. Better find another place to swim in, somewhere more beautiful and safer, perhaps…
Bubbly Creek
Samaesan Hole
Thailand is one of those places that most people want to visit. It has even made its way onto a lot of people’s bucket list. It is home to some of the most beautiful scenery, food to die for (especially to those who are allergic to nuts), and of course, gorgeous beaches. However, there is one part of Thailand that you might want to avoid. It’s called the Samaesan Hole. The Samaesan Hole is one of the deepest areas in Thailand for diving. The hole is very dark that at some point, has zero visibility. This can easily lead to being lost in the sea. Obviously, it is no place for novice swimmers as you might easily forget which way is up. If you don’t know what we mean, let’s just say that this could be extremely dangerous.
Samaesan Hole
Lake Karachay
This beautiful lake is located in central Russia. However, it is one of the most toxic lakes in the whole world. You might be wondering why such a lovely body of water is toxic. Well, this is due to the pollution that the Russian government caused when they dumped toxic waste into this lake during the time when there were no regulations to such a heinous act. The result is deadly. The lake’s toxic nature could kill anyone swimming in it within an hour. Luckily, the Russian government has started taking steps to fill in the lake with concrete to avoid such deaths. This, in turn, would make the lake non-existent which can unburden the parents in the locality as they would no longer need to warn their children from swimming in the lake.
Lake Karachay
Eagle’s Nest Sink Hole
This sinkhole is located in Florida. Although it is fairly safe for a swim, it could be very dangerous to dive in. The said hole has a depth of a jaw-dropping 300 feet and it has caused a minimum of 10 deaths. Because of the said incidents as well as the intent to ensure people’s safety, the hole has been closed indefinitely. What made the sink extremely dangerous are the holes inside it. You can enter the hole if you are a highly-experienced diver, but you have to stop once you reach the sign underwater. The warning on the sign is what we have already told you: It’s too deep in the hole, you might get stuck and not make it out alive.
Eagle’s Nest Sink Hole
Kipu Falls
Kipu Falls is on the list of popular tourist destinations, but it is also where many people have drowned. Although there is no specific explanation of why people have drowned, the number of people who drowned there is not something we can easily ignore. Many of the residents in the area claim that the reason behind the drownings is hidden whirlpools and ancient gods which are all based on their local folklore. However, the most logical explanation for this is the large number of people going there. With many tourists in the area – especially those who have been drinking – the incidence of drowning is most likely to occur. This logic is somewhat similar to shark attacks in the sea: the more people swimming in the water, the more likely there is to be an attack.
Kipu Falls
The Amazon Basin
There are many reasons why the Amazon Basin in South America is considered to be dangerous. First, the water is home to numerous predators that a simply swim in the said water may easily lead to death via getting eaten. The said predators could be barracudas, piranhas, and all the other small critters that attract them to name a few. The Amazon Basin also contains the world’s most terrifying fish: the candiru. There have been many who claimed it can swim up people’s urethra and eat their genitals although there is no proof that it can actually do what many people believe it can. However, we’ll let the fear of this possibility strike a chord inside you for now.
Amazon Basin
Lake Victoria
This lake is the largest lake in Africa and it ranks as the third largest lake in the whole world. There are some parts of this lake, however, that you might want to avoid. What makes this lake very dangerous is because of the high number of deaths that occur in it every year. So far, the number has reached to approximately 5,000. Pretty high, right? The lake is dangerous mainly because it has its own weather system. This is why the weather in the lake can easily change from calm and sunny to horrible and stormy in a matter of seconds. If you happened to be swimming in the lake when such change occurs, then you might not all get out of it alive.
Lake Victoria
Horseshoe Lake
Horseshoe Lake is just one of the many lakes that you can find in the huge state of California. What’s terrifying about this lake is the incredibly high amount of carbon dioxide found in the area. You might be wondering where all this carbon dioxide is from. Well, it actually came from the long series of destructive earthquake that hit the area. The earthquake caused carbon dioxide to rise from the ground, resulting in numerous death of all the living things in the area. You will see a large field of dead trees on your way to the lake. That is if you choose to ignore our warning and still decide to swim there.
