An Instagram model just broke the internet after dropping pics of herself swimming inside a so-called “forbidden cave.” The photos went crazy viral, but not everyone was impressed. Critics jumped in fast, saying this is exactly how “influencers are gonna go extinct.”
Some even warned about travel safety, illegal tourism spots, and how risky content like this can backfire big time. Still, the wild cave shots are pulling insane engagement, with people debating everything from adventure travel risks to influencer culture gone too far.
Marina Rivera Saldana, better known as Marina Rivers, just stirred up major controversy online after taking a dip in a so-called “forbidden” cave in the Canary Islands. The Spanish influencer and Instagram model, who’s built a massive following on Instagram and TikTok, shared dreamy shots of herself in the cave but not everyone was impressed.
Even though Marina is famous for posting stunning travel pics from exotic places, these particular photos sparked outrage. Critics slammed her for swimming in the cave, calling it irresponsible and dangerous. The images show her posing in front of crystal-clear blue water inside the cavern, and in some shots, she’s swimming like a real-life mermaid. She even captioned one pic, “I’m a little mermaid from Makoo.”
The post blew up fast, with heated debates about travel safety, forbidden tourist spots, influencer culture, and viral content marketing. While fans praised the magical shots, others warned that chasing risky content for Instagram growth and TikTok fame could backfire in a big way.
Marina Saldana, aka Marina Rivers, wasn’t just swimming in any cave she was in the sapphire-blue waters of El Tancón cave in the Canary Islands. Sounds dreamy, right? But here’s the catch… this spot is way more dangerous than it looks.
According to Tenerife Weekly, El Tancón is home to a deadly natural formation known as a Bufadero (or “blow-hole”). The currents inside this hidden lagoon are totally unpredictable, and even professional rescue teams struggle to save anyone caught in it. That’s why the cave is actually off-limits to tourists.
Sadly, the danger isn’t just hype. At least six people have died there as of 2021. Victims include Jasmine Ben Ali, a 33-year-old from Switzerland, and Giovanni Rodríguez, 27, from Italy, who both drowned inside the cave. And back in 2017, a 30-year-old British tourist tragically lost his life after being swept out to sea just walking past El Tancón.
So while the cave’s crystal-blue waters might look like the perfect Instagram backdrop, it’s literally one of the most hazardous tourist attractions in Spain. This mix of travel danger, influencer culture, and viral Instagram content is exactly why Marina’s post sparked such a heated debate online.
The backlash was brutal. Under Marina Rivers’ cave photos, the comments section blew up with angry reactions.
One viewer snapped, “I think it’s disrespectful that you’re bathing in a place that is FORBIDDEN.”
Another user didn’t hold back either, warning, “That place is a death trap for anyone who dares to swim there. A dangerous spot like that shouldn’t even be advertised.”
And one furious critic really laid it out: “It seems like a total lack of respect. You’re swimming in a place that is PROHIBITED, fenced off, and covered with warning signs. You go in anyway just for the photos, and then you publish it on Instagram? People have literally died there. It’s not a place for swimming.”
The harsh comments highlight why Marina’s post has sparked such a storm. It’s not just about a pretty picture anymore it’s about tourist safety, influencer responsibility, and the risks of chasing viral Instagram content in dangerous spots.
Locals weren’t shy about calling Marina Rivers out either. One native blasted her post, saying: “Bathing is forbidden there. We are sick of tourists that don’t respect our land.”
And the warnings aren’t just talk. A survivor of El Tancón cave once shared their terrifying experience: “I clung to the rocks with my nails.” That’s how brutal the currents inside that cave can get.
On social media, people kept piling on. One user even shared a photo of the official warning sign, reminding everyone that the cave is clearly marked as dangerous. Another critic threw shade with a savage line: “Influencers will end up going extinct.”
The backlash was so intense that Marina’s post even got slapped with a Community Notes advisory, warning viewers that her photos could inspire copycats to risk their lives at a location where multiple people have already drowned.
And Marina isn’t the only influencer catching heat lately. Just recently, a TikToker went viral for all the wrong reasons after telling followers to just “book a freakin’ flight” to Thailand, sparking outrage over tone-deaf travel advice, privilege in tourism, and social media elitism.
This whole situation has now become a bigger conversation about influencer culture, dangerous travel destinations, Instagram controversies, and the dark side of viral content marketing.
In a now-viral clip that racked up more than 5 million views, influencer Kat Crittenden got roasted online for being completely out of touch. In the video, she casually told her followers to just hop on a plane and head to Thailand, calling it an easy escape to paradise. “What are y’all still doing in America?” she said, with a jaw-dropping ocean backdrop behind her, islands poking out of the sea. “Like, this could be 5:30 on a Thursday night for you if you just book a freakin’ flight.”
Yeah… not everyone was buying it. Viewers instantly clapped back, calling her tone-deaf and privileged. Some pointed out they don’t have rich parents funding luxury travel, while others joked she should go ahead and buy their tickets if it’s so simple.
This whole drama highlights the growing divide between influencers chasing viral content and luxury travel lifestyles, and regular people dealing with everyday realities. To many, it feels like influencers will say or do almost anything for views, likes, and brand deals—even if it makes them look completely disconnected from their audience.
The comments section was filled with frustration, with some calling today’s influencer culture the peak of social media narcissism, proof that the race for internet fame is getting out of control.
Hello, We’re content writer who is fascinated by content fashion, celebrity and lifestyle. We helps clients bring the right content to the right people.
Leave a Reply