Revealed: the world's most dangerous beaches

Troubled waters

Who doesn’t love the beach? Yet as much as the winning combination of sand, sea, and sun never fails to delight, 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 dangerously high pollution levels, these are the world’s most dangerous beaches.

Click through the gallery to discover the beaches where sunburn is the least of your worries...

Juhu Beach, Mumbai, India

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.

Juhu Beach, Mumbai, India

However, Juhu is also one of Mumbai's most polluted beaches with a shocking amount of trash strewn across its sands. A study in 2023 revealed 75.5% 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 of litter, and clean-ups continued into 2025. There have tragically been fatalities here too; in June 2023, four young boys sadly drowned when they were washed away in a high tide while sitting on the Juhu Koliwada jetty. While in August 2025, a 20-year-old man drowned in the same area.

Tamarama Beach, Sydney, Australia

Lovingly known as "Glamarama" by the locals, this dainty 262-foot long 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 Beach, Sydney, Australia

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.

Second Beach, Port St Johns, South Africa

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.

Second Beach, Port St Johns, South Africa

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. Most of the attacks were attributed to bull sharks (pictured). 

In a 2022 National Geographic documentary, it was suggested that the intense killing spree came as a result of more sharks being forced down the coast by increased erosion and rainfall to find safe breeding grounds. While there haven’t been any shark fatalities in recent years the beach’s strong and unpredictable rip tides are another ongoing danger.

Lamu archipelago, Kenya

With their powder-soft sand and crystal-clear waters, the beaches of Lamu look fit for vacation paradise. The idyllic archipelago, which sits off the coast of Kenya in the Indian Ocean, even has a UNESCO-recognized Swahili old town complete with 14th-century stone houses.

But for a time, the islands were more famous for entirely different reasons...

Lamu archipelago, Kenya

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.

Camber Sands, East Sussex, England, UK

A quintessential British seaside escape with rolling sand dunes lining a three-mile 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.

Liking this? Click the Like button above. And click the Follow button above for more great stories from loveEXPLORING 

Camber Sands, East Sussex, England, UK

Sadly though, the tranquil-looking beach has hidden dangers. It’s renowned for its lethal riptides – powerful, fast-flowing bodies of water that occur when wind and waves push large amounts of water towards the shore.

These terrifying tides can drag even experienced swimmers into deep water. Tragically, seven people drowned in Camber Sands in 2016, after which lifeguards were deployed at the beach. Two people who had gotten into difficulties in the treacherous waters were rescued in July 2025 too. 

Adelaide city beaches, Australia

Adelaide's beach suburbs – Glenelg, Henley, Brighton, and Semaphore – are an easy trip from the city center 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. 

Adelaide city beaches, Australia

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. In July 2025, a toxic algae spread across 14 Adelaide sites, including the city's many beaches, before returning to safe levels towards the end of December.

Volusia County beaches, Florida, USA

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 there to enjoy the pristine stretches of sand and good surf.

Volusia County beaches, Florida, USA

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 seven bites (all non-fatal) in the first half of 2025 in Florida alone, with two of those occurring in Volusia County.

A surfer was left with a seriously injured arm when a shark attacked him in the waters of New Smyrna Beach in July 2025. 

City of Huntington Beach, California, USA

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 its legendary waves.

The much-photographed 1,850-foot Huntington Beach Pier is one of the Pacific Coast’s longest – a favorite spot for eating, drinking, and taking in the view.

City of Huntington Beach, California, USA

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.

Stingrays remain an ongoing threat here and a purple flag is raised next to one of the many lifeguard towers if more than two people are stung nearby. Sharks are also a danger – a reported sighting of a great white caused a section of the beach to be temporarily closed in March 2025.

Cable Beach, Western Australia

Renowned for its dramatic sunsets over the Indian Ocean, the 14-mile 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.

Cable Beach, Western Australia

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 2024, 95 jellyfish stings, including two stings by Irukandji box jellyfish, were treated by lifeguards. 2025's figures have not yet been released.

Amazon beaches, Brazil

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. 

Amazon beaches, Brazil

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.

Kedungu Bay, Bali, Indonesia

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.

Kedungu Bay, Bali, Indonesia

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 Indonesia island, as well as nearby Lombok, another renowned surfing hotspot.

Reunion

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 favor of its glitzier neighbor, Mauritius.

Known for epic waves and a laid-back atmosphere, Reunion is a surfer's dream for those in the know. 

Reunion

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.

Scarborough South Bay, Yorkshire, England, UK

A quintessential British seaside resort, Scarborough’s sweeping beaches, amusement arcades, and ice-cream parlors have long attracted tourists.

South Bay is the busiest of the two beaches, popular with families looking for some good, old-fashioned seaside fun.

