You might be already familiar with the famous beaches around the world. So, today, we are not going to talk about famous beaches; instead of it, we will talk about unique beaches that are worth traveling.
Everyone enjoys spending the day on a beautiful beach. But after spending time at a few beaches, they tend to all blend together. The sun is shining bright; the water is blue, the sand is yellow or white? Maybe a few rocks and pebbles here and there. Therefore, you want to visit a unique beach that stands out from the rest.
So, here we have gathered fifteen unique beaches that are worth traveling to. Read on!
1. Maho Beach, St. Martin
You’d better not be alarmed by low flying planes when you visit this unique beach. The beach itself is normal until a plane comes in for a landing. Feel the extreme turbulence as the monstrosity flies in mere meters from your head! It is quite a thrill to behold. The planes are flying into Juliana International Airport in Maho, just next door to the beach.
2. Jokulsarlon, Iceland
During the golden hour and when the moon shines at night on this unique beach, the glass-like chunks of ice that wash up contract dramatically with the black sand. It is a glacial lagoon located in southeast Iceland. The juxtaposition of black and white makes for some interesting photographic opportunities.
3. Beach of the Cathedrals, Ribadeo, Spain
The Spanish name for this beach is Praia de Augas Santas or Beach of the Holy Waters. Over the last several thousand years, pounding water from the Bay of Biscay gradually formed many buttresses, creating cathedral-like arches that are a photographer’s dream.
4. Pink Sand Beach, Harbour Island, Bahamas
Coral remnants called foraminifera, which are tiny, single-celled marine animals, wash up here. The strong currents of the East coast waters ground up the remnants and wash up on this idyllic beach. It gives the sand an incredible pink hue which made this beach unique.
5. KoeKohe, New Zealand
Large boulders of sedimentary rock that look like a dragon egg scene from Game of Thrones litters this fabulous unique beach. Some boulders are intact; others are in various stages of erosion by the constantly changing tides. At different times of day, the lighting around these rocks makes for some unique photo opportunities.
6. Giants Causeway Beach, Ireland
Coastal basalt lava rising about 50 million years ago then cooling quickly caused the lava to crack into large baroque-looking columns. The hexagonal rock formations look human-made but rest assured! Mother Nature played the only hand in this incredible beach.
7. Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, Hawaii
On the Big Island’s southern shore, the jet-black sand from ancient lava flows formed this unique beach. All of that black can be a bit foreboding until the sea turtles arrive!
Occasionally they will come to shore and bask on the beach under rocks. If you come across a turtle on the beach, however, do not touch! They are endangered species and interacting with them in any way is unlawful.
8. Cave Beach, Algarve, Portugal
This natural unique beach is located on the southern coast near the small fishing village of Benagil. The fine limestone stretching along this beach is easily eroded by the coastal waters, creating stunning sea caves. The caves themselves are accessible by boat or kayak.
9. Hot Water Beach, Coromandel, New Zealand
A beach and also a geothermal mineral spa? Yes, please! This probably the worlds most interesting beach. During low tide, thermal waters from below the beach seep up through the sand.
Beachgoers then dig a small round trench to create hot spring pools for tranquil bathing. Bring a bucket of cold water to mix in with the water, since sometimes the temperatures can get quite hot!
10. Hidden Beach in Marieta, Mexico
This is a unique beach that is partly human-made. The Mexican government blasted the canopy of a large cavern in 1990. What resulted is a beach hidden at the mouth of Banderas Bay.
It’s a wide, sandy cavern accessible only by swimming or kayaking to it. The crystal blue waters of the ocean rush in, creating a secluded and romantic getaway. When it’s not crowded with tourists, that is!
11. Madrigal Beach-Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
Costa Rica got so many beautiful and unique beaches and Madrigal beach is one of them. Why? Well, what other beaches in the world can boast mischievous monkeys, buzzing dragonflies and vibrantly-colored Macaws?
The jungle that lines this unique beach is home to the monkeys, who don’t bother you if you don’t bother them! Also, on this beach is a fresh-water lagoon. And since it’s on a peninsula, you can watch the sunrise and set!
12. Pig Beach, Big Major Cay, Bahamas
Yes, I said pigs! The uninhabited island has about 20 resident pigs, and they take full advantage of the beach! They lounge in the sun, swim in the surf and are tame. When you visit the beach some of them will expect a treat or two.
13. Boulders Beach, South Africa
You’d normally associate penguins with Antarctica, but here in sunny South Africa, they abound at this beach! Two thousand penguins, to be exact! You can walk among them but don’t try to touch or feed them; they’re still wild creatures! The eroding sandstone forms the large granite boulders strewn throughout.
14. Glass Beach, Fort Bragg, California, USA
Glass beach probably the most colorful beach in the world. Over fifty years ago, this then-normal-looking beach was a dumping ground for glass bottles and the like.
After years of erosion by coastal weather and waters, that glass was transformed by mother nature! Dumping was banned, and a beautiful glass-pebbled beach was the result. They look like millions of tiny glass balls. Don’t try to take any to home, because this practice is forbidden!
15. Bioluminescent Beach, Maldives
The stunning night display of bioluminescent plankton on the shores of this beach is truly spectacular. As the tiny creatures wash up on the shore, their natural pigment allows them to glitter and glow in the moonlight. Perfect for that romantic evening stroll.
The effect that mother nature has on these unique beaches is quite something. The gentle erosion of sea waters provides stunning results for all to enjoy. If you can manage to visit even one of these beaches this year, I highly recommend it!
