Why is hanakapiai beach so dangerous

Some Kauai beaches are notorious for taking lives, such as Hanakapiai Beach which has an infamous sign at its entrance with the alleged number of people killed photo above. His findings are chilling. There were drownings during that time period, and virtually no beach was spared a fatality. While Hanakapiai was indeed near the top of the list, as well as Lumahai which is also known locally as Lumadie , it was the popular Poipu area that had the most drownings.

Poipu Area 41 2. Hanakapiai 29 3. Lumahai 23 5. Polihale 17 7. This stunning South Pacific island in Micronesia has a seedy past. While it's free from sharks, swells and crime, the U. Today, its beaches are technically open to tourists, but because of radiation contamination, locally grown coconuts and other fruits are considered unsafe to eat.

Fortunately, there are more than islands in Micronesia, so if the destination is on your travel bucket list, you can opt for an island that is more like a Tahitian paradise and less like Chernobyl.

Plenty, it turns out. While Gansbaai Beach is an aquatic playground, it is also home to what is known as Shark Alley. Enough said. Why so many sharks? Every April-September, the waters welcome some 60, sea lions to feast on. There is one way to still enjoy the waters of Gansbaai though: by partaking in a shark-cage diving expedition to get up-close-and-personal with these sea creatures from the safety of an iron cage.

The west coast of Mexico has an untamed beauty that is difficult to find anywhere else in the country. Nowhere is that more true than in the southern beach town of Zipolite, where travelers flock to explore rocky hillsides and rugged coast. Off the coast of Madagascar, this tropical escape used to be a haven for surfers. But since , when there were six reported shark attacks, it has slowly turned into a ghost town. Over the years, the problem has only worsened; just last winter, a surfer was killed by a shark.

The fear of shark attacks has taken a toll on local tourism, helping to preserve the natural beauty of the island but, sadly, stifling the local economy. Beaches near the Kilauea volcano on the Big Island are quintessentially stunning, their stark black sand meeting crystal-clear sea. But Kilaueau has spent the better part of 35 years erupting nearly continuously, spewing lava into the ocean and raising the water temperature up past degrees.

This is the same volcano that explosively erupted in May , destroying homes and prompting the closure of part of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Frequently on the EU's "swimming prohibited" list, this beach is known for its garbage.

Farm sewage drains into the harbor, raising the water pollution levels to an unsafe level. Swimming in said waters can cause diarrhea, E. Chowpatty, which oddly enough is popular among tourists, is dangerously polluted, with an ungodly combination of untreated sewage, garbage and sunken coal seeped into its water and sand. This is one of the most toxic beaches not just in India, but in the entire world. Dumas Beach in the state of Gujarat, along the Arabian Sea, is considered to be one of the most haunted beaches in the world.

Originally a cremation ground, it is reportedly home to spirits that continue to roam its shores. One thing is for certain: Ghosts and poisonous snakes do not make for a relaxing beach getaway. This beach in Port St. In the last five years alone, these sea predators have claimed the lives of eight people. The densely forested island is home to a group of indigenous people who are among the last to resist contact with the outside world.

The Sentinelese are inhospitable to strangers and are known to kill any invaders who come to their shores. This beach is rumored to be among the best surf spots in the world, but few actually attempt to ride its legendary barrels to shore. The surrounding area is peppered with military facilities, though that's not what makes these waters dangerous. The danger lies under the waves, where old nuclear submarines lay on the bottom, slowly leaking radiation.

Darwin, along the northern coast, is one of the most dangerous swimming areas on the continent. Venomous box-jellyfish packs are prevalent between October and May, and crocodiles are an issue year-round. As if that weren't enough, sharks are also a massive problem in this part of the country. Those who do want to swim in Darwin are cautioned to do so only at patrolled beaches. Iconic imagery isn't enough to save the reputation of one of Brazil's most beautiful beaches. Petty crime is one of the biggest problems in this part of the city, so if you are going to head that way it's best to leave the selfie stick at home, and the camera for that matter, as well.

California may be the surf capital of America, but hitting the waves is definitely ill-advised along the Red Triangle in California. This mile stretch, from Today Bay to Big Sur, is home to approximately 40 percent of all great-white shark attacks in the United States. Not only that, but this is where 11 percent of all the shark attacks in the world take place. Cairns, in North Queensland, might be the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, but its waters hold much more than that.

The stings of some of the varieties of jellyfish, like the Irukandji and Chironex fleckeri, can be fatal to humans. The islands of the Philippines are home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and stunning islands like Palawan continue to rise in popularity. But one island in particular, however beautiful, ought to be avoided. In recent years, Mindanao has been the site of a war between Muslim militants and government troops, and tourists have been known to be kidnapped.

Western Australia is home to some seriously serious creatures, and Cable Beach in Broome has a particularly large concentration of scary animals. On land there are poisonous snakes and spiders, and in the water, deadly box jellyfish and white pointer sharks roam.

There are also saltwater crocodiles that lurk beneath the waves. There have been many fatal encounters between swimmers and box jellyfish, especially between November to March, though it's best to stay out of the water without a stinger suit year-round. The dangers of the beaches in Manaus don't lurk in the water.

Rather, these beaches are notorious for high crime rates. If you are going to explore the beaches in Manaus, it is best to leave everything unnecessary at home.

Carry only the minimum cash needed, plus an amount to hand over to thieves, should you come into contact with them. And it is best to leave the beach far before it gets dark. Skipping Manaus altogether might be the more sensible plan.

Though it is one of Kenya's most beautiful beaches, Lamu Island Beach is also home to Somalian pirates. In the past, the pirates have been known to capture visitors, with al-Shabab, a terrorist group, claiming responsibility. The beaches along Sydney's south side are some of its most famous and beautiful, but one in particular is best enjoyed with maximum caution.

Tamarama Beach is wedged between two sandstone headlands, and the high-intensity waves ensure that two rips are present on the beach. As a result, there are about rescues each year, the highest number in Sydney's southern beaches. The sand surface with a steep slope is the culprit here.

This facilitates strong undertows, which can be detrimental to swimmers. An undertow is the current of water below the surface that moves in a direction opposite to the surface. An undertow has the capacity to pull a swimmer towards the ocean with a strong force. Along with undertow, this beach also experiences very strong shore breaks. There was an incident in the past where a girl was swept off the beach and sucked into the ocean- while she was not swimming!

So,the warning applies not only for swimmers, but for onshore activities as well. If you ask a hiker for important advice before going on the Kalalau trail hike, avoiding swimming at Hanakapiai beach would be high on the list. The sandy shoreline of the beach can only be seen in summer as it gets washed away by powerful and dangerously high tides during winter.

The currents in this beach are so powerful that bodies of at least 15 drowning victims have yet to be recovered. Unlike most beaches on Kauai, Hanakapiai has no reef barrier to resist the powerful ocean currents which hit the shore with full force.

These conditions make Hanakapiai beach extremely dangerous. Although it is a public place, it is not endorsed or advertised by the county because of the dangers involved. Queens bath is one of the many natural pools located along a rocky coastline.