Beaches are popular with vacationers because of their many overall benefits. While most tourists want a pristine beach with clear water and the whitest sand, the most daring of them want something unusual, even exotic. If you’re an adventurous traveler, or just looking for an unusual beach experience, look no further. We have compiled a list of 15 unique beaches that everyone should visit.
Whether you’re a sunseeker or a photo fanatic, there’s nothing quite like the joy of sand grains between your toes and the soothing embrace of the sea breeze. From secluded crescents of powdery sand to vast shores with crystal-clear waters, our planet is dotted with stunning beaches. Here is our list of the 15 best beaches in the world.
15. Navagio Beach on the Greek island of Zakynthos
Navagio Beach, also known as Shipwreck Beach, is one of the most famous and photographed beaches in Greece. It is known as Shipwreck Beach or simply Shipwreck due to the presence of the MV Panagiotis, a shipwreck suspected of transporting contraband such as tobacco, wine and prostitutes.
Encircled by towering cliffs and accessible only by boat, Navagio Beach, also known as Shipwreck Beach, captivates visitors with its dramatic scenery and crystal-clear waters. The rusting wreck of a smuggler’s ship adds an air of mystery to this secluded cove, making it a must-visit destination for adventurers and photographers alike.
14. Anse Source d’Argent, Seychelles
Renowned as one of the most photographed beaches in the world, Anse Source d’Argent does not disappoint. Across the powdery white sand, huge granite boulders are scattered against the clear, shallow water.
If the beautiful white sand beach against the backdrop of naturally sculpted granite boulders and emerald-colored waves isn’t enough to pique your interest, we’ve got better news: it’s one of the few beaches on the west side, so you’ll also enjoy amazing sunsets.
13. Rabida Red Sand Beach, Galapagos
Oxidation of iron-rich lava deposits turns the beach sand red, but whatever the reason, who cares when the beach is this beautiful?
We have another red beach on this list, but this one is different! Introducing, Rabida Island’s Red Beach—Pure Magic! The sand has a bright red color due to the iron-rich volcanic ash nearby. It is the island’s only port, a pristine beauty and wild habitat with sea lions and various bird species. Off the beach, a brackish lagoon is host to flamingos and other exotic birds. Dive into the turquoise waters of the eastern tip for a mesmerizing underwater world—rays, sea turtles, and maybe a cool white tip shark. Rabida is off the beaten path but easily accessible through guided tours.
12. Hot Water Beach, New Zealand
Visitors to this beach can be seen digging holes in the sand to soak, and the water flowing over the sand is warm and refreshing.
Hot Water Beach is an Aotearoa New Zealand must do and one of its most interesting spots. From the sound of crashing waves to the surprising warmth of warm sand beneath your bare feet at low tide, Hot Water Beach presents a landscape and atmosphere like no other.
Popular for patches of thermal water bubbling beneath the beach’s surface at low tide, Hot Water Beach here on The Coromandel has achieved cult-like status as a world wonder. Visitors to the usually deserted hot water beach arrive two hours before low tide. The lure of hot water brings people in buses, campervans, tour groups and rental vehicles. They pull into the recently extended carpark with a mixture of excitement, fascination and anticipation on their faces.
11. Bowling Ball Beach, California, USA
Bowling Ball Beach is part of Schooner Gulch State Beach, in Mendocino County, California, United States. It is named for the rounded sandstones found there at low tide.
The beaches of California’s Mendocino Coast are dotted with unusual rock formations, and the best time to visit these beaches is at low tide, when the water recedes to reveal these incredible formations.
10. Cathedral Beach, Ribadeo, Spain
Millions of years of constant pounding of water have developed these magnificent cathedral-like arches. It has been declared a Natural Monument by the Regional Ministry for the Environment of the Junta de Galicia.
09. Benagil sea caves in Portugal
The coast of the Algarve is made of limestone, which is easily eroded by the constant flow of water and creates fascinating sea caves like this one. Benagil Cave is one of the most interesting looking sea caves. There is nothing man-made about the amazing formation of this sea cave, it is all the handiwork of Mother Nature.
08. Pfeiffer Purple Sand Beach, California, USA
Pfeiffer Beach is located in the Big Sur region of California. It is the most popular beach on the Central Coast and is known for Keyhole Rock, a popular photography subject. In limited numbers each year in December and January, photographers crowd the beach to capture pictures of the sun peeking through the arch. Due to the steep terrain prevalent along the Big Sur coast, it is one of the few inland ocean entry points. The beach’s beautiful purple sand (in places) is formed when manganese garnet deposits wash into the ocean from nearby hills.
07. Shell Beach in Shark Bay, Australia
Due to the high salinity of the water, there are no natural predators for cockles in the area, allowing their population to grow unchecked. Their shells make this beach very unique.
