Buzz
Swimming is a popular activity enjoyed by many, whether it's wading in shallow waters or diving deep below the surface. However, there are some places where it's wise to skip the swim and just enjoy the view from dry land instead.
10. Mumbai
Mumbai, India, a bustling coastal metropolis, boasts numerous beaches. Unfortunately, most of these beaches are not suitable for swimming. This is due to the significant pollution in the waters, caused by untreated sewage being dumped directly into the sea. Despite the presence of a sewage system, much of the waste bypasses it, flowing straight into rivers and coastal areas. Additionally, the dumping of waste by slum residents into storm drains significantly contributes to the problem.
The pollution situation continues to worsen, with pollutant levels, especially human and animal waste, rising at nearly every beach in Mumbai, which exposes swimmers to health risks. Many bathers have reported skin rashes and itching after swimming. Girgaon Chaupati, Mumbai's busiest beach, has fecal bacteria levels that are four times the acceptable limit, while other beaches are even worse.
Despite the pollution, Mumbai’s beaches remain popular, especially during the annual Ganesh Chaturthi festival. This event celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, with the culmination being the immersion of Lord Ganesha idols in the sea. Girgaon Chaupati hosts the largest of these immersion ceremonies.
9. New Smyrna Beach
New Smyrna Beach in Volusia County, Florida, is a prime surfing spot... and also a place where swimmers might encounter sharks. The waters here teem with fish, which attract large numbers of sharks. Due to the beach's popularity with surfers, it has earned the title of the “shark attack capital of the world” according to the International Shark Attack File. Experts estimate that swimmers in these waters will come within 3 meters (10 ft) of a shark, with bull sharks—known for their aggression—being spotted in the area.
Volusia County, largely due to New Smyrna Beach, has gained a notorious reputation for shark attacks. In 2008, more than one-third of the world’s unprovoked shark attacks occurred in the waters off the county’s coast. Additionally, Florida recorded more shark attacks from 2004 to 2013 than both Australia and South Africa combined.
8. Bubbly Creek
Though the name “Bubbly Creek” might seem inviting, the waterway itself tells a different story. “Bubbly Creek” refers to the South Fork of the South Branch of the Chicago River. In the early 1900s, the Chicago River’s flow was reversed to divert it toward the Mississippi River, away from Lake Michigan, to prevent pollution from contaminating the city’s drinking water. This reversal has made the cleanup of the river a challenging task over the years.
Bubbly Creek is known as the most polluted stretch of the river. The name comes from bubbles that rise to the surface, caused by decomposing animal remains—primarily from the meatpacking industry. For over a century, waste, including blood, manure, urine, and animal parts, was discarded by the nearby Union Stockyard into the creek. Even today, the creek remains so polluted that decomposition is slow, and bloodworms are among the few creatures that survive, feeding on the waste. A 2014 study revealed a 1-meter (3 ft) thick layer of animal remains at the creek’s bottom. The US Army Corps of Engineers is working on a project to dredge the creek and improve its oxygen levels.
7. Samaesan Hole
In the Gulf of Thailand, there exists a perilous deep point known as the “black silty hole of death.” Samaesan Hole, named after a nearby fishing village, is the deepest dive site in the Gulf, plunging to 85 meters (280 feet). Divers who attempt to explore it must contend with strong currents, heavy traffic from oil tankers, and poor visibility as they descend. Additionally, the site was once used by the US Navy as an ammunition dump, leaving behind unexploded ordnance.
Why would anyone venture into the Samaesan Hole? Because it's a thrilling challenge for experienced diving enthusiasts. Only Trimix-certified divers are allowed to explore this treacherous site. Trimix is a blend of oxygen, nitrogen, and helium used for deep dives. Divers are also required to carry multiple lights, dive computers, and undergo formal technical diving training. Despite all the necessary equipment, the dive remains hazardous. In 1998, the first divers to attempt it faced severe equipment malfunctions, with dive computers damaged beyond repair and lights imploding during the descent.
6. Yenisei River
Russia's Yenisei River, also spelled Yenisey, serves as a natural divide between Western and Eastern Siberia, flowing northward into the Kara Sea. As the sixth-largest river in the world by discharge, it spans thousands of kilometers and passes through major cities. It is also a crucial source of hydroelectric power, and many Siberian communities rely on it for fishing.
Beyond its importance as a waterway, the Yenisei is also heavily contaminated with radioactivity. A plutonium factory located near Bolshoi Balchug has been releasing radioactive particles into the river for decades. These radioactive isotopes have been detected hundreds of kilometers downstream from the facility. Despite this, the factory's management maintains that there is no radiation threat.
Approximately 64,000 people live in communities downstream from the factory, in addition to many others living along the river where radiation has been detected. Statistically significant increases in breast cancer, leukemia, and genetic defects have been observed in these populations. Despite the radiation concerns, locals continue to consume fish from the river, hoping to avoid falling ill.
