6Guanabara Bay Beaches, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Why It’s the Worst: Severely polluted with untreated sewage.
Guanabara Bay is a beautiful stretch of beaches with scenic views, but the water quality is shockingly poor due to pollution.

This bay in Rio de Janeiro is known for untreated sewage, floating debris, and oil slicks contaminating the water. Despite attempts to clean the area, the water pollution problem persists, especially in the beaches along the bay. Although it might look appealing from afar, swimming or even walking along these beaches can be a serious health risk due to the pollution.

What to Expect: Murky waters, waste on the shore, and a smell that doesn’t resemble the typical fresh sea breeze.