Who doesn’t love the beach? The winning combination of sand, sea and sun rarely fails to delight, but not all beaches are as relaxing as they first appear. From shark attack hotspots and shores frequented by man-eating crocodiles to coastlines notorious for riptides and alarmingly high levels of pollution, we've ranked what we think are the 25 most dangerous beaches on Earth.
Click through this gallery to discover the beaches where sunburn is the least of your worries...
Loved by Bollywood stars and wealthy residents, Juhu Beach on the shores of the Arabian Sea is one of Mumbai’s best bathing spots. Its vast stretch of sand is a great place to see the city at play, especially on evenings and weekends when people come here to jog, paddle or pick up some street food. It’s also one of the finest places to catch the sunset.
However, Juhu is also one of Mumbai's most polluted beaches. In January 2020, local news outlet ET Now collected water samples from various beaches in the city and tested their levels of faecal matter. Juhu Beach was found to have levels 1,800 times higher than normal. A further study in 2023 revealed that 75% of the rubbish found on Juhu and Aksa, another Mumbai beach, consisted of plastic waste. A beach clean-up at Juhu in January 2024 recovered 200kg (441lbs) of litter. There have been fatalities here too; in June 2023, four boys tragically drowned when they were washed away in a high tide while sitting on the Juhu Koliwada jetty.
With their powder-soft sand and crystal-clear waters, the beaches of Lamu look fit for holiday paradise. The idyllic archipelago, which sits off the coast of Kenya in the Indian Ocean, even has a UNESCO-recognised Swahili old town complete with 14th-century stone houses. But, for a time, the islands were more famous for entirely different reasons...
Lamu's stunning resorts became notorious in 2011 for the kidnappings of several Western tourists by al-Shabaab terrorists. While the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCDO) no longer advises against travel to Lamu Island, its perceived proximity to recent attacks in mainland Kenya's Lamu County could continue to detract from its charm.
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The sun-kissed sands of Huntington Beach in California's Orange County are popular all year round with locals and tourists who come here to lounge, frolic in the waves, play beach volleyball or surf. The much-photographed 1,850-foot (564m) Huntington Beach Pier is one of the Pacific Coast’s longest – a favourite spot for eating, drinking and taking in the view.
But on Labor Day weekend in 2019, more than 500 beachgoers were left in agony after being stung by stingrays. The flat fish descended into the shallow waters and gave paddlers a nasty shock, sometimes puncturing their skin with their sting. The low tides and unusually warm waters are thought to have brought the shy creatures closer to shore. Meanwhile, on 7 November 2023, a two-mile (3.2km) stretch of the beach was closed for a day due to aggressive shark activity.
Blessed with a long stretch of coastline, the beaches around Shenzhen are some of China's most popular, with locals flocking here to escape city life. Just over the border from Hong Kong, Shenzhen is one of China's wealthiest and most populous cities.
Yet the beaches get so packed in peak season that it can be dangerous to visit. There are reports of a number of drownings here every year. In fact, drowning on beaches like those in Shenzhen is listed by the World Health Organization as one of the leading causes of death among children aged five to 14.
Renowned for its dramatic sunsets over the Indian Ocean, the 14-mile (22km) Cable Beach is one of Western Australia's most stunning stretches of coastline. Located near the tropical township of Broome on the northwest coast, the white sandy beach attracts visitors from all over the world.
Yet its resident sea creatures make this a less-than-peaceful spot at times. Like many beaches in northern Australia, man-eating crocodiles and deadly Irukandji jellyfish lurk in its waters. In 2023, the recorded jellyfish stings increased compared to previous years, with 114 minor stings and three Irukandji stings treated between May and October. West Coast Water Safety believes this increase is attributed to the effects of Cyclone Ilsa in April.
Portugal’s picturesque Algarve region is blessed with some of Europe's most stunning beaches, from endless stretches of white sand to craggy, cliff-backed coves. They're a top spot for active types with all manner of watersports on offer, and many have lively beach bars and fantastic seafood restaurants too.
However, the Algarve is also prone to temperamental coastal conditions, especially on the west coast with its powerful Atlantic waves. There can be dangerous riptides (one of the main causes of beach drownings), strong winds and crashing waves. Beach-goers are advised to look out for red flags, which indicate it’s not safe to swim.