Horseshoe Lake
Rio Tinto
In Spain, there is one unique river called Rio Tinto. It has an unfortunate history that led its water to be inhabitable for any living thing. It has turned red with pollution because of the runoff from a nearby mine. The said pollution has filled the river with iron and other metals, making the river highly acidic. If you’re looking for a place to dissolve a body in, then this is the perfect place. But if you’re looking for a relaxing swim, then you might want to consider some other place which is far from this river. Better be safe than sorry as what they say…
Rio Tinto
The Ganges River
Industrialization has many advantages. It can make a country’s technology more advanced, create a stronger economy, and ultimately, make highly-populated cities. However, it has its own drawbacks like increased carbon emissions, pollution, and many other negative effects will occur. One perfect example of the bad effects of industrialization is the Ganges River in India. It has joined the list of the world’s most dangerous rivers to swim in. Just like in most cases, industrialization in India has occurred very quickly that there were no regulations in place to avoid pollution. This resulted in the pollution of the river. In other countries, similar things have happened and they could not save their bodies of water from plastic, trash, and pretty much all the waste products of humanity. This is exactly what happened to the Ganges River, leading to its toxicity.
Ganges
Gansbaai
This is an area in the sea off the coast of South Africa. It is more commonly known for the name shark alley as this area is very popular for the presence of the great white sharks in its waters. As great as it may sound, it is no place for a relaxing swim as you can be an easy prey for these sharks. They have easily caused a lot of death in the area. However, this is not the only place that has such a reputation. There is another island in North America which is known for the presence of the great white sharks in its water. However, it has a lower probability of attacks compared to shark alley, making it a more popular tourist destination.
Gansbaai
Hoover Dam
First things first, it is illegal to swim in the Hoover Dam. So, if you ever decide to defy the law and swim there, be prepared to get yourself arrested. Secondly, this body of water is extremely dangerous which is why it is illegal to swim there. One of the dangers in the Hoover Dam is the extremely strong currents that exist under the water’s surface. The dam has what they call intakes along it that controls the downward motion of the water at the top of the dam. These intakes have, apparently, caused the deaths of many unsuspecting swimmers. It also has things called a bell-mouth spillway that allows water to be controlled especially for transport and distribution. You have to watch out for these as well.
Hoover Dam
Citarum River
Indonesia is also in some people’s bucket list as it has some of the most beautiful sceneries in the world. This is also one of the top suppliers of our coffee. Aside from that, Indonesia also has the most beautiful shorelines and beachfront properties. This beautiful archipelago is also home to a large amount of biodiversity. Life is pretty varied on each different island. Although this country has a lot to offer, tourism-wise, there is a certain area that you should never swim in. It is called the Citarum River. What is makes it dangerous is very similar to the others on this list: pollution. People have dumped their waste in this river that it is now filled with garbage, making it unbearable for any swimmer.
Citarum River
Blue Lagoon
The UK also has some bodies of water which are not recommended for swimming. One of which is the Blue Lagoon. The main reason for this is the high pH level of the water which is at a staggering 11.3. You can compare the alkalinity of the water to that of bleach or ammonia. For your information, if a body of water – like a stream or lake – is suspected to have ammonia leaks, then it is immediately quarantined because of the potential danger that it posts. So, it is safe to say that we must avoid the Buxton Derbyshire Blue Lagoon at all cost. Although its sparkling blue water might tempt you to take a dip, it is best to stay away from it. Better yet, stay home and do some reading. We can all use some good reading anyway.
Blue Lagoon
The Gulf Coast
The Gulf of Coast near in the southern part of the United States is, bluntly speaking, quite different. Although it has the runoffs from the farms of central America, which makes its shores practically unlivable for sea critters, it also has some of the world’s deadliest animals. Some of them are snakes and in case you don’t know, snakes have the ability to swim. So, if you plan to escape the heat from the shore by dipping into the water, be ready to experience another kind of pain. The water temperature is actually hot and sometimes, it can be filled with snakes. What’s even more alarming is that some of the snakes that inhabit this place are rattlesnakes.
Gulf Coast
Reunion Island
Reunion Island is a tiny island located near the coast of Madagascar. To be more precise, it is located in the Indian Ocean which has become the world’s capital of shark attacks. So, forget about South Africa and the dangers there, this island will quickly have you bit. To drive our point, there have been a number of approximately 39 shark attacks near this island. This number is considered low in comparison to the number of people who swim there every year. However, it is something that you can take into consideration if you want to choose this place as the next spot for your swimming trip.
