Most Dangerous Beaches in The World

When you hear "beach", you think sun, sea, fun and relaxation. In fact, most of the world's beaches are perfect getaways and for many no vacation is complete without golden sand and azure waters. Sadly enough, some of the world's most beautiful and luring beaches have claimed numerous lives. The powerful ocean currents, sharks, lighting and extremely venomous box jellyfish pose a serious threat to people.

See some of the world's most dangerous beaches:

Zipolite Beach. Mexico.

Zipolite Beach.

Playa Zipolite, a beautiful tiny beach of white sands and crystal waters, is tempting but lethal. Located in Oaxaca, the southern state of Mexico, Zipolite has taken numerous lives. The name itself is quite alarming as in the Zapotec language it means "the beach of dead" due to its strong undertow and changing rip currents. The turquoise waters of the playa lure unaware travelers whereas locals prefer to stay away.

Among most dangerous periods when swimming is almost impossible are the so-called rebalses - the periods when the water "rebels". It is a time of high seas that follows a full moon and lasts around 3 days. Rebalses are stronger and occur more often from April to June.

Since the establishment of a professional guard program at the end of 1990s there have been fewer fatal accidents at the beach, though extreme caution is still advised.

If you decide to swim in Zipolite's waters stay close to the shore and do not enter the water when you see red flags.

Zipolite Beach

Hanakapiai Beach. Hawaii.

Hanakapiai Beach.

The breathtaking Na Pali Coast on Kauai is home to the world's most beautiful but treacherous beaches. As there are no big reefs that could hamper the strong ocean currents, the coast is extremely unsafe.

Among the most risky beaches is Hanakapiai - the 2 mile (3.2 km) long stretch of golden sand along the popular Kalalau Trail. Similarly to Zipolite, it is the powerful ocean that takes control over the Hawaiian beach. Strong rip currents, rip tides and shore breaks make swimming very risky here.

According to the sign posted on the beach at least 82 people have drowned here (as of December 2008). The waves are so large and strong that they can sweep away people who are just wading in the water and are not deeper than up their knees. Moreover, due to the Kauai's geography, if someone gets caught in a current the nearest safe shore is around 6 miles (10 km) away.

Hanakapiai Beach.

Hanakapiai Beach.

 Praia de Boa Viagem. Recife. Brazil.

Praia de Boa Viagem on Sunday.

The urban beach of Recife, a beautiful coastal town often called the "Brazilian Venice", is home to an extremely popular beach, Boa Viagem. It is one of the most visited beaches on Brazil's eastern coast, but unfortunately, it's popular with sharks, too.

Before the 1990s the sharks did not use to attack humans in the waters of Boa Viagem. Nevertheless, between 1992 until 2007 there were around 50 reported attacks (19 of them fatal) along the relatively short, 12.5 mile (20 km) long coast.

What factors have contributed to the increase in the number of attacks? It boils down to the destruction of the marine ecosystem that used to provide food for these carnivorous predators. The untreated sewage, industrial effluents, and increasing numbers of fishing boats have damaged the local reefs and reduced the marine biodiversity.

Moreover, Port Suape that opened in 1984 has emerged in the southern estuaries where bull sharks (by the way, one of the species most frequently recognized in attacks on humans) used to give birth. Therefore, the female sharks had to move to the next estuary, the one close to the city's main beach.

Sharks Warning Signs in Recife.

New Smyrna Beach. Florida. The USA.

New Smyrna Beach.

Another shark-infested area is Florida, the USA. In fact, the majority of unprovoked shark attacks on humans in 2008 took place in North American waters. According to the ISAF (the International Shark Attack File), there were 118 shark-human incidents and 59 unprovoked attacks worldwide, of which 42 (71%) occurred in the USA and 32 in Florida. Among Florida's most dangerous beaches is New Smyrna Beach in Volusia County that reported 22 shark-human interactions in 2008.

Nevertheless, the ISAF underlines that the high ratio of incidents is caused by the fact that people have been spending more and more time in the water and the number of Florida's beach visitors has been gradually growing over the past decade. Moreover. the experts point out that the Floridian sharks are not dangerous for people as these are mainly blacktips, blacknoses and sharknoses, and most incidents are not fatal. They add that you are more likely to win a lottery or be hit by lighting than eaten by the shark at Smyrna Beach.