Best known for being the home of incredible fossils, the Jurassic Coast is a magnificent stretch of coastline that goes from Exmouth in Devon to Studland Bay in Dorset. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and Broadchurch filming location, it covers a wide variety of bays, coves and beaches, many of which have extraordinary cliffs and rock formations.
But the picturesque coastline is also unpredictable and prone to coastal erosion. Tragically, a man died after being rescued from the sea during a coasteering session at Hedbury Quarry in 2019 and there have been reports of numerous rock falls in the area since. In April 2021, the area recorded the UK’s largest rockfall in 60 years, with a 984-foot (300m) section of coastline just south of Weymouth crumbling to the ground. Then, in January 2023, 1,000 tonnes of ancient rock fell from sandstone cliffs at West Bay, Dorset.
At first glance, Maho Beach on St Maarten’s southwest shore looks the epitome of Caribbean bliss, with soft sands, clear waters and a chilled vibe. But it's not a beach where you go for peace and quiet…
The beach is directly underneath the landing path to Princess Juliana International Airport, one of the world's scariest airports due to its short runway. Aviation enthusiasts come here to watch planes take off and take selfies with the low-flying jets. Yet the jet blasts can be lethal: in 2017, a woman was tragically killed after standing too close to the fence where the runway meets the beach. Visitors are advised to stay away from the fences and there are large danger signs around the borders of the airport.
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A quintessential British seaside resort, Scarborough’s sweeping beaches, amusement arcades and ice-cream parlours have long attracted tourists. South Bay is the busier of the two beaches, popular with families looking for some good old-fashioned seaside fun.
But South Bay’s waters leave a lot to be desired when it comes to cleanliness. The waters around the Scarborough beach were classified as 'poor' by the Environmental Agency (EA) for every year between 2015 and 2019. No data was taken in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the EA's Swimfo website still rates it as 'poor' in 2024 and has issued 'advice against bathing'.
Surfing Bali's waves is on the bucket list of any surfer worth their salt, thanks to the famously powerful breaks and spectacular scenery. The island's beaches are also popular with sun-seekers thanks to their tropical beauty – think swaying palms, soft sands and bath-warm waters. Kedungu Bay, a beautiful black sand beach in Banjar Babut, is one of Bali's most popular surf spots due to its three breaks.
Yet treacherous undercurrents and huge swells can mean the beguiling waters of this bay, where waves break over reefs, pose a serious risk to both swimmers and surfers. Numerous surfers have ended up in trouble in the waters around the idyllic Indonesian island, as well as in nearby Lombok, another renowned surfing hotspot.
Adelaide's beach suburbs – Glenelg, Henley, Brighton and Semaphore – are an easy trip from the city centre and one of the laid-back region's best assets. Glenelg, with its old-fashioned wooden pier and seaside charm, is one of the most popular.
However, the beaches can be deadly. In July 2023, the bodies of a man and a woman were found days apart washed up near the Glenelg Beach jetty. In February 2020, deadly blue-ringed octopuses were found at Brighton, Somerton and Seacliff beaches. Beach-goers are warned to keep children away from rocks, rubble and other potential hiding places for the little but lethal creatures.
Spectacular mountains, pristine forests, wild rivers and gorgeous beaches make Port St Johns on South Africa's southeast Indian Ocean coast a special place. There are three beaches situated at the mouth of the Umzimvubu River, including Second Beach – a popular spot with both swimmers and surfers.
Yet the coastline isn’t as idyllic as it might first appear. Known as one of South Africa’s deadliest locations, there were eight fatal shark attacks here between 2009 and 2014. The most recent victim was a 72-year-old Austrian man who was taking a dip in the shallows before being dragged out to sea, while 2009 alone saw three fatalities. Most of the attacks were attributed to bull sharks (pictured). In a 2022 National Geographic documentary, it was suggested that the killing spree came as a result of more sharks being forced down the coast by erosion and rainfall to find safe breeding grounds.
Lovingly known as 'Glamarama' by the locals, this dainty 262-foot-long (80m) beach between Bondi and Bronte in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs is where the beautiful people come to see and be seen. It's one of the sun-kissed city's most stunning shorelines (and there are plenty to choose from) as well as a popular surfing spot. But it’s not without its dangers…
Tamarama is the most dangerous patrolled beach in the whole of New South Wales, and it’s frequently closed to swimmers and surfers. However, many daredevil surfers choose not to heed the warnings. The narrow beach is prone to dangerous rips which can pull swimmers and surfers out towards the headland, crashing them against the rocks. In October 2023, there was a dramatic rescue by a lifeguard after a surfer came close to death when he got caught up in a high tide. He was pushed against the rocks and broke his leg but luckily survived.
