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Cape Tribulation, Australia -

This idyllic area of Queenstown is teeming with dangerous creatures, including jellyfish, saltwater crocodiles, snakes, and the massive flightless birds called cassowaries.  

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Copacabana beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil -

One of Rio's most famous beaches is also one of the most targeted by criminals. The biggest danger here is crime. 

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Lamu Island beach, Kenya -

Lamu Island is gorgeous, but it's also a hotspot for Somalian pirates. There have even been kidnappings on the island. 

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Uttakleiv Beach, Norway -

Visiting Norway's Vestvågøy island in Lofoten can be an unforgettable experience. But stick to observing nature and the northern lights. The beach may seem inviting, but water temperatures can be life-threatening low. 

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West End beach, Bahamas -

Going for a swim at this beach may sound like a good idea, but it really isn't. Here you'll find the world's largest concentration of tiger sharks. 

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Dumas beach, India -

Dumas Beach is dubbed one of the most haunted beaches in the world. This is because it used to be a cremation ground. And if that wasn't enough, you may have an encounter with a king cobra there too. 

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Morecambe Bay, Lancashire, UK -

What's the problem with this beach in North West England? The terrain, most notably. Beware of dangerous quicksand at this picturesque spot. 

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Reunion Island beaches -

Located off the coast of Madagascar, Reunion Island is a natural haven and a surfer's paradise. Sadly, an increasing number of shark attacks have been reported by surfers over the years.

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Amazon River beaches, Brazil -

You may be tempted to go for a dip in the Amazon River, but you risk sharing the water with flesh-eating piranhas, eels, anacondas, and parasitic fish.  

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Gansbaai, South Africa -

Gensaain is home to thousands of sea lions, which in turn attracts sharks. Gansbaai, also known as Shark Alley, is a hotspot for shark cage diving.

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Kosi Bay, South Africa -

This calm bay in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa is home to numerous bull sharks, which are the world's most aggressive shark species. 

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Praia do Norte, Nazaré, Portugal -

Praia do Norte is famous for its giant waves, so it goes without saying it's not a swimmer-friendly destination.  

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New Smyrna Beach, Florida, US -

This city and its beach attract surfers from all around Florida, but it has one big problem: sharks. New Smyrna Beach is located in Volusia County, which has been dubbed the "shark bite capital of the world." 

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El Tayrona beach, Colombia -

Tayrona National Natural Park in northern Colombia is definitely worth a visit. Just beware that there are a few dangers lurking, including strong currents as well as wild animals such as caiman and jaguars. 

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Boa Viagem beach, Recife, Brazil -

This beach in Recife has one of the highest shark attack rates on the planet, many of which are fatal. As such, it's best to stay away from the water.

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Shenzhen beach, China -

This Shenzhen beach is considered dangerous due to overcrowding, and all that's associated with it. Accidents and petty theft are common. 

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Second beach, Port St. Johns , South Africa -

Sharing the beach with Nguni cattle will be the least of your problems on this beach. The real danger lies in the water. Yes, we're talking about sharks, mostly bull sharks. 

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Monastery Beach, Carmel, California, US -

Monastery Beach, also known as "Mortuary Beach" is part of California's Red Triangle, an area where most of the US's great white shark attacks occur. The beach also has strong undercurrents.

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Acapulco beach, Mexico -

Acapulco's beach resorts attract thousands of tourists every year, but the danger posed by drug cartels in the region is very much present. 

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Bolsa Chica State Beach, Orange County, California, US -

Venomous sea snakes, anyone? You may risk sharing the water with a yellow-bellied sea snake (Pelamis platura) at Bolsa Chica State Beach. 

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Skeleton Coast, Namibia -

This stretch where the Namib desert meets the Atlantic Ocean is extremely dangerous. Not only is it home to several shark species, but land animals such as lions and hyenas have been spotted roaming on the beach.  

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Staithes Beach, Yorkshire, UK -

Water pollution earns Staithes Beach a spot on this list. Sewage drains into the harbor making it a dangerous place to go for a dip. 

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Hanakapiai beach, Hawaii -

Located in Kauai, this beach has very strong rip tides and waves, that have claimed the lives of a number of people over the years.

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Fraser Island, Australia -

Fraser Island's biggest danger lies in the water. We're talking about the Irukandji jellyfish, which is one of the most venomous in the world. What's more, there are also packs of dingoes (Australian wild dogs) that roam the area.

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Kilauea beach, Hawaii -

This black sand beach near the Kilauea volcano on the Big Island is gorgeous, but it's also potentially fatal. This is because lava constantly flows into the ocean, bringing water temperatures up to dangerous levels. 

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Chowpatty beach, Mumbai, India -

Arguably one of the most polluted beaches in the world, Chowpatty is as dirty as it gets, with sewage, garbage, and sunken coal being among the worst offenders. 

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Cable Beach, Australia -

Located in Broome, Western Australia, this beach is teeming with (dangerous) wildlife, including saltwater crocodiles, box jellyfish, pointer sharks, snakes, and spiders.

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Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, US -

Myrtle Beach has a high crime rate compared to the rest of the country, so it might not be the most tranquil or safe place to go on vacation. 

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East Arnhem Land, Australia -

Crocodiles, stonefish, and jellyfish are just a few of the dangers you might encounter at this beach in the Northern Territory. 

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Playa Zipolite, Mexico -

Also known as "Playa de Los Muertos," ("Beach of the Dead"), swimmers should avoid it because of its strong riptides. 

Sources: (Reader's Digest) (The Weather Channel) (Fodor's Travel) (Critical Financial) (Far and Wide)

See also: Discover the most highly rated beaches in the world

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