Reunion Island
The Strid
This body of water is located in the middle of Yorkshire, England. If you choose to go there, you will most likely find it infinitely boring, amazingly disturbing, and extremely deadly – should you choose to swim in it. Okay, it’s not really as deadly as we made it sound, but the place is extremely dangerous. The water is dangerous because of the small and hidden currents in it. To those who fell in the water, the currents were deadly as they easily got sucked down and in. In case you don’t know, this could result in drowning, facing the bottom. Often times, the current drags the person under rocks, causing them to get trapped. We’re sure that this isn’t what you’ve signed up for in your Yorkshire vacation.
The Strid
Queensland, Australia
The second biggest territory in the Commonwealth of Australia is Queensland. However, it is part of our list of deadly places to swim in. The main reason for this might be something you would never expect: it is home to many terrifying and deadly creatures. The list of the said creatures can go one forever. To name a few, there are stonefish, sharks, box jellyfish, saltwater crocodiles, and extremely fatal blue-ringed octopi. The box jellyfish, in particular, is incredibly fatal. A single sting from this small creature can cause an immediate cardiac arrest which could kill you very quickly. It’s definitely not the kind of fun you want, right?
Queensland, Australia
Bolinas Beach, California
While California is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, it is also the location of some of the world’s deadliest. One such example is the Bolinas Beach. The locals are appalled to learn that it is part of the infamous Red Triangle, a place where great white sharks often hunt for food. You can easily tell why this place is popular with sharks. It has a large population of seals and the like. As the place has a lot of the said animals, sharks sometimes mistake swimmers and divers nearby as food, which results in a shark attack. Although it doesn’t occur frequently, (as a matter of fact, it rarely happens at all), it does occur sometimes. The results are often deadly when there is an attack. Which is why this place is still part of our list.
Bolinas Beach
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
Just like California, Florida also has a lot of beautiful, sandy beaches in its locality. However, also similar to California, its beaches are close to the sea where some of the deadliest and most terrifying creatures live, sharks for example. The New Smyrna Beach, similar to Reunion Island, is also known for being a shark attack capital on planet Earth. So, if you’re terrified of sharks, then these two islands are the ones you should avoid at all cost. Instead, we suggest that you go on a swimming trip somewhere inland. Of course, the probability of a shark there would be close to zero. So, you’ll be pretty safe. The downside is that you won’t get to enjoy any warm, sandy beaches.
New Smyrna Beach
Victoria Falls
Oftentimes, the places that you wouldn’t want to swim in would be the same places that most people avoid. However, this is surprisingly not the case for Victoria Falls in Zambia. The said area has the greatest series of waterfalls in the whole world. Because of the said falls, a nice and refreshing swim could end up in a dangerous death-fall. This is really an unfortunate thing as the heat in Zambia is often unbearable. The edge of the falls has what is known as “The Devil’s Pools.” These small pools are little holes that you can swim in. However, they are located on the lip of the falls (literally!) and they could be extremely dangerous. So, we strongly suggest that you skip swimming in this part of your trip.
Victoria Falls
Potomac River
Some of the dangerous places on this list are places that you wouldn’t expect to be dangerous like West Virginia and Maryland. The Potomac River, for example, is a place where the rapids can quickly pull a person under. If this happens, the person can easily reach the bottom of the water. This could make it difficult for the person to swim against the current. The person will obviously have a very difficult time and the inevitable result is really unpleasant. As it would be impossible to breathe underwater, you might wanna stay clear of this river and spend your vacation on dry land. We’re sure that you can find ways to enjoy your trip out of these turbulent waters.
Potomac River
West End, Grand Bahama Islands
The Bahamas is definitely on the list of places you must see. It’s just located off the coast of Florida and has the most amazing waters to swim in. However, as is common to places with a high concentration of wildlife, it is also home to some of the most dangerous creatures in the sea. This time, once again, the creature you must look out for are sharks. One example is Tiger Beach which has a large number of tiger sharks. In case you don’t know, tiger sharks are one of the most vicious among the different species of sharks. However, should you choose to swim in this water, you would most likely be safe. This is because the risk of being attacked by sharks anywhere is slowly diminishing, making it fairly safe to swim in this area. However, try not to look like a seal to avoid attracting the sharks’ attention.
