Swimming’s a great past time, especially during the scorching summer heat. Sometimes, all you want to do is take a dip in the nearest body of water and cool off. But just because certain swimming spots appear to be safe, it doesn’t mean they are. So, we’ve gathered a list of places that are wondrous and refreshing but also extremely dangerous. So, don’t you dare go swimming if you know what’s good for you. Heed our warning, or you might end up regretting it.You can literally see all the way down this lake, but be careful. There are caves and tunnels underneath. A lot of swimmers have gone under to check them out but never made it back up, at least, not alive. Only licensed Scuba divers should explore this well.

If you value your legs, arms and your life, then stir clear of the Nile River. There are hundreds of crocodile attacks every year in these waters. You certainly don’t want to risk being attacked, do you?

It’s a beautiful site. Definitely worth a visit, but don’t swim in it. The high tides have been known to claim the lives of about 80 people. In fact, two kids nearly lost their lives until their dad came to their rescue.

It’s so deep that it can get terrifyingly dark down there. Even an experienced diver might not be able to find their way back to the surface in time. So avoid this hole. There are other beautiful things to see in Thailand.

The Mayak Production Association is a nuclear waste storage and processing facility that’s been dumping radioactive material in the lake for years. So, swimming in this lake for an hour could cost you your life. Even standing on the shore will expose you to deadly radiation.

The hole is about 300 feet deep but more than 10 divers have tried to reach the bottom and lost their lives in the process. So, no matter how tempted you might be to dive in, don’t become a statistic.

You eat fish for dinner. You don’t let them eat you. So, don’t swim in the Amazon Basin. Aside from piranhas, there are rumors that the Candiru fish lurk here too, and they reported like to swim up your urinary tract and mess with your reproductive system.

The reason this body of water earned this nickname should be pretty obvious. The waters are infested with sharks. They’ll probably smell you a mile away even if you’re just dipping your toes in the water.

It’s the lake’s vastness that makes the weather in this body of water so unpredictable. One wind-whipped wave can knock you off your boat. The lake has claimed over 5000 lives. Why gamble for a swim?

Oh sure, it’s lovely, which is why so many people want to jump right in and have some fun. But sadly, hundreds of textile factories have polluted the water with arsenic, lead, and mercury, making this river too dangerous to swim in.

It will likely peel your skin right off because the water is so acidic. This was caused by the high concentration of natural metal. The river drains an area with large sulfide deposits. When the sulfides are exposed to air, water and microbes, drainage from the acidic rocks flow into the groundwater.

A couple of earthquakes led to carbon dioxide being released from the ground. This also caused the destruction of all the vegetation in the area. So, you’re probably safer taking a dip in a public pool.

If you’re a herpetologist then it’s not a problem. But if you’re looking to escape the summer heat in the Gulf Coast, you might end up getting bit by some poisonous snake. And yes! Snakes swim better and faster than people!

The dam is dangerous mainly because of the strong currents. The number of intakes around the dam will pull the current and anything caught in it down at a steady pace. So, if you go in you won’t come out.

There are tons of tiny hidden currents in this body of water. What’s worse is that the currents can drag you under and trap you under the rocks. That’s pretty terrifying for an area of water innocently named the Strid.

But the lake’s high pH levels are at 11.3. So, it would be like swimming in a lagoon full of bleach or ammonia. Plus, trash and animal carcasses are commonly found the water too. So, don’t let the blue water win you over. Your skin will peel if you go for a swim.

But when the area became industrialized, the water was polluted by things like carbon emissions. But the population also contributed to the pollution which made the Ganges River unsuitable for swimming.

So far, the island has recorded about 39 shark attacks, which is pretty low given the number of locals and tourists that swim in these waters. So, if you decide to go swimming in the world’s shark capital, you’re literally risking life and limb.

It’s actually a total nightmare given that the shores are littered with box jellyfish that can cause your heart to stop with one sting. Then there are the sharks, saltwater crocodiles, and blue-ringed octopi.

This area is infested with great white sharks. So, if you go diving at this beach, the sharks might confuse you for the turtles and seals that also live on the beach. To these sea predators, you’re the new white meat.

This location is practically a nexus for sharks, despite the fact that it’s still quite a lovely place to cool off during the summer. But it’s better to play it safe by avoiding New Smyrna Beach. Why not play beach volleyball instead?

It’s why tourists are always looking to go for a swim here. Unfortunately, the edge of the falls is known as “The Devil’s Pools” and with good reasons. Some swimmers don’t see the dip on the fall’s lip and they fall to their doom.

Whether they like it or not, the rapids of the Potomac River are so powerful, they can pull someone to the bottom with ease. It doesn’t matter how good of a swimmer you are because the current is stronger.

Tiger Beach is also located in this area and it’s home to the deadly tiger sharks. They’re considered the most dangerous sharks in the sea, so if you go for a swim you may not come back in one piece or at all.

This lake is also known as an exploding lake because the ground stems from a volcano. So, once this lake erupts, it releases toxic levels of carbon dioxide and methane that will make the water deadly to any living thing.

Aside from the strong rip tides, there are tons of cannonball jellyfish which can sting you and leave you paralyzed in the middle of the water. And that’s the last thing you want especially if there’s no one around to help you.

Scientists have found hydrogen sulfide which is what gives the lake it’s deep blue hue. But no one has managed to find the bottom of the lake. So, it’s probably best not to dive in this lake and just stay on the shore.

Cities like Los Angeles have polluted the lake with high levels of chemicals like carbonates that have practically drained the lake’s water of its resources. So, why would you go swimming in toxic waste?

The lake is right smack in the center of a stratovolcano which makes the water extremely hot. In fact, the temperatures rise so much that it’s like dipping into boiling water causing your flesh to burn right off.

The lake was formed as a result of the explosion of a Russian nuclear bomb underground. This led to a massive crate that is highly radioactive and obviously toxic to all forms of life, especially humans.

The water itself isn’t dangerous but since it’s very close to the Cameroon Volcanic Line, you certainly don’t want to wind up like the 1,700 people who got caught in a series of eruptions and lost their lives.

Its nearby lake, Lake Kivu is in close proximity to one of the world’s largest lava pits. Aside from the constant threat of the volcano erupting, the lava pit also releases toxic levels of carbon dioxide that can suffocate the life out of people.

The waters in Mumbai used to be clear but these days, they’re filled with tons of pollution that have made the once beautiful waters very toxic to living things. Fortunately, there are other things to do in Mumbai.

The lake was once a copper mine, which makes the tiny body of water highly toxic. Your skin wouldn’t do very well if it came into contact with the dangerous waters. Even a few moments of exposure can lead to dire consequences.

Sharks call this lagoon home and there are tons of them. So, even if you think you’re safe because there are a bunch of other people in the water, you’re wrong. To these sharks, you’re nothing more than a delicious snack.

Scientists have released a number of fishes into the water but they always come back lifeless. So, what’s killing them? Scientists don’t have a clue, but why take the chance? Just avoid it. Besides, this region usually has chilly weather anyway.

What lies beneath the lake is hot magma that can cause the water to boil. So, imagine what it would feel like to accidentally pour boiling water all over your body. That’s what swimming in this lake will be like.

There are all sorts of gross runoff that has made its way into the river and the creek, including litter and discarded matter. As this stuff decays, bubbles form, hence the name Bubbly Creek. But you’re better off finding a jacuzzi.

Supposedly, ancient gods are to blame for the loss of life in this area. But it’s probably just strong currents. Some people have reportedly jumped from the top of the waterfall only to get sucked in 20 feet below shortly after hitting the water.