When it comes to lighting the experts are actually right as between 1997 and 2006 there were 71 fatal accidents related to lighting in Florida. The New Smyrna is often evacuated and closed for days because of that danger.

New Smyrna Beach.

The Northern and Eastern Beaches. Australia.

Queensland. Australia.

Australia, famed for its excellent beaches, is home to one of the world's most dangerous creatures. The biggest beach threat comes not from sharks and ocean currents but the almost invisible Australian Box Jellyfish - the Chironex fleckeri. The jellies are among the most venomous creatures in the world and their venom is most deadly in the animal kingdom. There have been over 5,568 deaths recorded worldwide since 1954.

The box jellies can be mainly found in the northern waters of Australia, from Darwin, down the eastern coast, to Queensland. The season for the Chironex starts in October and lasts until April.

If you get stung by the box jellyfish, never use alcohol to pour over the sting. The best neutralizer for the stung area is vinegar that disables the box jelly's nematocysts.

Box Jellyfish Warning Sign in Queensland.

Box Jellyfish.

Care for a swim?

Places To See Before It's Too Late

The ice sheets melt fast, the sea levels are rising, and the increase in storms and flooding becomes a serious issue. As scientists expect the sea level to rise around one meter (3.3 ft) by 2100, the global warming warnings sound more and more catastrophic. With such an increase in water levels many coastal areas around the globe are said to disappear under the waves.

Whether you believe all these climate change talks or not, it is worth taking a few secs to check out the list of the most immediately threatened places in the world...just in case.

1. The Maldives

The Maldives, the beautiful island country considered by many the paradise on earth, is the lowest country in the world being only 1.5 m above sea level on average. Therefore, it can be submerged by 2050/2100 due to the significant rise in sea level.

The Maldives.

The Maldives.

2. Mt. Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak of Africa, is rapidly losing its glaciers. Since 1912 the ice cap covering the top of the mountain has lost around 80% of its ice. The scientists predict that the ice on Kilimanjaro will be gone by 2015/2050. 

Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Mt. Kilimanjaro.

3. Alexandria. Egypt.

The city of Alexandria, an ancient Egyptian hub and the country's largest sea port, is said to be inundated by 2100. The Nile Delta is subsiding by around 5 mm (1/5 in) per year. Also, other towns located in the Nile Delta, such as Arish City, Matruh City and Port Said, are under the threat from rising sea level. 

 Alexandria.

Alexandria.

4. Tokyo

Tokyo is only one example of many coastal cities at risk due to rising sea levels, violent storms and flooding. The city's temperatures increase five times faster than an average global warming rate and the annual mean temperature has risen by about 3°C (37°F) over the past 100 year. 

Tokyo. Odaiba.

Tokyo, Kachidokibashi Bridge. 

5. Great Barrier Reef

The most catastrophic scenario envisages the Great Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef system in the world, to collapse within twenty years due to the high concentration of carbon dioxide in the water. The scientists predict that as the water gets warmer and warmer, the coral ecosystems around the world will start disappearing by mid-century or earlier.

Great Barrier Reef.

Great Barrier Reef.

6. The Columbia Glacier

The Alaska's Columbia Glacier, similarly to all glaciers the world over, has been melting at an increasing rate and it has thinned by around 1,300 feet (390 m) in some places over the last 25 years. Moreover, it is among the fastest moving glaciers around the globe and it is expected to retreat around 9 miles (14 km) in the next 20 years.

The Columbia Glacier. Alaska.

Columbia Glacier. Alaska.

7. Galapagos Islands

Home to amazing wildlife, the unique, remote islands of Galapagos can be seriously affected by the climate change due to their location. As the equatorial waters in the eastern Pacific are getting warmer and the sea level is rising, such Galapagos animals as the giant tortoise, marine iguana and Galapagos penguin as well as flightless cormorant, whose nests are susceptible to flooding, are under serious threat. 

 Galapagos Islands. Sea lions.

Galapagos Islands. Marine Iguana.

8. The Netherlands

About 60% of the Netherlands' population and about 27% of the country area are located below sea level. Such low-lying and flat countries as Holland are at greatest risk from the rising waters. To protect the seaside the Netherlands set up huge storm surge barriers - so huge that they can be seen from space.

 The Netherlands.

Amsterdam.

