We love escaping that hot summer air by jumping in the
water for a refreshing swim. We find a nice lake or beach, dive in, and
relax. Unfortunately, some of us don’t expect what these bodies of water
hold. Some hold snakes, others sharks, and others still deadly poisons
that can kill you in seconds. Here, we take a sampling of some of the
most dangerous places to swim on Earth. You can’t say we didn’t warn
you.
Once at the bottom, having succumbed to these currents, you will not have a good time. The result, as you’ll notice, isn’t something that you’d like. Seeing as how you can’t breathe underwater, you’d probably rather spend your time on land. If this is the case, we’d recommend that you keep yourself out of these turbulent waters.
On Tiger Beach, for instance, you will find a great abundance of tiger sharks. And tiger sharks, in case you were unaware, are one of the more vicious of shark species. You’re likely safe, however, if you decide to venture into these waters. The risk of shark attacks everywhere is vanishingly low. Just try not to look like a seal.
Here, we have another case of looks deceiving us into peril. The lake is considered an “exploding” lake, which means that, on occasion, it can erupt. This is due to the unstable ground afforded to it by a nearby volcano. Unfortunately, when this lake erupts it releases into the air bountiful carbon dioxide. And the C02 is, let’s just say, deadly.
In tandem with these strong rip tides are the presence of warm-water cannonball jellyfish. These jellyfish are deadly, and can paralyze those that they sting in the water. While neither is likely to kill on their own, when they combine they can create a constellation of danger. The result could be drowning.
To get into the area surrounding the lake, you need a permit. This is wise, given that the area is so clearly dangerous. What’s more, is that the place can succumb to volcanic eruptions. One particular eruption had lasted for a total of around two years, inducing the release of toxic gases from the crater’s center. Ultimately, this is not a place that you would like to swim.
he main problem is that you get shocked while in the water. If you undergo severe paralysis, then, you will likely drown. The Gulf of Thailand, unfortunately, is replete with these little guys. If you aim to swim in such waters, then, we recommend that you protect yourself with the appropriate clothing. That, or you just cross your fingers for good luck. You’ll likely need it.
The result was this large and largely poisonous crater lake. In total, the crater ripped around 353 million cubic feet of dirt from the ground, creating a crater about 300 feet deep and 1,300 feet wide. The crater, because of how it was formed, is beyond toxic. This is mostly due to the radioactivity of the region, which can induce cellular mutations that will manifest as caustic. You might want to find another swimming hole.
Because of this mystery, many have claimed it unsafe to swim in the body of water. Its depths might hold mysterious sea creatures, swamp monsters, and other illicit fiends of the deep. Whatever it is, people find it strange that the bottom of this lake has been so mysterious. You should find it odd too, and perhaps find another place to swim.
Because of this, the toxicity of the lake has become unbalanced. Now, unfortunately, it has an extremely high concentration of carbonates and other things. This has made the waters of Mono Lake inhospitably toxic. If you’re looking for a swim, then, we’d recommend that you head back to Tahoe. The waters are much more palatable there.
The Beqa Lagoon, like Reunion Island, is replete with sharks. And these sharks, once seen, cannot be unseen. So, once you’re surrounded by these bad boys, you will likely panic, lose all of your oxygen, and drown. Okay, maybe not. But you will suffer an increased risk of shark attack. And this is definitely no good.
Because of this, the lake is prone to mild geologic activity. On August 21, 1986, one particular eruption would prove deadly. This eruption induced the release of a toxic C02 cloud from the bottom of its waters. Once this cloud entered the air, it killed 1,700 people and 3,000 livestock animals. The result is one of the deadliest limnic (explosion of C02 gas) disasters ever to have occurred.
What makes Lake Pustoye so mysterious is that things have an exceptionally challenging time living there. Why? Nobody knows! Scientists have purportedly tried to fill the lake with fish and plant species to see if they could reproduce in the waters, but to no avail. These conditions make the lake something that you might not want to swim in.
Other than the danger of the actual lava, the pit exudes a toxic amount of carbon dioxide from its orifice. If enough of this is inhaled, the person affected will first pass out and then suffocate. So in the case of this “lake,” even getting close to it could prove deadly. If you’re looking for a place to swim, then, you might want to find somewhere else. This one likely wouldn’t end well.
It doesn’t take a chemist to know that toxic water is detrimental to your health. In aggregate, the pool is around a half-mile wide and 1,780 feet deep. Much of the body of water is filled with abhorrently toxic chemicals, though, so not an inch of the stuff should be touched. If you’re in Montana, then, you will want to find yourself another lake in which to take a dip.
