14 Scariest Bodies Of Water From Around The World

There's a lot of bad blood around Lake Lanier, which lies northeast of Atlanta in Georgia. The massive, man-made lake was created in the 1950s after the government forced local families to sell off their land, some of which had been in the family for generations. 

Prior to the inaugural filling, the government removed anything that could potentially float up and become obstacles for boats in the future. However, it's said that they didn't bother to move unmarked gravestones (or the bodies that accompanied them). Some claim these spirits haunt the lake to this day. 

And then there are the more recent people who have perished in the lake – over 200 people in the last 20 years. 

It's believed that one of these victims is now the “Lady of the Lake,” a ghostly figure who is said to wander around a nearby bridge in a blue dress. 

In any sport or hobby, the best of the best want to push their limit. And for divers, one of the places to test themselves is the Blue Hole in the Red Sea in Egypt. 

There are a few things that make the Blue Hole unique. One is how the 460-foot-hole is flanked by shallow water all around. Another is the 85-foot-long passageway that lives 180 feet below the water's surface. It goes without saying, but this tunnel is quite dangerous. There can be a strong current pulling on the diver, as well as poor visibility. When divers go more than a few hundred feet deep, they can experience nitrogen narcosis, which can affect their cognitive functions. 

The death toll of divers in the Blue Hole varies widely, as there is no “sign-up sheet” for exploring the hole. It's believed that the death toll ranges between 40 and 130 for the past 15 years. One of the most notorious deaths was that of Yuri Lipski, a Russian diver who explored the hole in 2000. Tragically, it was discovered that the camera Lipski had been wearing had recorded his death, which was likely due to nitrogen narcosis. 

Even without any supernatural elements going on, swamps are already pretty creepy. The water can appear murky, while moss hangs low from the thick trees that cover the area. Not to mention the alligators and snakes that could be lurking mere feet away from you. Now pair all this with the ghost of a voodoo priestess, and you have the beginnings of a horror story. 

This is the folklore for Manchac Swamp, just northwest of New Orleans, LA. It's said that back in the early 1900s, a priestess named Julia Brown lived along the swamp and acted as a healer for her local community. However, she may have felt taken advantage of and put a curse on the town. It has been documented that there was a Julia Brown who was known for singing a song that said, "She would die and everything would die with her.”

Then, in 1915, a catastrophic Category 4 hurricane rolled through, decimating the town and nearly everyone in it. It's unclear if Brown was dead prior to the storm or because of it – and it's said she may have brought on its wrath. 

With a name as harrowing as “The Devil's Pool,” you might think that the body of water would be dark or ominous looking. However, the opposite couldn't be more true. 

The Devil's Pool sits in Queensland, Australia, and is the picture-perfect example of an oasis. The water is crystal clear and the surrounding foliage is stunning. However, that's why officials warn people to stay out of the pool – it's much more dangerous than it seems. The rocks can become very slippery and the water levels can rise rapidly with little warning. 

The Devil's Pool has claimed 17 lives since 1959, with many of these being young male tourists. And the reason why locals believe so many young men specifically have been claimed is because of a young woman named Oolana. Oolana was married to an elder from her tribe, but soon fell in love with someone closer to her age in a visiting tribe. The two ran off together and were caught at the Devil's Pool. Oolana jumped into the water, calling for her love to follow, only to be washed downstream to her death. 

The Devil's Sea, the Dragon's Triangle… neither name sounds like a great place for a pleasure cruise. Yet, this section of the Pacific Ocean, south of Tokyo, east of the Philippines, and west of Guam, is fairly popular to pass through. But that doesn't stop people from being extra cautious as they sail through these waters. 

So why the scary name and overall anxiety around the area? Because the Devil's Sea is one of 12 “Vile Vortices” on Earth – places with high electromagnetic aberrations. (Another notable Vile Vortice? The Bermuda Triangle.)

Ancient myth said that a hungry dragon resided under the sea and would claim ships to satisfy its appetite. The legend grew after the Mongols attempted to invade Japan twice,  in 1274 and 1281 AD, only to have nearly their entire fleet sink in the Devil's Sea in typhoons (with upwards of potentially 40,000 soldiers perishing). For this reason, some Japanese changed their tune and began to thank the Devil's Sea for saving them. 

Every year, the Lower Falls in Yellowstone National Park attracts thousands of visitors wanting to behold the largest waterfall in the park. Looking at the 300-foot-tall waterfall, it's clear to see how dangerous it would be if someone happened to fall off its edge.

Sometimes, people say they can hear the beating of drums, along with the thrumming of the water hitting the rocks. Others say they can hear voices chanting – with some claiming it to be the notes of a death song. 

The legend of hearing a death chant stems from a story about a group of Native Americans who stole from a group of European militiamen. Once the Europeans caught up to the Native Americans, they saw them attempting to cross the river above the falls on a poorly made raft – which was quickly getting swept downriver. It's said that the Europeans watched as the crew of men and women soon plunged over the falls to their death, as the men sang a death song solemnly.