9. The Dead Sea

The Dead Sea surface and shores are 1,385 ft (422 m) below sea level - it is the world's lowest point and also one of the saltiest bodies of water with the salinity of 33.7%. In contrast to the low-lying places that suffer from rising waters, the Dead Sea is evaporating, gradually losing its water. The water level is estimated to have dropped by 3 ft (1 m) per year from 1970. 

 Dead Sea.

Sunrise over Dead Sea.

10. New York

According to the recent report prepared by the scientists of various research centers such as, among others, University of Toronto, the National Center for Atmospheric Research or the University of Bristol, New York may face a much faster rise in sea level than other coastal cities due to the local ocean currents, effects of gravity and water density. Moreover the city, is at great risk of hurricanes and flooding that can occur as a result of melting ice.

New York.

New York

Australia & Oceania: The Most Amazing Destinations

Called the invisible continent, as it is comprised of more water than land, Australia and Oceania is a huge geopolitical region of boundaries which are rather hard to define. Capturing the beauty of this water world is also an ambitious challenge. The words and pictures, although insufficient to express the true beauty of this region, may at least spur your imagination and wanderlust. 

 

7. The Great Ocean Road. Australia.

Limestone rocks along the Great Ocean Road.

Splendid Great Ocean Road hugs the coastline of Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean. Amazing limestone rock formations, and among them the famed 12 Apostles and the London Arch - giant rocks that emerge from the water - give the route its stunning beauty. The road is 243 km (150 miles) long and it was constructed by 3,000 returned soldiers as a memorial for the servicemen killed in the First World War.

London Arch.

Great Ocean Road.

 6. Te Mata Peak. New Zealand.

Te Mata Trail.

Located in the North Island of New Zealand, in Hawke's Bay Province, Te Mata Peak surrounded by green rolling hills and vineyards is an amazing site of panoramic views and great trails perfect for bikers and walkers. The bay is famed for world class wines and the nearby Ruahine, Kaweka and Maungaharuru ranges offer breathtaking, dazzling vistas of mighty peaks and lush valleys.

View from Te Mata Peak.

Te Mata Peak.

 5. Palau Islands

Palau Islands.

Palau, the country located on 200 exotic islands in the Pacific Ocean, is one of the world's smallest and youngest states (it became fully independent in 1994). The islands surrounded by amazing coral reefs and blue holes immersed in the crystal waters are great diving and snorkelling destinations, while its lush flora and rich fauna attract nature enthusiasts. Lonely Planet accurately concluded that the name of the country is an acronym for 'Palau's Archipelago: Lovely and Unique'.

Palau's landscape.

Palau.

4. Uluru. Australia.

Uluru.

Uluru (also called Ayers Rock or The Rock) is magic, inimitable, and spiritual. What makes this large sandstone rock formation so unique and beautiful? Is is size? The location? The color that changes at different times of the day and year? There could be as many answers as there are Uluru's visitors. For sure standing at the foot of the Rock is an unforgettable feeling and a mystical experience for those willing to understand the cultural significance of the place.

Climbing Uluru.

Uluru.

3. Fiji

Fiji. Liku Lagoon.

This South Pacific archipelago of around 300 islands and 500 islets is one of the most charming destinations around the globe. The paradise for swimmers, surfers, kayakers, and honeymooners - a place that seems to be this brighter side of the world. Fiji has it all to amaze you: dazzling coastline, eternal sunshine and fascinating interior of lush hills, volcano craters, and splendid waterfalls. 

Navala Village.

Mamanucas. Fiji.

2. Sydney Harbour. Australia.

Sydney Harobour.

The Sydney Harbour (or Port Jackson) is considered the most beautiful natural harbour in the world. It is quite understandable why. The harbour is the heart of the city as well as a magnet for travellers, locals and visitors. The jewels of the harbour are not only the iconic Opera House and splendid Sydney Harbour Bridge, but also beautiful natural sites: little coves, calm beaches, bays and waterside parks.

Sydney Harbour.

Opera House.

 1. The Southern Alps. New Zealand.

Arthur's Pass.

New Zealand is a remote and outlandish spot of mind-blowing beauty. Among its most amazing sites are the Southern Alps that run along the western side of the South Island. This powerful mountain range is home to the famed Mount Cook, huge Tasman Glacier, turquoise lakes and numerous national parks covered with dense temperate rainforests. It's one of those destinations to fall in love with at first sight.

Mt. Cook.

Mt. Cook.