While once pristine, these lakes have turned into a literal cesspool. Locals that live in areas around the waters have began to dumb their waste in the waters as well, compounding their grossness. So unless you like bathing in nastiness, we suggest you find another place to swim. The result will be something far more salubrious. You’ll probably thank us for it later.
1. Potomac River
Some of these dangerous places are not those that you would expect. Some, for instance, are in places like Maryland and West Virginia. In the Potomac River, for instance, you’ll find rapids that can easily pull you under. And through these, you can quickly find yourself at the bottom of the water.Once at the bottom, having succumbed to these currents, you will not have a good time. The result, as you’ll notice, isn’t something that you’d like. Seeing as how you can’t breathe underwater, you’d probably rather spend your time on land. If this is the case, we’d recommend that you keep yourself out of these turbulent waters.
2. West End, Grand Bahama Islands
The Bahamas are one of those places that everyone should visit. Off the coast of Florida, they hold some of the most beautiful swimming conditions imaginable. But they also, as one might expect, hold lots of sea life that proves just a little more than dangerous. And again, this danger comes often from sharks.On Tiger Beach, for instance, you will find a great abundance of tiger sharks. And tiger sharks, in case you were unaware, are one of the more vicious of shark species. You’re likely safe, however, if you decide to venture into these waters. The risk of shark attacks everywhere is vanishingly low. Just try not to look like a seal.
3. Lake Kivu
Rwanada has a sordid history. Having been split into competing groups by controlling powers in the early- and mid-19th century, the place has had its moments. But, it also has something else that many of us would consider sordid. This thing is Lake Kivu, one of the most dangerous lakes on planet Earth.Here, we have another case of looks deceiving us into peril. The lake is considered an “exploding” lake, which means that, on occasion, it can erupt. This is due to the unstable ground afforded to it by a nearby volcano. Unfortunately, when this lake erupts it releases into the air bountiful carbon dioxide. And the C02 is, let’s just say, deadly.
4. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach is just your regular, run-of-the-mill beach in South Carolina. On occasion, however, the beach can turn deadly. The primary reasons for this deadly timbre are the nature of its rip tides. These can, on some unfortunate days, induce trouble for those who are caught in them.In tandem with these strong rip tides are the presence of warm-water cannonball jellyfish. These jellyfish are deadly, and can paralyze those that they sting in the water. While neither is likely to kill on their own, when they combine they can create a constellation of danger. The result could be drowning.
5. Laguna Caliente
In English, the Laguna Caliente translates to “hot lagoon.” And by “hot” they mean extremely high temperatures. Located in the center of a stratovolcano in Costa Rica, this lake will literally burn your flesh off. If you choose to swim through it, then, it might be your last swim on Earth.To get into the area surrounding the lake, you need a permit. This is wise, given that the area is so clearly dangerous. What’s more, is that the place can succumb to volcanic eruptions. One particular eruption had lasted for a total of around two years, inducing the release of toxic gases from the crater’s center. Ultimately, this is not a place that you would like to swim.
6. Gulf of Thailand
There are certain animals that you will find in the ocean that should induce you to tears. One of these animals is the box jellyfish. This little creature (measuring at max around eight inches long) can give such a powerful sting that those it comes into contact can die from shock.he main problem is that you get shocked while in the water. If you undergo severe paralysis, then, you will likely drown. The Gulf of Thailand, unfortunately, is replete with these little guys. If you aim to swim in such waters, then, we recommend that you protect yourself with the appropriate clothing. That, or you just cross your fingers for good luck. You’ll likely need it.
7. Lake Chagan, Kazakhstan
If a lake has another title as the “Nuclear Lake,” you might suspect that it is not a prime location to swim in. And with this suspicion, you would have guessed right. Lake Chagan (colloquially referred to as Nuclear Lake) in Kazakhstan is one such location. This lake was formed by the detonation of an underground Russian nuclear bomb.The result was this large and largely poisonous crater lake. In total, the crater ripped around 353 million cubic feet of dirt from the ground, creating a crater about 300 feet deep and 1,300 feet wide. The crater, because of how it was formed, is beyond toxic. This is mostly due to the radioactivity of the region, which can induce cellular mutations that will manifest as caustic. You might want to find another swimming hole.
