Think Twice Before Entering These Waters

Tap to Read ➤ Sharmistha Sarkar

Swimming or water surfing is what people love to do on vacations. It is indeed a great way of spending time. However, one needs to be aware of the dangers of waters before taking the plunge.

The Boiling Lake in Dominica

This lake has extremely hot waters. This is because the lake is situated on top of a mass of molten lava, which causes gases to move up into the surface of the water. Below the surface, water comes close with magma, heats up to a tremendous degree and rises up.

The lake is named so due to its super-heated water. There are also bubbles visible on its surface. Besides the temperature, there are also water currents created from the movement of water.

Millions of people flock to the world's beaches, waterfalls, and rivers. But, careful sunbathers and swimmers, not all the waters are paradises. The giant water bodies like oceans, rivers, and lakes may seem beautiful and attractive, but an entirely different world thrives beneath and within them.

There are more than 500 species of sharks existing in the world's oceans, and about 100 shark attacks occur every year. Another dangerous factor is the water currents, which have taken away many lives.

With summer approaching, it would be useful to inform you about the world's most dangerous waters. So, if you have booked your trip to one of these places, then it might be wise to alter your plan. Here are the deadliest water bodies where swimming or surfing is not advised.

Fraser Island, Australia

Fraser Island is along the Southern coast of Queensland, Australia. It is about 123 km long and 22 km wide. This island is known to be the largest sand island in the world. It is also largest island of Queensland and sixth largest island of Australia.

While the scene and waters surrounding Fraser Island looks beautiful, it is strictly a prohibited zone, as the seas are home to loads of jellyfish and sharks. The water also carries strong rip currents. The island is home to a few world's deadliest spiders and crocodiles. There are also dingoes seen, which are known to attack humans at times.

Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands

Bikini Atoll inhabits a large number of marine creatures, and it's known to be a great place for divers. However, the place is dangerous due to sharks and radiation levels in the area. Around 1944s to 1960s, it was also a testing ground for nuclear weapons.

Between 1946 and 1958, around 25 nuclear devices were exploded by the United States at seven test sites situated on the reef, inside the atoll, in the air, or underwater. This is why, the island is polluted with radiation. The place has been declared to be a safe zone now.

Kilauea, Hawaii, U.S.

Kilauea is a town which is located on the Northeastern shore of Kauai. Kauai is one of the eight islands of Hawaii. Hawaii is well-known for its beautiful beaches, rolling waves, and pleasant weather. However, there are also dangers associated with it.

The place has many number of active volcanoes. Mount Kilauea is mostly popular for its active volcanoes. The beach is dangerous since it's located close to active volcanoes.

Playa Zipolite Beach, Mexico

This beach is situated in San Pedro Pochutla municipality on the Southern coast of Oaxaca state in Mexico. It is well-known for being one of Mexico's few nude beaches and for maintaining its hippie culture.

It became famous in the 1960s and 1970s. The water of this beach looks gorgeous due to its crystal clear appearance and brilliant white sands in Southern Mexico. It is also known for its deadly water currents and for taking lives of many people every year.

Some of them who have died were pulled into deep sea and returned to the beach by the water in a circular pattern back. Some others were lost in the sea. It is recommended to stay away from the waters and enjoy the beach without swimming or surfing.

New Smyrna Beach, Florida, U.S.

This is a city in Volusia County, Florida, United States. It offers many facilities for outdoor recreation like fishing, sailing, motor-boating, hiking. Visitors enjoy by swimming, scuba diving, surfing and others.

This beach is also a well-known spot for shark attacks. The kinds of sharks which dwell there are black-tip reef sharks and bull sharks. There are more than 260 shark attacks on record for New Smyrna Beach, which is the highest number of attacks than in any other beach. However, the attacks are mostly minor and rarely fatal.

The waters also have unpredictable and deadly rip currents. It is recommended to stay in the beach rather than going for swimming or surfing to avoid danger.

Victoria Falls, Zambia

The Victoria Falls in the Zambia is a spectacular sight for its beauty, but is one of the most dangerous places in the world. There is a natural pool called Devil's Pool near the edge of the falls. The pool is a great spot for swimmers, but dangerous too.

Occasional deaths have taken place when people had slipped over the rock barrier. The huge cliff over which the falls move rapidly, changes the calm water to a violent stream cutting through many gorges. Guides are available there to supervise and make sure you don't move over the edge.

Belle Fourche River, Wyoming, U.S.

The Belle Fourche River is a tributary of the Cheyenne River, in the U.S. states of Wyoming and South Dakota. The river runs 290 miles from Gillette, Wyoming, and moves eastward to the Cheyenne River in Western South Dakota.

This river is not poisonous or radioactive. However, it is turbulent in one particular area. As several deaths have taken place in the area, authorities near the river's dam want the area closed to public. Many other fatal incidents have occurred over the years because of the unpredictable water currents that prevail in the area.

Lake Kivu, Rwanda

Lake Kivu is one of the great lakes in Africa. It is located on the border between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. The lake inhabits loads of fish, which are an important food and income source for the residents.

However, deep below the waters, a gas containing carbon dioxide and methane lurks. It is very dangerous, as it can cause a sudden outburst of methane into the atmosphere. Evidences show that the lake had sudden releases of gas in the past. Scientists say that the lake could become deadly in the future.

Hanakapiai Beach, Kauai, Hawaii, U.S.

This is a known tourist attraction. It is on Kauai's Nāpali Coast. Its sandy shore line is visible in summers, and in winters, powerful waves and high tides sweep away the shore line. It has no road access and is remotely located.

The beach is dangerous for its strong rip currents. The coast is especially unpredictable because there are no reefs to block the water currents. The spot is known to have taken the lives of many beach visitors.

There is a wooden sign near the beach, which welcomes visitors to the beach and cautioning not to swim, for the strong water currents have killed people. You can enjoy the beauty of the beach, but do not ever go for swimming, surfing or bathing.

River Nile, Egypt

The Nile river is the most famous river in Egypt. It is the longest river in the world. It is located in Northeastern Africa. It is also one of the most dangerous water bodies in the world.

It is home to over 600,000 of Nile crocodiles, which are regarded as the most dangerous of the crocodile family. They kill hundreds of people every year in Saharan Africa. Others organisms like flatworm, spiders, snakes and mosquitoes also dwell in the river's habitat.

Recife, Brazil

More than 100 shark attacks and 30 fatalities have occurred since 1931. Most of these attacks were in Brazil. It took place in Recife, which has a beach, well-known for shark attacks. It was bustling with swimmers and surfers, but that is not the case today.

Today, the place is known to be one of the top 10 shark-infested places in the world according to the International Shark Attack File. There are also signs along the edge of the beach, which tell about the dangers of swimming.

Bolinas Beach, California, U.S.

This beach is well-known for its fine rolling waves. The water is ideal for every type of surfing or paddle-boarding and swimming. However, it is also a spot for the giant white sharks.

Other Dangerous Water Bodies

❑ Bondi Beach, New South Wales ❑ Stinson Beach, California ❑ Chowpatty Beach, India ❑ Amazon Basin ❑ Gulf Coast, U.S. ❑ Niagara Falls, Ontario ❑ Potomac River Maryland-West Virginia Border, USA ❑ Volusia County, Florida ❑ Gansbaai, South Africa ❑ Tualatin River, Oregon, USA ❑ Port St Johns' Second Beach, South Africa ❑ Northern Territory, Australia