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Top 10 Most Dangerous Islands in the World

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There’s nothing quite like an exotic island getaway with miles of white sandy beaches and luxurious resorts. But not all islands are paradise. Some are home to the world’s most vicious creatures. To steer clear of danger, here’s a list of the top 10 most dangerous islands you should avoid when planning your next trip.

Ilha da Queimada Grande, Brazil

Prefeitura Municipal de Itanhaém/Wikimedia Commons

There’s a reason this is called the snake island. Ilha da Queimada Grande, located just off the coast of Brazil, features the world’s highest concentration of lancehead vipers. These snakes are five times more venomous than those found on the mainland. Only navy officials and researchers are allowed to visit Queimada.

Ramree Island, Myanmar

Arezarni/Wikipedia

When an island holds the Guinness record for most crocodile fatalities, you know it’s best to avoid it. Ramree Island is infamous for its population of gigantic saltwater crocodiles, which can grow up to 23 feet long. It is said that during WWII, these creatures claimed the lives of hundreds of Japanese soldiers.

Te Puia o Whakaari, New Zealand

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Right on the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, is Whakaari, a stratovolcano rising a thousand feet out of water. Before December 9, 2019, tourists could explore the spectacle. But on that day, Whakaari erupted, taking the lives of 22 tourists and injuring 25. Despite your curiosity, you’d better keep this island off your bucket list.

Komodo, Island, Indonesia

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Unless you’re a fan of dog-sized lizards, you shouldn’t even dream of stepping on Komodo Island. What should have been an Indonesian getaway is roaming with 10-foot-long monitor lizards with fangs and forked tongues. While Komodo dragons can be dangerous, they are not venomous in the traditional sense; their bites can lead to severe infections.

Miyake-jima Island, Japan

NASA Earth Observatory, Wikimedia Commons

It’s impossible to visit Miyake-jima Island in Japan without wearing a gas mask. This is because of the active Oyama volcano that first erupted in 2000. That incident led to the passing of six people and the mass evacuation of the area. If a Japanese getaway is what you seek, try a safer destination like white sand Okinawa.

Svalbard, Norway

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Though Svalbard is great for spotting the Northern lights, it’s also one of the coldest. Located near the North Pole, Svalbard’s chill plummets as low as -17 degrees Celsius or lower, freezing the average person in just a few hours. But the weather is the least of the danger since there are 3,000 polar bears patrolling the expanse.

Gruinard Island, Scotland

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In 1942, during WWII, the United Kingdom requisitioned Gruinard Island for biological warfare testing. Eighty sheep were trapped on the island and wiped out during one of these tests on the island. The site was declared safe in 1990, but nearby locals still fear threading its paths.

Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands

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The Bikini Atoll are 23 coral islands, the United States ceased nuclear experiments from 1947 to 1958. 20 operations were conducted here, leaving the islands uninhabitable. In spite of its gloomy origin, it inspired the quirky yet beloved world of Bikini Bottom in Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob Squarepants.

Cocos Island, Costa Rica

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Costa Rica is home to countless paradise islands, but Cocos is not one of them. Though guided tours are allowed, tourists are not permitted to camp due to the many wild creatures inhabiting the perimeter. Tiger sharks are the most dangerous, as one claimed the life of a 49-year-old woman named Rohina Bhandari in 2018.

Fraser Island, Australia

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Imagine visiting an island spanning 155 miles of sand beaches. You could spend hours hiking, sunbathing, or building sand castles with loved ones. Fraser, now known as K’gari, is the largest sand island ever but also one of the most dangerous. Creatures like dingoes, for instance, roam about freely and have reportedly ambushed visitors. 

Written by Jace Lamonica

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