8. Blue Lake
Blue Lake is a body of water located in Kabardino-Balkaria (Russia). The lake has been of interests to scientists and laypeople because of its extraordinarily blue color. This color is due to the high presence of hydrogen sulfide in its waters. Mysteriously, despite this interest, no one has reported being able to find the bottom.Because of this mystery, many have claimed it unsafe to swim in the body of water. Its depths might hold mysterious sea creatures, swamp monsters, and other illicit fiends of the deep. Whatever it is, people find it strange that the bottom of this lake has been so mysterious. You should find it odd too, and perhaps find another place to swim.
9. Mono Lake, California
Mono Lake is a particular body of water just outside of Lake Tahoe. Home to some equally peculiar geological features, the lake has been of interest to many who would otherwise just pass through the Lake Tahoe town. Unfortunately, due to tributaries in nearby towns like Los Angeles, the lake has been drained of vital resources.Because of this, the toxicity of the lake has become unbalanced. Now, unfortunately, it has an extremely high concentration of carbonates and other things. This has made the waters of Mono Lake inhospitably toxic. If you’re looking for a swim, then, we’d recommend that you head back to Tahoe. The waters are much more palatable there.
10. Beqa Lagoon
Lagoons are one of the coolest places to hang out. They are normally surrounded by lush forestry and cool waters that provide a haven from the lands above. But sometimes they are also home to the things we would rather not see. The Beqa Lagoon in Fiji is a prime example of this.The Beqa Lagoon, like Reunion Island, is replete with sharks. And these sharks, once seen, cannot be unseen. So, once you’re surrounded by these bad boys, you will likely panic, lose all of your oxygen, and drown. Okay, maybe not. But you will suffer an increased risk of shark attack. And this is definitely no good.
11. Lake Nyos, Cameroon
Lake Nyos is a crater lake in Cameroon, Africa. Formed from the collision of an ancient asteroid, the lake has remained relatively docile since its inception. It is, however, located at the boundary of the Cameroon Volcanic Line, an area in which there is ample volcanic activity.Because of this, the lake is prone to mild geologic activity. On August 21, 1986, one particular eruption would prove deadly. This eruption induced the release of a toxic C02 cloud from the bottom of its waters. Once this cloud entered the air, it killed 1,700 people and 3,000 livestock animals. The result is one of the deadliest limnic (explosion of C02 gas) disasters ever to have occurred.
12. Pustoye Lake, Siberia
Other than the cold, the Siberian north has much to offer. While much of this is derelict land that is difficult to inhabit, some of it is not. Here, we have one of the latter: Lake Pustoye. This lake, despite its idyllic appearance, is actually quite mysterious. And because of this, it is likely a location you should avoid to swim.What makes Lake Pustoye so mysterious is that things have an exceptionally challenging time living there. Why? Nobody knows! Scientists have purportedly tried to fill the lake with fish and plant species to see if they could reproduce in the waters, but to no avail. These conditions make the lake something that you might not want to swim in.
13. Nyiragongo
The Nyiragongo in the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa is not a place that you would like to swim. And why, exactly, is this? Well, because it is a volcano of course. Known as the largest lava pit in the world, this region is home to one of the hottest swimming holes on the planet. Now, unless you’re Beelzebub himself, this lake likely won’t prove refreshing.Other than the danger of the actual lava, the pit exudes a toxic amount of carbon dioxide from its orifice. If enough of this is inhaled, the person affected will first pass out and then suffocate. So in the case of this “lake,” even getting close to it could prove deadly. If you’re looking for a place to swim, then, you might want to find somewhere else. This one likely wouldn’t end well.
14. Berkeley Pitt
Not named after the famous enlightenment philosopher, Berkeley Pitt in Butte Montana is not somewhere that you should swim. The lake used to be a copper mine, yet filled with water after a substantial amount of non-use. But because of the mine’s chemical composition, the small pit of water is considered extremely toxic.It doesn’t take a chemist to know that toxic water is detrimental to your health. In aggregate, the pool is around a half-mile wide and 1,780 feet deep. Much of the body of water is filled with abhorrently toxic chemicals, though, so not an inch of the stuff should be touched. If you’re in Montana, then, you will want to find yourself another lake in which to take a dip.
15. Mumbai, India
India is home to some of the most beautiful beaches on planet Earth. Also, however, it is home to some of the most toxic. Much of this is due to unencumbered industrialization. This shift in social practices has induced many people to distribute industrial waste and other unmentionables into the water. In Mumbai, India, this has become a particular problem.While once pristine, these lakes have turned into a literal cesspool. Locals that live in areas around the waters have began to dumb their waste in the waters as well, compounding their grossness. So unless you like bathing in nastiness, we suggest you find another place to swim. The result will be something far more salubrious. You’ll probably thank us for it later.