West End
Lake Kivu
Rwanda’s history is pretty sordid, having been torn into different groups competing for the controlling power in the early 19th century as well as the mid-19th century. However, it is not the only thing that you might find sordid. It also has Lake Kivu, one of the world’s most dangerous lakes. This is another case where looks can be deceiving, leading us into dangerous situations. The lake is also known as an “exploding” lake, which means that it can literally erupt, occasionally. This is all due to the fact that it has unstable ground caused by a volcano nearby. Sadly, an eruption from the lake could release a lot of carbon dioxide in the air which is, to be very blunt, extremely deadly.
Lake Kivu
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach, in general, is just one of those regular beaches that we can swim in. However, it can occasionally turn deadly due to its rip tides. On some unfortunate days, these rip tides can cause trouble for those who are caught by them. The danger can increase two-fold when the strong rip tides also have warm-water cannonball jellyfish in them. This type of jellyfish is extremely dangerous as it can cause paralysis to the person it stings in the water. While a person can survive either one of them, the combination of the two can create a certain danger that will easily result drowning.
Myrtle Beach
Gulf of Thailand
Some animals in nature can induce even the strongest man to tears. One perfect example of such an animal is the box jellyfish. This small creature can measure up to a maximum of eight inches long. However, their sting is so powerful that those who come in contact with them can easily die from shock. The problem is when this happens, you are most likely in the water. If you are severely paralyzed in the water, chances are, you will drown. Sadly, the Gulf of Thailand is home to many of these small creatures. So, if your goal is to swim in such dangerous waters, we suggest that you use appropriate clothing to protect yourself. Either that or pray you don’t get the bad luck of encountering these little guys.
Gulf of Thailand
Blue Lake
The Blue Lake is located in Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia. Many scientists and even regular individuals have been interested in this lake because of its extraordinary blue color. This credible color is caused by the high concentration of hydrogen sulfide in the water. Amazingly, despite all the interests it gets, no one has reportedly reached the bottom of this lake. Because of the mystery surrounding it, people have claimed that it is not safe to swim in. The bottom of this lake might hold swamp monsters, mysterious creatures, and other similar atrocities. Whatever the reason may be, people find it weird that no one has any knowledge on what is at the bottom of this lake. You might find it strange as well and maybe look for other places to swim in.
Blue Lake
Mono Lake, California
Mono Lake is a specific body of water located just outside of Lake Tahoe. It is home to some equally strange geological formations. Many have been interested in the lake, especially those who would just pass by the Lake Tahoe town area. However, because of tributaries in surrounding areas like Los Angeles, the lake has lost its vital resources. Due to the said phenomenon, the toxicity imbalance in the lake has worsened. So, these days, it has an extremely high level of carbonates and other elements which make it extremely toxic. So, if you are looking for a swim, this is not the place for you. Better head back to Lake Tahoe as the water there is not as inhospitable as this one.
Mono Lake
Laguna Caliente
Laguna Caliente literally means “hot lagoon” in English. When we say “hot” we mean extremely high temperatures. This Costa Rican lake is located in the middle of a stratovolcano, which means that it will literally burn your flesh off if you decide to swim there. Should you go down that route, we encourage you to think twice as it could very well be your last swim on Earth. You might not even reach the area anyway as you would need a permit to get there. This is a very wise precaution as the place is obviously dangerous. What’s more? The place could erupt anytime due to volcanic activities. One such eruption lasted for approximately two years, which includes the release of dangerous gas in the atmosphere. Well, it is best to avoid this place if you want to go for a swim.
Laguna Caliente
Lake Chagan, Kazakhstan
If the lake is given another name, it should be called the “Nuclear Lake.” As you can see, it is not the best place to swim in. Yes, you have guessed it right Lake Chagan is another example of lakes that are pretty toxic to humans, well any living organism, in fact. This lake was formed when a Russian nuclear bomb detonated underground. The result, as you can see, is this huge and highly poisonous lake. The crater spans a total of 353 million cubic feet of land, making a lake of around 1,300 feet wide and 300 feet deep. The crater is extremely toxic because of how it was formed. The radioactivity in the area is extremely poisonous that it can cause cellular mutations. We suggest that you look for another place to swim in.