5. Horseshoe Lake
Horseshoe Lake in California offers a range of outdoor activities: boating, swimming, sandy beaches, picnic spots, hiking trails, and over 40 hectares (100 acres) of dead trees. This unusual feature resulted from a series of small earthquakes in 1989 and 1990, which allowed carbon dioxide from magma below the surface to rise, ultimately killing the trees.
Although the risk of a volcanic eruption is low, Horseshoe Lake holds a deadly danger: unpredictable fluctuations in gas levels. A family could have a pleasant picnic one year, only to face the threat of asphyxiation the next. Warning signs are placed around the lake to alert visitors to the danger. Carbon dioxide, being denser than air, tends to collect in low-lying areas such as depressions, the lake's shore, and its surface, making these spots more hazardous. While the lake is generally safe, fatalities have occurred. A man died on the lake in 1998, and in 2006, three ski patrol members suffocated in a snow pit on nearby Mammoth Mountain.
4. Eagle’s Nest Sinkhole
Eagle’s Nest Sinkhole, also known as the “Lost Sink,” located near St. Petersburg, Florida, is often referred to as the Mount Everest of diving. At first glance, it appears to be just a pond, but hidden beneath are narrow shafts that lead into an expansive underwater cave system. This cave system spans over 2 kilometers (1 mile) of mapped passages, features rooms larger than a football field, and contains narrow shafts only wide enough for a doorway. The deepest point of the cave lies 94 meters (310 feet) below the surface.
The comparison to Mount Everest comes from the site's remoteness, the complexity of the dive, and its breathtaking beauty. However, it is also an exceptionally hazardous dive location. Due to the depth of Eagle’s Nest Sinkhole, Trimix certification is highly advised. Using regular air while diving below 46 meters (150 feet) can cause disorientation. It is also recommended to have cave diving certification, prior experience, and to dive with a guide who is familiar with the area. Divers must follow specific guidelines to safely navigate back to the surface.
Despite experience and proper equipment, seasoned divers have lost their lives in Eagle’s Nest. Some have passed out, while others became entangled in their own guidelines and ultimately ran out of air. The location’s isolation means that help is far away, and only other cave divers are qualified to perform rescues. In 1999, Eagle’s Nest was closed due to these fatalities, but it reopened in 2003. A day pass for diving costs $3.
3. Hanakapiai Beach
Hawaii’s islands are famous for their stunning beaches, but not all of them are safe for swimming. Hanakapiai Beach, located on Kauai’s Na Pali coast, is one such beach. It is a gorgeous, yet perilous destination, found at the end of a challenging, rocky 3.2-kilometer (2-mile) trail.
The beach’s isolation means there are no lifeguards on duty, and no quick rescue options if trouble strikes. The primary hazard at Hanakapiai is the powerful rip currents that are capable of sweeping even the most experienced swimmers out to sea. These currents are almost always present, as there is no reef to shield the shoreline. Additionally, the geography of the area makes it such that the nearest safe beach is 10 kilometers (6 miles) away, leaving no immediate refuge.
Hanakapiai has seen more drownings than any other beach on Kauai. The remains of 15 drowning victims have never been recovered. A sign on the beach marks each life lost, with over 80 tally marks. Visitors are strongly urged to stay out of the water altogether.
2. The Strid
The River Wharfe in Yorkshire, England, is home to a notorious section known as 'the Strid.' The term 'strid' is derived from the local word for 'stride,' which is appropriate since the Strid is much narrower than the rest of the River Wharfe, spanning only a single stride (or short leap) in width. It’s the kind of creek that a hiker might casually consider jumping over or stepping into without a second thought.
However, the Strid’s appearance is deceiving. The current in this narrow section is far stronger than elsewhere in the River Wharfe, due to the limited width, and has carved deeply into the limestone, creating a much deeper section of the river. The current has also undercut the banks of the Strid, making its edges deceptive, with ledges that hang over a much wider and deeper waterway than one might realize. These features spell certain danger for anyone who falls in. Over the years, many have been pulled under and drowned in its depths. No one has ever fallen into the Strid and emerged alive.
1. Kipu Falls
If you decide to take a swim at Kipu Falls in Kauai, the best outcome may simply be a trespassing charge. At worst, you may never leave the swimming hole. Despite being situated on private land, Kipu Falls has long been a popular destination for swimmers, featuring in tourist guidebooks since the 1990s. A short walk along a dirt path leads to a stunning 6-meter (20 ft) waterfall, which cascades into a peaceful pool below.
Sadly, Kipu Falls, despite its beauty, has been the site of numerous injuries and fatalities, some of which remain baffling. In addition to the obvious risks of jumping from the falls, people have drowned under inexplicable circumstances. Some swimmers were seen moving normally, only to suddenly become distressed and vanish beneath the water's surface, never to resurface until their bodies were recovered from the bottom of the pool. Some locals suggest a mo’o, a reptilian water spirit, drags victims down, while others believe a hidden whirlpool is responsible for the disappearances.
Regardless of the cause, the Kauai Visitors Bureau has urged tourist guidebooks to exclude any mention of Kipu Falls. The area is now enclosed with a fence, and swimmers attempting to access the falls will face legal consequences.
