Skeleton Coast - Namibia
This frighteningly named coastline is appropriately named. Not only does the lethal Benguela Current regularly cause ship wrecks, but the surrounding waters are home to 11 species of shark. Oh, and predators including lions and hyenas can be found patrolling the beach. It’s little wonder that Portuguese navigators used to have another name for this coast as well: "The Gates of Hell.”
Cape Tribulation - Australia
Jellyfish are just one tribulation encountered at Tribulation Beach. You’ll find no shortage of misery at this beach that, like Skeleton Coast, holds true to its name. Located along the coast of Queensland, it touts alluring sandy stretches and palm-fringed aquamarine waters, but you’ve been warned: dozens of natural booby traps await.
First of all, if you're going to swim, the tourism site Cape-Trib.com recommends you wear a stinger suit, as the waters here are teeming with stinging jellyfish. That right there should be your first red flag.
If you do decide to don your best stinger suit, you might also be interested to know that saltwater crocodiles abound — and they don't make a suit to keep you away from those. On top of that, the cape is home to cassowaries, flightless birds the size of emus or ostriches, who have talons sharp enough to rip you from head to toe.
And finally, beware of the infamous stinging trees, featuring jagged leaves that can pick up where the cassowaries left off.
New Smyrna Beach - Florida
These stunning waters are infested with sharks. Surfers who flock to the Atlantic coast of Florida for the epic swells do so at their own risk. This beach is one of the world's most dangerous due to its shark-infested waters – Florida has an average of 29 shark bites per year, and in 2017, nine of those attacks occurred along this section of coast. Shark attacks have been less frequent of late, but New Smyrna Beach still remains one of the scariest beaches in the world. If you’re really jonesing for a shark fix, stick to the Jaws ride at Universal Studios.
Fraser Island - Australia
The beaches of Fraser Island pose risks whether you're underwater or on land. In recent years, the island has become inundated with irukandji, one of the most venomous types of jellyfish in the world. People stung by these tiny sea creatures may experience symptoms including abdominal pain, vomiting, sweating, anxiety, hypertension, pulmonary edema and, in extreme cases, fatal cardiac arrest. Over the past few years, several irukandji attacks have been reported on the island. The island is also home to 25-30 packs of dingoes, a type of dog native to Australia that has been known to attack humans.
Hanakapiai Beach - Hawaii
Travelers should heed the warnings at Hanakapiai. Hanakapiai Beach boasts golden sands, black cliffs and endless blue sea – but beware of succumbing to the temptation of this Kauai paradise. The alluring waters of this beach are home to incredibly strong rip tides, which have pulled many uninformed swimmers to their deaths. The cause of the danger? A lack of coral reef protecting the area.
Because of the perilous nature of this beach, there is no main access road, requiring thrill-seekers to navigate formidable boulders and switchbacks over streams and waterfalls. The beach is on the other side of the Hanakapiai Stream – a river that is much better suited for swimming than the ocean.
Utakleiv Beach - Norway
If you want to enjoy Utakleiv, you better bring a wetsuit. Norway’s Lofoten Islands are striking, without a doubt. They are also some of the best spots from which to catch the Northern Lights. But while the beaches and shores might look inviting, it’s best to remain on dry, chilly land.
The islands, which lie north of the Arctic Circle, are surrounded by waters that are between 46 and 57 degrees Fahrenheit. In the summer. To put that in perspective, according to the National Center for Cold Water Safety, water below 60 degrees Fahrenheit is “extremely dangerous/immediately life-threatening.”
So while the coastline might look romantic, especially under the dance of the northern sky, this is one Polar Bear Plunge that you should definitely skip.