Made up of billions of tiny shells, the aptly named Shell Beach in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area is popular for swimming, beach combing and sunbathing. Shell Beach is one of only a handful of places on Earth where the beach sand is changed in such a dramatic and picturesque way.
The beach stretches for more than 100 kilometers and has seven to ten meter deep shells.
A walk on Shell Beach is like no other. Incredibly, the beach is made up of only one type of animal shell, making it truly unique.
In years past, the shells were packed hard, cut into blocks and used to construct a number of historic buildings in the nearby town of Denham.
Due to the high salinity of the water, there are no natural predators for cockles in the area, allowing their population to grow unchecked. Their shells make this beach very unique.
06. Giant’s Causeway Beach, Ireland
The Giant’s Causeway lies at the foot of basalt cliffs on the edge of the Antrim Plateau in Northern Ireland. It is made up of about 40,000 massive black basalt pillars that stick out of the sea. The dramatic sight has inspired legends of giants walking across the sea to Scotland. These striking columns were formed 50 million years ago when rising basalt lava began to collapse as it cooled and hardened.
05. Pink Sand Beach in the Bahamas
Pink sand beaches are one of the natural wonders that can be found in the Bahamas. These unique beaches are famous for their stunning pink colored sand, which is created by the presence of tiny red coral particles mixed with white sand.
Nestled amidst the azure waters of the Atlantic Ocean, the Bahamas boasts some of the most famous beaches in the world, including its crown jewel – the beautiful Pink Sands Beach. This unique beach, often referred to as “pink-sand beach,” owes its distinctive pink color to microscopic organisms found in the coral reefs that surround the small islands of the Bahamas. Join us as we explore the breathtaking landscapes, vibrant marine life and stunning wonder of Pink Sands Beach Bahamas, an iconic and alluring destination beckoning tourists from around the world.
04. Marieta, Mexico’s hidden beach
Even if you don’t recognize the name, you’ve probably seen a photo of this stunning, must-see place. Playa del Amor, “Lover’s Beach” commonly called Hidden Beach, is a secluded sandy cove on one of the islands that make up Mariettas Island National Park, located at the north end of Bahía de Banderas, one hour northwest of Puerto Vallarta. . And Punta Mita, just fifteen minutes from Nayarit.
This unique sight is part of the state of Nayarit, in a coastal strip called Riviera Nayarit. The archipelago itself is a natural wonder formed by volcanic activity. Hidden Beach is home to many different types of coral and reef fish, sea turtles, dolphins, manta rays and eels.
In winter, humpback whales can be seen roaming near the shores of Hidden Beach. But the Hidden Beach of the Marietta Islands is a feature that inspires thousands of tourists from around the world to trek.
03. Kourou, French Guiana, green sand
Located in Kourou on the North Coast of French Guiana, this landscape is not what it seems. When lava comes into contact with the sea and begins to cool rapidly, it creates a mineral called olivine, which is what gives this emerald beach its unique hue.
With winter knocking on our doors, it’s time to trade snowflakes for sunshine. In this blog, we’re diving into the magic of winter sun escapes at some of the world’s most unique beaches. Think of red, pink, and even green sand beneath your toes as you soak up the warmth. We’re here to show you these extraordinary sandy spots that’ll make your winter a beachy affair. So, grab your shades and join us on a journey to discover beaches like you’ve never seen before. Let’s turn the winter blues into a colorful beach-hued adventure!
02. Glass Beach, California, United States
Glass Beach is a popular attraction in Fort Bragg, California, where the beach is covered in small pieces of smoothed glass. The glass comes from the fact that the area was a dumpsite for trash in the early to mid 1900s, and over the years, the sea flattened and broke the glass that is there today. The area is constantly changing and people are taking advantage of it every day, so it’s hard to say what it will look like when you go, but this is what it looked like when we last visited in late 2018. Here is all the information.
In the early 20th century, residents of Fort Bragg dumped their household waste on the cliffs owned by the Union Lumber Company, which is now Glass Beach, discarding glass, appliances and even vehicles. It is referred to as “The Dumps” by the residents.
01. Vaadhoo Phosphorescent Beach, Maldives
Vaadhoo Island located in the Maldives is a picturesque and popular destination, known for its mesmerizing natural phenomenon called the Sea of Stars. This fascinating phenomenon is caused by the unique combination of bioluminescent phytoplankton that inhabit the waters surrounding the island.
Vaadhoo Island in Raa Atoll may be small in size, but it’s big when it comes to memorable vacations. Here’s how. This beach looks like it’s from another universe: This Maldivian beach has a starry appearance thanks to bioluminescent phytoplankton. These organisms are too small to see individually but when they come together they create a spectacular light show.