1. Gansbaai – The Great White Shark Capital
Location: Gansbaai, South Africa
Why you shouldn't go: Sharks
South Africa has it all: colorful waters contrasting with spectacular rocky outcrops, areas filled with lush vegetation, and even some soft white sand beaches. However, Gansbaai Beach, in particular, isn't as tranquil as it might appear from online photos.
Popular with divers thanks to the various underwater activities and tourists who enjoy whale watching, it's known as the "Great White Shark Capital," and this fishing village is surrounded by a dense population of the underwater beasts. This has even made the area a tourist attraction for many daredevils who choose to dive in cages. Our suggestion? Keep your feet out of the water and enjoy the area's other attractions.
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2. Zipolite Beach – The Beach of the Dead
Location: Zipolite, Mexico
Why you shouldn't go: Strong ocean currents
Oaxaca's crown jewel is located in San Pedro Pochutla, one of the region's 570 municipalities. Over the years, the beach has gained popularity for its 1.75 km-long nudist section and its natural beauty. The area boasts numerous hotels, bars, and restaurants catering to all tourist needs. The area also maintains a year-round temperature of 23 to 35 degrees Celsius, making it suitable for year-round visits. But all that glitters is not gold.
Cable Beach
Location: Broome, Australia
Why you shouldn't go: Saltwater crocodiles
Four miles from the town of Broome, Western Australia, lies Cable Beach, a 22-kilometer stretch of white sand and crystal-clear turquoise water famous for its sunsets, which can be witnessed by riding a camel along the shore.
Also a nudist beach, this corner of Australian paradise has all the makings of an extraordinary oasis, yet it's completely closed to travelers for most of the year due to the presence of saltwater crocodiles. Even during the few months it's open, authorities recommend avoiding this beach as a beach destination. Australians don't take dangerous wildlife lightly, so we suggest you take this advice seriously.
4. Dumas Beach
Location: Surat, India
Why you shouldn't go: King cobras
Estimated cost of visit: $22 per day*
Boasting a distinctive, picturesque feel thanks to its dark sand, Dumas Beach is located along the Arabian Sea in the state of Gujarat, India. Located 21 kilometers from the city of Surat, it is one of the most popular destinations in the southern region, as the beach is home to the Dariya Ganesh Temple, a site of great importance to Hindus and a major architectural and cultural attraction for tourists.
Fraser Island
Location: Fraser Island, Australia
Why you shouldn't go: Dinghies
Fraser Island's original name is K'Gari, which means "paradise" in the native Batjala language. At 1,630 square kilometers, it is the largest sand island in the world and boasts an impressive collection of wildlife, including 230 bird species and 25 mammal species. Registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992, it is also one of the world's most dangerous islands.
Marshall Islands
Location: Marshall Islands, Republic of the Marshall Islands
Why you shouldn't go: High levels of radioactivity
Between 1946 and 1962, the United States designated the Marshall Islands for atomic bomb testing. In less than a decade, nearly 70 nuclear bombs were detonated in the area, halfway between Australia and Hawaii.
The Republic of the Marshall Islands is located in the Micronesian region, and according to new studies from Columbia University, some parts of these islands can now be found with radiation levels higher than those detected in Chernobyl and Fukushima. Although the tests contaminated almost the entire region, they were specifically conducted on the atolls of Enewetak, Rongelap, Utirik, and the infamous Bikini.
9. Hanakapiai Beach
Location: Napali, Hawaii
Why you shouldn't go: Underwater currents
Difficult to access, the journey to Hanakapiai Beach is an uphill climb from the start. Being Hawaii, you'd expect it to have a vacation vibe, a small, hidden oasis filled with tropical plants and a warm, mild climate. At this beach, however, the opposite is true, as the Napali Coast is particularly treacherous for those who dare to travel it.
10. Darwin Beach
Location: Darwin, Australia
Australia is known worldwide for its beaches almost as much as for its deadly wildlife. With idyllic landscapes in every corner of the country, extreme contrasts in the environment, and crystal-clear waters that attract thousands of tourists each year, it can be easy to forget about the creatures. However, behind the images that seem like the perfect holiday backdrop, there are several dangers.
Darwin is located in the Northern Territory and is the region's capital and most populous city. While its tropical climate invites you to dive into its beaches, you'll have to think twice before visiting, as there are tons of jellyfish, crocodiles, and even sharks. Perhaps it would be better to look for other destinations in a country with so many options within its vast territory. Did you know that Australia is the sixth largest country in the world?
11. Playa de Maho
Location: Philipsburg, Saint Martin
Why you shouldn't go: Proximity to the airport
Playa de Maho is famous for its proximity to Princess Juliana International Airport, located on the Dutch side of the island. This airport has the third-busiest annual passenger traffic in the Caribbean, resulting in high levels of air traffic. Close to the beach, planes fly just over 80 feet above Maho, attracting tourists interested in seeing the 747s up close. The influx of tourists attracted by this dangerous activity is so high that local beach bars even publish flight schedules.
14. Morecambe Bay
Location: Morecambe, England
Why you shouldn't go: Quicksand
Covering a total of 310 square kilometers, Morecambe Bay is the largest area of tidal and sandy beaches in the United Kingdom. This immense expanse is plastered with large-letter posters warning of the quicksand and hidden channels that travelers would encounter if they ventured into this area.
Source - Wikimedia