Brazil’s Amazon basin is best known for its lush rainforest, but it boasts gorgeous freshwater beaches along the Amazon River too. Alter do Chao, pictured, is a particularly enticing and remote riverside beach with a small island, Ilha do Amor (Island of Love), in the middle.
But visitors should hold off diving into the tempting waters if they’re feeling the humidity. Numerous deadly creatures are to be found beneath, including sharp-toothed piranhas, anacondas and electric eels, among others, all of which can inflict potentially lethal wounds.
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The tiny tropical island of Koh Tao is a favourite with divers and snorkellers, thanks to the plethora of marine life that thrives in its waters. Located in the Gulf of Thailand, the island is home to plenty of gorgeous beaches, from the secluded Ao Leuk to the popular Sairee Beach.
Despite seeming like paradise, the island has a history of gruesome and suspicious deaths. In 2014, British tourists Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were killed by two Burmese workers, who were later given life sentences. Then in June 2021, a millionaire couple, Rakeshwar and Anshoo Sachathamakul, were found dead in the pool of a resort on the island. Mysteriously, the CCTV in their hotel wasn’t working on the day they drowned. More recently, in 2023, a British diving instructor died suddenly in Koh Tao, marking the fifth death of an instructor in the past few years on the so-called 'Death Island'.
A quintessential British seaside escape with rolling sand dunes lining a three-mile (5km) stretch of golden sand, Camber Sands is a popular spot on the East Sussex coast. Due to its size, however, it rarely gets too crowded. It's also a great spot on windy days for flying kites and kitesurfing.
Sadly though, the tranquil-looking beach has hidden dangers. It’s renowned for its lethal riptides – powerful, fast-flowing currents of water that occur when wind and waves push large amounts of water towards the shore. These terrifying tides can drag even experienced swimmers out into deep water. Tragically, seven people drowned at Camber Sands in 2016, after which lifeguards were deployed at the beach.
A small volcanic island in the Indian Ocean, Reunion’s beaches are simply breathtaking. What’s more, they’re close to crowd-free, since the little-known island is often overlooked in favour of its glitzier neighbour, Mauritius. Known for epic waves and a laid-back atmosphere, Reunion is a surfer's dream for those in the know.
However, Reunion was afflicted by something of a 'shark crisis' in the 2010s. From 2011 to 2019, there were 11 fatal shark encounters in the island's waters. The unprecedented, seemingly inexplicable rise in attacks led to a government ban on almost all swimming and surfing. Though there hasn't been an attack since 2019 and people have since returned to the waves, the finned fiends are far from forgotten.
A favourite resort among locals, Plettenberg Bay (better known as ‘Plett’) enjoys almost year-round sunshine and mild weather. While the cookie-coloured beaches are the main draw, the surrounding scenery is incredible too, marked by green mountains and Indigenous forest.
Like much of the coastline along South Africa’s Western Cape, great white sharks have been known to roam the waters of Plett. In 2022, there were two fatal attacks here within the space of a few months – a frequency “almost unheard of” according to Dr Sara Andreotti of Stellenbosch University, who studies great whites. One of those killed was 39-year-old Cape Town restaurateur Kimon Bisogno, known for her work feeding the homeless. After her death, so-called 'shark spotters' were stationed at five beaches around Plettenberg Bay to watch for further peril.
Considered Mexico’s original beach resort, Acapulco once attracted the country's rich and famous with its palm-fringed crescent bay and lively nightlife. The resort, situated on Mexico’s Pacific Coast, is home to some of the country’s best beaches: from the endless yellow sands of Pie de la Cuesta to the dainty and secluded Playa Angosta.
However, the resort has developed a reputation as one of the most dangerous cities in the world, due to violent feuds between cartels and gangs. Acapulco was dubbed Mexico’s 'murder capital' after 874 people were killed there in 2018, and it's showing no signs of cleaning up its act. Kidnappings and murders are commonplace in the area and heavily armed police and soldiers can often be seen patrolling the beach.