Lake Chagan
Lake Nyos, Cameroon
This lake located in Cameroon, Africa was formed due to an asteroid collision in ancient times. However, the lake has been docile since its formation. However, it is uncannily located on the border of the Cameron Volcanic Line, a place where volcanic activity is prevalent. Because of its location, the lake tends to have some mild geological activity. One such eruption happened on August 21, 1986 and it was quite deadly. The said eruption released a huge amount of toxic Carbon Dioxide cloud from the lake’s water. The toxic air killed around 3,000 livestock and 1,700 people. The result of such an event was the deadliest limnic (CO2 gas explosion) disaster ever recorded on the planet.
Lake Nyos
Nyiragongo
The Nyiragongo is located in the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa and this is a place that you wouldn’t like to swim in. Why? It’s because of the fact that it is a volcano, of course! It is otherwise known as the largest lava pit on Earth, this place has a collection of the hottest swimming holes in the whole world. Unless you are immune to heat, or you are Beelzebub personified, you would probably not find this place a refreshing swimming spot. Aside from the fact that it has actual lava, this pit also exudes toxic air, containing carbon dioxide. If you inhale this at a certain amount, you will first lose consciousness, then eventually suffocate. So, even just getting close to this place could be deadly. If your goal is to swim, then you better find someplace less toxic.
Nyiragongo
Berkeley Pitt
This place is not named after a popular enlightenment philosopher. Located in Butte Montana, Berkeley Pitt is not a place that you should be swimming in. The lake itself used to be a copper mine and it was filled with water after years of non-use. However, due to the chemical composition of the mine, this small body of water is extremely toxic. You don’t need to be a scientist to know that toxic water is bad for your health. The lake is 1,780 feet deep and about half a mile wide. The water is filled with toxic chemicals though, so you should keep a good distance from it. If you ever visit Montana, then make sure to find another place for a swimming trip. Definitely not this one, please.
Berkeley Pitt
Beqa Lagoon
One of the coolest hangout places is a lagoon. There are usually a lot of trees and cool waters around it that can be the perfect haven. However, it can sometimes have some of the things that we would rather avoid, and the Beqa Lagoon located in Fiji is one perfect example. Like Reunion Island, this lagoon has a large population of sharks. Once you see these sharks in the area, it’s difficult to unsee them. Especially if it’s your first time to see one of these bad boys, you will most likely panic. When you panic, you’ll most likely lose your oxygen and eventually drown. Well, maybe we are exaggerating a bit, but you will increase your chances of being attacked by a shark. This is definitely not a good thing.
Beqa Lagoon
Pustoye Lake, Siberia
The Siberian north has a lot of things to offer, aside from the cold that is. Although much of its land is uninhabitable, some parts of it are not. In this case, it is the latter. Pustoye Lake is actually a mysterious body of water, despite its idyllic appearance. Because of this, you might want to avoid swimming in its waters. What makes this lake mysterious is that living organisms find it extremely difficult to survive, much less thrive in it. Why, you ask? We don’t know. No one knows! Apparently, scientists have tried filling the lake with plant and fish to see if they would reproduce in the lake, but they were unsuccessful. These things need to be considered before you ever think of jumping into this lake.
Pustoye Lake
Mumbai, India
India is known to having some of the most stunning beaches in the whole world. However, it is also known to have some of the most toxic. The main culprit for this is the careless push for industrialization in the country. This change in people’s social practices has created a lot of industrial waste and most of it is dumped in India’s bodies of water. This has become one of Mumbai’s problem. Their once pristine lakes have literally become cesspools. The locals near bodies of water have dumped their waste products in the water as well, increasing its level of filth. So, unless you want to bathe in pure liquid waste, we suggest that you find another place to swim in. You will thank us for this later.
Mumbai
Chowpatty Beach, India
Even though there are no sharks or dangerous currents at Chowpatty Beach in India, it has earned itself quite a reputation. Due to the high amount of dumping on the beach, the water, as well as the sand, has become lethally polluted. This beach has collected debris and waste from salvaged ships.
Chowpatty Beach India
Condado Beach, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Beauty can certainly be deceiving, and that is what reviewers on Trip Advisor pointed on when commenting on Condado Beach in Puerto Rico. Having massive rocks on either end of the beach accompanied by strong underwater currents and massive waves doesn’t set the ideal scene for calm and safe swimming.