Scarborough South Bay, Yorkshire, England, UK

But South Bay’s waters leave a lot to be desired in terms of cleanliness. The waters around the Scarborough beach have consistently been classified as "poor" by the Environmental Agency (EA).

The EA’s findings resulted in South Bay having the dubious honor of winning a Brown Flag Award in both 2024 and 2025. Organized by the travel site Holiday Park Guru, the awards name and shame the UK’s dirtiest beaches.

The Algarve, Portugal

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. 

The Algarve, Portugal

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.

Shenzhen, China

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.

Shenzhen, China

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 the number one cause of death in children aged one to 14, according to the World Health Organization.

Koh Tao, Surat Thani, Thailand

The tiny tropical island of Koh Tao is a favorite with divers and snorkelers, thanks to the plethora of marine life that thrive 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.

Koh Tao, Surat Thani, Thailand

Despite seeming like total paradise, Koh Tai has a history of gruesome and suspicious deaths which has seen it nicknamed "Death Island." In 2014, British tourists Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were killed by two Burmese workers, who were later given a life sentence.

Then in June 2021, a millionaire couple, Rakeshwar and Anshoo Sachathamakul, were found dead in the pool of a resort on the island. In 2023, a British diving instructor died suddenly in Koh Tao, marking the fifth death of an instructor in the past few years, while in 2024 the body of a British backpacker was found in a shallow ditch.

Maho Beach, St Maarten

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…

Maho Beach, St Maarten

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.

Cape Tribulation, Queensland, Australia

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…

Cape Tribulation, Queensland, Australia

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 to 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.

Jurassic Coast, Devon and Dorset, England, UK

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 British TV drama Broadchurch filming location, it covers a wide variety of bays, coves, and beaches, many of which have extraordinary cliffs and rock formations.

Jurassic Coast, Devon and Dorset, England, UK

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 falls in the area since.

In April 2021, the area recorded the UK’s largest rockfall in 60 years, with a 984-foot section of coastline just south of Weymouth crumbling to the ground. The sandstone cliffs at West Bay in Dorset also had major rockfalls in January 2023, December 2024, and December 2025. Visitors are advised to stay away from the base of the cliffs at all times.

Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico

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.

Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico

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.

Boa Viagem Beach, Recife, Brazil

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 multicolored parasols.

But while a dip in the ocean might be tempting, you’d be much safer on a sunbed with a good book…

Boa Viagem Beach, Recife, Brazil

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’ behavior. Recife has since banned all surfing, while Boa Viagem has one of the highest shark attack rates in the world.

Reynisfjara Beach, Iceland

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, Iceland

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-story building and rapidly peak without warning, gobbling up anything and anyone in their path.

In August 2025, a nine-year-old German tourist died when she 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.

Kelingking Beach, Bali, Indonesia

For travelers 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 Nusa Penida, 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 definitely best admired from a distance, and not just because you’ll get better photos...

Kelingking Beach, Bali, Indonesia

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 bathing and swimming at all times.

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. In October 2025, a French tourist also died after being swept away by the current. According to Balinese folklore, Nusa Penida is feared to be cursed.

Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape, South Africa

A favorite resort among locals, Plettenberg Bay (better known as "Plett") enjoys almost year-round sunshine and mild weather.

While the cookie-colored beaches are the main draw, the surrounding scenery is incredible too, marked by green mountains and Indigenous forest.

Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape, South Africa

Like much of the coastline along South Africa’s Western Cape, great white sharks have been known to roam the waters of Plett. 2022 saw 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.

Hanakapiai Beach, Hawaii, USA

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.

Hanakapiai Beach, Hawaii, USA

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.

Skeleton Coast, Namibia

A remote and desolate northwestern region of Namibia, the Skeleton Coast gets its eerie name from the numerous shipwrecks and whale and seal bones that litter the shoreline. Over the centuries, hundreds of vessels have fallen victim to the unpredictable Benguela Current of the Atlantic Ocean, as well as the area's shifting sandbanks and thick fog. 

Shipwrecked sailors are likely to have perished here too – it’s doubtful anyone would have survived the inhospitable environment once they’d been washed ashore. 

Skeleton Coast, Namibia

Much of the area now falls within the Skeleton Coast National Park and adventurous visitors are drawn to this uniquely remote and unspoiled region. However, the dangers that sailors of yore faced are still very much a reality.

The coastline’s shallow sandbars, fog, and treacherous currents mean that swimming and sailing should be avoided at all costs. The local wildlife also pose a threat, with hyenas and lions often patrolling the beaches. In May 2025, a German tourist on safari within the Skeleton Coast National Park was tragically mauled to death by a lioness.

Liked this? Click the Like button above. And click the Follow button above for more great stories from loveEXPLORING 

Now discover the world's safest and most dangerous countries