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Primeval Iceland has no shortage of dramatic natural wonders, from geysers and glaciers to volcanoes and waterfalls. Reynisfjara Beach is another, where jagged sea stacks rise from crashing waves and the shores are as black as charcoal. It’s arrestingly beautiful, and no one will blame you for being swept up in its thrall. But whatever you do, don’t turn your back on the raging North Atlantic…
Reynisfjara Beach has become notorious for a phenomenon known as sneaker waves – huge and powerful waves that can unpredictably appear from a procession of smaller waves. They can reach heights akin to a 10-storey building and rapidly peak without warning, gobbling up anything and anyone in their path. In June 2022, a tourist died when he was dragged into the sea by a sneaker wave at Reynisfjara. If you do visit, always heed the warning signs and traffic light system at the entrance to the beach.
Rainforest meets reef at this remote headland in far-north Queensland. Part of the Daintree National Park, it's a pocket of paradise with empty beaches and nothing but the lapping waves to disturb the peace. But there's a good reason why the beaches are empty…
As tempting as the pristine waters look, they’re totally lethal. Saltwater crocodiles (salties, as locals call them) are often spotted on the sands or surfing the waves. In 2017, a woman was bitten on the leg by a croc while standing near the water’s edge, sustaining a laceration on her thigh. The world’s deadliest jellyfish, box jellyfish, are also known to roam these waters between November and May.
For travellers to Bali, an excursion to the unspoilt island of Nusa Penida is an absolute must, with its sugar-white sands, spectacular sunsets, natural infinity pools and cave temples. Kelingking, just one of many stunning beaches on the island, has become something of a social media superstar in recent years thanks to the cute T-Rex-shaped cliffs that provide its backdrop. It’s a place best admired from a distance, however, and not just because you’ll get better photos.
This beauty spot has become infamous, gaining a name for itself as Bali’s most dangerous beach. Over the course of the past decade, a number of tourists have met their ends at Kelingking, with most killed by the menacing undercurrents that make the beach completely unsafe for swimming. Most recently, one person died and two were injured in June 2024 when they were pulled from the shallows and into the open ocean by Kelingking’s violent waves. According to Balinese folklore, Nusa Penida is feared to be cursed.
Blessed with year-round sunshine and balmy temperatures, Volusia County’s beaches are some of Florida’s most coveted. New Smyrna and Daytona (pictured) are especially popular, with sun-seekers and surfers flocking to enjoy the pristine stretches of sand and good surf.
Yet Volusia County is known as the 'shark bite capital of the world', so visitors enter the water here at their peril. Although statistically getting bitten by a shark is pretty unlikely, the Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File recorded 16 bites (all non-fatal) throughout 2023 in Florida alone, with half of those occurring in Volusia County. From 2012 to 2021, there were 94 non-fatal shark bites documented in the county.
Once an inviting tropical hangout for surfers, the city of Recife still attracts plenty of attention for its cultural attractions, vibrant carnival and dazzling urban beaches. One of the most enduringly popular stretches of sand is Boa Viagem, fringed with coconut trees and multicoloured parasols. But while a dip in the ocean might be tempting, you’d be much safer on a sun-bed with a good book…
Though the city is named for the offshore reefs found in its waters, Recife is home to other kinds of marine life that are far more malevolent. Sharks are known to swarm around Boa Viagem, where 21 fatal attacks occurred between 1992 and 2012. It’s thought the sudden increase in shark bites from 1992 onwards was due to the construction of nearby Port Suape, which significantly affected the predators’ behaviour. Recife has since banned all surfing, while Boa Viagem has one of the highest shark attack rates in the world.
Located along Kauai’s fabled Na Pali Coast, remote Hanakapiai Beach can only be reached by hiking the scenic Kalalau Trail. While it might seem like there would be nothing more rewarding at the end of it than jumping into the sea for a refreshing swim, think again – because this beach is as deadly as it is beautiful.
With no coral reef protecting the Na Pali Coast from the Pacific’s almighty power, Hanakapiai Beach is prone to extremely strong riptides that have claimed the lives of dozens of visitors. If the tallies carved into a wooden sign at the beach are to be believed, some 80 people have drowned in the turbulent waters since the 1980s. The nearby Hanakapiai river is often too dangerous to cross and swim in when the flow is fast-moving.
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