Condado Beach San Juan Puerto Rico
Blue Hole, Egypt
Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula promises vacation-goers an experience of a lifetime. With crystal-clear waters and coral life that is bursting, any diver will want to spend a week-long vacation over here. There is one spot that stands out from the rest, and that’s Dahab’s Blue Hole. This underwater sinkhole has seduced many a diver to delve into its depths, but few have made it out alive as the hole is difficult to navigate.
Blue Hole Egypt
Orinoco River, Venezuela & Colombia
While the Amazon river is a dangerous place for swimmers, there’s the Orinoco river to its north that holds a very different, yet terrifying threat. Other than the usual crocodiles and electric eels you’d have to look out for, there’s a vicious fish called the candiru. It burrows its way into human orifices. Ouch.
Orinoco River Venezuela Colombia
Dead Sea, Israel
The Dead Sea, which separates a large part of Israel and Jordan, is a marvel. It is the lowest point on Earth and it also holds a high density of salt which means that you cannot help but float in the water. There are no fish in the water, and for good reasons. If you were to submerge yourself under the water, it could be very dangerous.
Dead Sea Israel
Farallon Islands, California
While San Francisco has a large number of tourists visiting each year, very few are aware of the Farallon Islands nearby. This group of islands was once known as the “Island of the Dead” by the native tribespeople. The area is supposedly swarming with great white sharks. Hardly a good reason to invest in premium health insurance.
Farallon Islands California
Everglades, Florida
Just thinking about the swamps and mangroves of the Everglades in Florida should be enough to skip this destination. This area is home to aggressive mosquitoes, the only coexistence of alligators and crocodiles, and coral snakes. The latter is a relative of the cobra – a venomous snake – and it can swim. Yay!
Everglades Florida
Dipper Creek, Canada
Located in the Squamish Valley in British Columbia, Canada, Dipper Creek offers thrill-seekers a whole lot of fun and adventure. There are tight canyons, breathtaking falls and powerful white waters. Unfortunately, this location has claimed the lives of some adventurers. This could be because of a 40-foot drop on the course.
Dipper Creek Canada
Chattooga River, Georgia and South Carolina
Simply known as “Section 4”, this part of Chattooga River running between Georgia and South Carolina has infamously become known as a dangerous site. Even though it looks somewhat calmer and safer than other parts of Five Falls, this area has been the doom of many people.
Chattooga River – Georgia And South Carolina
Whirlpool Rapids Gorge, New York
During the 1970s, the American side of Niagara Falls was becoming commercialized with lots of tourists coming to paddle through the rough waters. Due to its class five rapids, paddling became a deathtrap for many visitors. Therefore the site closed and has remained that way for decades.
Whirlpool Rapids Gorge New York
Upper Section of the Futaleufu River, Chile
When visiting Chile, we recommend giving this site a skip. The “Upper Section” of the Futaleufú River is a 14-mile-long stretch of dangerous rapids. Not only does it take a professional to tackle these raging water, but it also takes unflinching focus to be able to navigate as the waters change course on a whim.
Upper Section Of The Futaleufu River Chile
Section Two of the Lochsa River, Idaho
The State of Idaho proudly boasts the Lochsa River and its collection of raging rapids. However, “Section Two” is a little more dangerous than the other spots along the 57-mile route. Because of high rainfall in season, the river overflows and causes water to run out of control.
Section Two Of The Lochsa River Idaho
Celestial Falls, Oregon
You know you’re in a dangerous place when the authorities officially ban you from entering. The Celestial Falls located on Oregon’s White River have class-three and class-five rapids. At one time many pro kayakers would come to challenge the rough waters, but since the death toll began to rise, authorities banned entry to all kayakers.
Celestial Falls Oregon
Snake Island, Brazil
You might be wondering why no-one is allowed on Snake Island in Brazil. Considering that the island is literally covered with deadly snakes (one snake per square foot), you might want to think about going elsewhere. Just to clarify, these are actually venomous snakes!
Snake Island Brazil
North Sentinel Island, India
This location is somewhat different from the others on our list. This island is forbidden to enter, but for other reasons. The Sentinelese people have had no contact with the outside world. In some rare cases, a human has crossed the water to the inhabitants, but they did not make it back.
North Sentinel Island India