7. Mumbai, India
Home to over 12 million people, Mumbai, like most major Indian cities, has an enormous problem with pollution. Nonetheless, that doesn’t stop thousands of locals immersing themselves in the waters of the city’s Chowpatty Beach. Although we often advise travelers to to live like a local, here’s one case where we don’t recommend you follow their lead. You probably won’t even be tempted to dip a toe in here let alone submerse yourself for a swim, unless you have an extremely strong stomach. Aside from the tides of sewage that disgorge into the nearby sea, the beach is also littered with mounds of detritus. Consider this more of a cesspool than a swimming pool.
8. Fraser Island, Australia
Fraser Island in Australia might look like the proverbial sunny paradise with its white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, but much of the coastline is too dangerous for swimming. Depending on the time of year, the seas are home to many dangerous jellyfish, and there is also the constant threat of shark attacks. Even crocodiles have been spotted there. Stick to the interior lakes if you want to enjoy a swim – but watch out for dingoes and deadly spiders!
9. North Sentinel Island, India
One of the Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal, North Sentinel Island is nominally part of India. However, it is also home to the world’s most secluded indigenous population to such an extent that almost nothing is even known about their culture or language. The Sentinelese are believed to number anywhere between 50 and 400, but they do not take kindly to outsiders. It is certainly not a place where you want to end up getting stranded as you won’t get a warm welcome by the combative residents.
