8 most dangerous beaches in the world
The beaches of Queensland and Tiwi Islands
Where: coastal waters of the Timor and Arafura seas
When: October to April
Risk factors: Sea wasp (chironex fleckeri)
This jellyfish is hardly distinguishable in sea water, and its venom is very dangerous, especially for children. There have been 12 child deaths over the past 20 years. For adults, the danger is not so much the poison of the “sea wasp”, as the convulsions or malfunctions in the heart that lead to drowning in the water. Jellyfish are especially active in the afternoon.
Hanakapiai
Where: Hawaii, USA
When: winter
Risk Factors: Strong Waves and Currents
In summer, this beach is great for swimming and surfing. But in winter, high waves and strong currents can carry an unlucky swimmer or surfer into the open ocean. The nearest safe coast is six miles from the beach. Despite warnings, there are daredevils trying to try their luck. A warning sign on the coast indicates 83 victims.
Repulse Bay (Repulse Bay)
Where: Hong Kong
When: always
Risk factors: pollution
Construction work and related waste, pollution from one of Asia’s largest metropolitan areas have made the bay beach dangerous. Chemical pollution kills higher forms of marine life, and the bacteria and parasitic algae that multiply thereby complete the destruction of the ecosystem. There is no concerted effort to clean up and protect the beach, despite the fact that properties on the bay’s coast are the most expensive in Hong Kong.
Fish Hook or Fish Hook (or Vishoek)
Where: South Africa, near Cape Town
When: Always at dawn, at dusk or at night
Risk factors: white sharks
The Atlantic coast of South Africa is home to the world’s largest white shark population. This is due to the proximity of sea lion and leopard habitats. As a result, there is a great threat of shark attacks on swimmers, divers and surfers. The fact that white shark attacks are successful only in 47% of cases adds to optimism. And no more than 10% of attacks are fatal. Of the 1,260 shark victims, 117 have died since the turn of the century.
Copacabana (Copacabana)
Where: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
When: always
Risk factors: people
Copacabana beach is a very unfavorable criminal situation. Up to a hundred serious crimes are committed here every year, and about 30 of them end in the death of victims. As for robberies and other illegal actions, there are no numbers of them. Brazilian authorities are trying to fight crime on the beach, but we must admit that in the battle against criminals, the advantage is not on the side of the state. There are too many social and economic problems in Brazil. And while they are far from a solution, crime will spill out of the favelas on the once fashionable beaches.
The beaches of Brazil (Praias do Brasil)
Where: beaches of São Paulo cities
When: October-December
Risk factors: piranhas
The construction of dams on the rivers changed the ecological regime, and piranhas increasingly began to get out of the rivers into the oceans. If the rivers in Brazil were already quite dangerous, now it is the turn of the city beaches. The first was the invasion of “river hyenas” beach of Santa Cruz, then the coastal cities of Itapui and Iacanga. Now the fish have reached the crowded beaches of Sao Paulo. It has not yet come to the death of people, but appeals to doctors about significant injuries from these bloodthirsty fish come regularly. It should be understood that piranha reaches 30 centimeters in length and can easily bite off a person’s finger or a fair piece of meat.
Zipolite Beach (Playa Zipolite)
Where: Puerto Angel, Mexico
When: always
Risk factors: underwater currents
Due to low prices and universal tolerance, this beautiful beach was chosen by hippies, nudists, weed traders. Prices for a house here start from $ 6. But there is one "but." Currents in these places are unpredictable and insidious. Unlucky swimmers who neglect the ban on swimming are carried away into the sea. Usually forever.
New Smyrna (New Smyrna)
Where: Florida, USA
When: always
Risk factors: accidents, sharks, lightning strikes
Visitors to this beach are often unlucky. Collisions between swimmers and swimmers often lead to death (68 victims in 2010). In addition, over the past half century, more than 450 people have died from lightning strikes here. To top it off, there are shark attacks here. It is unclear what attracts so many tourists and makes them forget about the sad statistics.