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1. The polluted waters of Staithes Beach in Yorkshire makes this destination "the worst in Europe," according to the campaign group Surfers Against Sewage.
2. The Amazon beaches in Brazil can have a traveler sharing the water with piranhas, anacondas and electric eels.
3. Playa Zipolite in Mexico is popular with nudists and backpackers, but is dangerous due to its big waves and dangerous rip currents.
4. The black sand beach at Kilauea, on Hawaii, sits next to one of the world's most active volcanoes. That, coupled with 102 shark attacks since 1828, makes this spot a little risky for beachgoers.
5. The Red Triangle in northern California includes coastlines from Big Sur to Bodega Bay and the location is on record for 11 percent of all recorded attacks on humans by great white sharks.
6. Bikini Atoll in the U.S. Marshall Islands is dangerous due to the sharks in the area, as well as the possible radiation that may still exist. The destination was the site of more than 20 nuclear weapons tests between 1946 and 1958. Eating local fruit is not advised.
7. Copacabana Beach in Brazil takes a spot on the danger list for its petty crime. Theft and robbery are commonplace here.
8. Chowpatty Beach in Mumbai is the site where the annual Hindu festival of Ganesha Chaturhj takes place, but it ranks on this list because its heavily polluted.
9. Volusia County, Florida has more shark attacks than in the whole of South Africa – 235 in total, since 1882, according to the International Shark Attack File (ISAF). And lightning strikes are prevalent here too. 71 deaths were caused by lightning in the state between 1997 and 2006.
10. Northern Territory and Queensland in Australia are known for its box jellyfish that come out in force between October and April. These creatures pack quite a sting.
11. Praia de Boa Viegem in Recife, Brazil has had at least 50 shark attacks since 1992 and even off the beach, the city has issues with violent crime.
12. Hanakapiai, Hawaii has waves and rip currents that have taken at least 83 people down with them, which is why it has a place on this list.
13. A few miles off the coast of Gansbaai, South Africa lies Shark Alley, a small channel of water between Dyer Island and Geyser Rock. So beware of the great white sharks.
14. Fraser Island in Australia has sharks and jellyfish as well as strong rip currents. Out of the water, you're likely to bump into some of the world's deadliest spiders, the odd saltwater crocodile, as well as dingoes, which are known to occasionally attack humans.
15. More travel photos from chicagotribune.com
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