Are you an adventurous traveler who loves exploring unknown lands? If that is the case for you, check out The Most Dangerous Travel Destinations In The World for some thrilling travel.
From tropical beaches to ancient ruins, these dangerous destinations boast incredible beauty and natural wonders that you simply won't find elsewhere. However, they also pose several dangers, including rattlesnakes and extreme temperatures.
1. Bikini Atoll
Seventy years ago this month, a US Army-Navy task force conducted two of the world's first peacetime atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands - tests known as Able and Baker. Their explosions sank ships in the lagoon as radioactive residue spread across the Pacific. Today, these islands still bear witness to this horrific legacy.
In late 1944, US Navy forces launched Operation Crossroads against Bikini Atoll. All 167 residents of this atoll were relocated, first to Rongerik Atoll (where many faced near starvation) and then Kwajalein Island where they lived in tents near an airstrip.
The military found this atoll ideal for testing nuclear weapons, as they had complete control and far fewer shipping lanes to worry about than most atolls, yet close enough for bombers to launch from. Over 23 nuclear tests, US forces blew up islands and sunk ships in its vast lagoon with explosive forces up to 7,000 times greater than what had been used against Hiroshima.
These explosions left behind craters more than one mile wide, destroyed coral reefs and introduced dangerous levels of radioactivity into the environment, as well as exposed islanders to harmful amounts of radiation which have continued to have lasting health impacts to this day.
Refugees were eventually allowed back into Bikini in 1970, though many are still suffering from illnesses caused by radiation exposure. Contaminated soil, seawater and trees contain dangerous levels of strontium-90 which accumulates over time in their bodies causing thyroid disease and cancers such as lymphomas.
Nuclear tests tainted beaches and air with radioactive particles, leaving toxic waste behind in the form of blackened coral and washed-away sand that has since washed back out to sea. Radioactivity spread across island chains throughout their chains polluting waters while destabilizing marine life ecosystems, and also endangering swimmers, fishers, and eaters who use or frequent those waters for recreation or sustenance - though those swimming in affected waters are protected by no-swim zones that limit radiation risks.
2. Snake Island
Ilha da Queimada Grande (Snake Island) may look like an idyllic tropical retreat with lush forests and clear blue waters, yet this tiny Brazilian island is infested with deadly snakes - specifically thousands of golden lancehead pit vipers that inhabit it and pose serious threats. As such, nobody lives there intentionally--nor does anyone visit.
Snakes first got trapped on the island at the end of the last ice age when rising sea levels severed its connection to mainland Brazil, when rising sea levels cut it off completely. Bothrops insularis vipers, known for feeding almost exclusively on birds and being highly poisonous themselves, soon flourished on this isolated enclave and have since protected it using their venom to kill predators such as mongooses or birds of prey that would otherwise prey upon them - such as mongooses or birds of prey that would otherwise come predators such as mongooses or birds of prey.
Snake Island is home to so many vipers that it is physically dangerous for visitors to explore it alone, prompting Brazil's government to require anyone visiting be accompanied by a medical professional just in case any bites should occur during their visit.
Golden lancehead pit viper populations on the island have suffered significantly due to natural predators and wildlife smugglers who trap and sell them on the black market, thus contributing significantly to their population decline over time.
Golden lancehead snake venom is four times stronger than that found on mainland snakes, capable of melting human flesh. Because of this risk, visitors must bring with them a doctor.
Though Snake Island may pose grave dangers, many remain drawn there curious about its mysteries. Unfortunately, many visitors end up encountering unpleasant or even tragic experiences on this mysterious land; many even end up becoming victims of snake attacks or commit suicides; these deaths serve as tragic reminders that Snake Island should be avoided at all costs.
3. North Sentinel Island
One of the world's most dangerous travel destinations is North Sentinel Island in India's remote archipelago of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Here lies an uncontacted tribe known as Sentinelese who are highly hostile toward outsiders, killing any who come too close - even attacking wooden boats! Infamously hostile towards outsiders are known as Sentinelese who often kill visitors that venture too near. As a result, India has placed restrictions within three miles from any Sentinelese island which prohibits anyone coming closer if necessary - as has even killed people that venture too close.
Anthropologists suspect the Sentinelese islanders may be related to tribes from Andamanese and Papuan waters, although their exact relationship remains unknown. Their culture remains obscure but many suspect they practice an uncommon form of Hinduism which distinguishes it from Andaman tribes. Some have attempted to contact the Sentinelese anyway despite its danger, such as an exiled Belgian king and National Geographic team; both encounters ended badly, with explorers being attacked with arrows while one filmmaker was attacked with an arrow as well.
North Sentinel Island, situated about 8 kilometres long and 7 kilometres wide, has long been forbidden to visitors by Indian law; yet that hasn't stopped adventurous tourists and Christian missionaries from hiring fishermen illegally to transport them there. John Allen Chau, 27, an adventure blogger hired local fishermen illegally transport him there and sang hymns at its shore before tribe members identified him as an intruder and killed and buried him there.
The government has suspended the search for Chau's body due to risk to both search personnel and Sentinelese natives. Sentinelese people have historically been hostile towards visitors since at least 60,000 years ago; survival International fears they will continue their aggressive nature against visitors in future. Without additional protection measures from outside influences - like illegal fisherman or daredevils searching for shipwrecks nearer their island home - and tourists hoping to visit forbidden territory, Survival International believes they could become extinct altogether.
4. Death Valley
Death Valley is well known as one of the hottest and driest places in North America, yet not without dangers. Yet visitors from around the globe travel here every year in search of adventure among its lunar-esque landscapes and sudden temperature shifts. Yet despite all the warnings of peril that lurk at every bend, thousands still visit this unique destination each year.
Death Valley offers visitors many activities to engage in, with its most popular being exploring its vast desert ecosystems - from salt flats and canyons to sand dunes where travelers can participate in activities such as sand-boarding and off-road driving.
Death Valley's primary cause of deaths is car accidents, so it's vital that drivers always follow speed limits. You should shift down into lower gear on steep downhill roads and always wear your seat belt when necessary. Also remember to carry an emergency first-aid kit as well as additional water.
Due to its arid environment, this park is also home to various dangerous animals like rattlesnakes and scorpions - it's best to check before placing hands or feet anywhere, as they could be hiding in crevices or beneath rocks. Furthermore, keep a safe distance from wildlife while not feeding it directly.
Death Valley's climate can be unpredictable throughout the year. To best experience its beauty, visitors should visit during spring, summer or fall when temperatures are more bearable; those interested in experiencing its full glory should consider visiting in winter; however this requires additional layers and cold-weather clothing.
Death Valley's main entrance lies at Furnace Creek, where daily tour buses stop for visits by visitors claiming they have visited "the hottest and driest place on earth". Tourists also usually stop here on day visits before continuing onto Scotty's Castle Racetrack or Ubehebe Crater for sightseeing opportunities.