Imagine coming to a beach, and there’s... not just sand and sea! On some beaches, the sand can be glass-like, and on others, the sea retreats so far that it becomes possible to walk on the seabed. There are beaches where you can meet pigs swimming in the water, and some places look like you’ve stepped into a fairy tale. Sounds like fantasy? But these places actually exist, and they’ll definitely surprise you!

Navagio Beach, Zakynthos, Greece

Just take one look — wow! This beach looks like it was made for a movie about paradise on Earth: white sand, turquoise water, cliffs all around — and the only way to get there is by boat. But its main feature is the rusted wreck of the Panagiotis ship, washed ashore by a storm in the 1980s. According to legend, it was a smuggler ship carrying cigarettes and alcohol. The beach is now called “Smugglers’ Cove” because of the nearly artwork of the wreck.

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But if you do make it to this unreal place, be cautious — during heavy rains or earthquakes (yes, they happen here), rocks can fall from the cliffs. The beach has even been closed for months at a time — all for safety.

Glass Beach, California, USA

It looks like someone poured tons of colorful glass along the shore! And… that’s actually kind of true. This place used to be an illegal dumping ground where people threw out bottles and household trash for decades. Over time, the ocean polished everything smooth, and now the entire coastline is covered with glittering, multicolored glass pebbles.

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Ironically, this is one of the rare cases where environmental damage turned into a tourist attraction. But don’t even think about taking a souvenir — the glass is protected, and removing it is strictly forbidden.

Punaluʻu Beach, Hawaii

No, this is not Photoshop — this beach is actually black, like volcanic lava. Because that’s exactly what it is! The sand is made from crushed volcanic rock and looks like something straight out of a sci-fi movie. You might also spot giant sea turtles crawling ashore to soak up some sun.

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But be warned… if anyone gets the idea to take a bit of sand home, they could fall victim to the “curse of Pele.” Locals believe that the volcano goddess Pele punishes those who steal her stones. Every year, hundreds of “souvenirs” are mailed back to the island by tourists trying to lift their bad luck.

Hwangsa Beach, South Korea

Each year this beach only appears for a few hours. It’s not a beach in the usual sense but a natural “road” that connects the mainland with a small island during low tide. It’s almost like a biblical scene — the water pulls back, and a strip of land appears. No wonder tourists call it the “Korean Moses Miracle.”

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But be extremely careful — if you miscalculate the timing, you’ll be stuck on the island until the next low tide. So yes, it’s romantic… with a ticking clock.

Pebbly Beach, Australia

At first glance, it looks like a cute little Australian beach. But get closer, and you’ll quickly understand why it’s nicknamed “Pepper Beach”: the wind kicks up the sand so fiercely that it stings like you’re being hit with tiny pellets.

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Still, people come for the views of the dunes and the amazing nearby nature — there’s a protected area full of rare birds and kangaroos just a stone’s throw away. Despite not being the most relaxing spot to lie down, filmmakers love it — and judging by the photos, it’s easy to see why!

Bianca Beach, Sardinia, Italy

If you’ve ever dreamed of standing on a beach where the sand is whiter than toothpaste in a commercial — this is the place. Bianca is officially one of the whitest beaches in Europe. The sand here is made from finely crushed shells and coral, worn down over centuries.

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And just so you know — taking sand from this beach can land you a hefty fine. Tourists constantly try to smuggle some home and end up getting “love letters” from the authorities, sometimes even after returning to their home countries. Italy takes its natural beauty very seriously.

Vaadhoo Beach, Maldives

This beach isn’t just beautiful — it literally glows in the dark. That’s thanks to a phenomenon called “bioluminescence.” The water is full of microscopic organisms — phytoplankton — that light up when the water around them moves. 

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So each step you take along the shore at night leaves a glowing trail behind you, like you’re some kind of wizard at a beach party. But it’s not all magical — the glow is actually a stress response. Scientists believe the plankton light up to scare off predators.

El Nido Beach, Philippines

You initially only see striking cliffs and blue ocean but then you realize that you are standing in the very location where The Beach and The Revenant were filmed. This isn’t a movie set — it’s real life. El Nido isn’t just one beach but a group of wild coves you can only reach by boat.

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There’s almost no civilization here but you’ll find waterfalls, caves, and massive sea turtles swimming nearby. It’s stunning beyond belief.

Spiaggia di Rosa, Sardinia

Yes, yes, Sardinia is full of breathtaking beaches! But this one deserves a special mention — because it's pink. Naturally. This is not Photoshop and not some exotic chemical reaction but the result of marine microorganisms, which, after decomposition, tint the sand in a pink hue. 

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And it looks... otherworldly. As if you're on Mars, only instead of a desert — there’s the sea. By the way, the beach has been closed to visitors since the 1990s. All because tourists were massively taking the sand as a souvenir, and it began to disappear. Now, it can only be seen from a tour boat — admired but not touched.

Chesterman Beach, Vancouver Island, Canada

If you’re craving true wild romance, Chesterman Beach is the place. This beach of perfectly smooth sand, scattered with huge driftwood logs, is surrounded by wolf-inhabited forests. 

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When the tide recedes, it reveals a wide, walkable stretch loved by surfers and those who enjoy long, wind-blown strolls. And if storm clouds gather, take shelter at the atmospheric Wickaninnish Inn — its windows are perfect for watching sea otters bobbing in the waves.

Whitehaven Beach, Australia

This beach is world-famous for having sand that is almost pure quartz. It doesn’t heat up even under the scorching sun and squeaks under your feet like fresh snow. From space, the shoreline looks like a marble pattern: due to tides and currents, the water and sand create swirls that constantly shift.

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The sand is so white and reflective that it's visible even from the International Space Station! And NASA once tested its sensors here — that’s how uniquely the surface behaves.

Anse Source d’Argent, Seychelles

This is probably one of the most photographed beaches on the planet. Smooth, almost polished rocks, palm trees, pinkish sand, and crystal-clear water. All in one shot. Tourist brochures love it so much, it seems like postcards are born here. And it's also one of the rare beaches where you can swim among turtles and still feel like you're in the jungle.

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Despite its global fame, the beach isn’t very big. And if you don’t arrive early — chances are you’ll be sharing your photo shoot with a hundred other "paradise" seekers.

Playa de Gulpiyuri, Spain

This beach challenges everything you thought you knew about beaches. Imagine this: you're walking across a field, far from the sea… and suddenly you see a tiny cove with sand, tides, and waves. How? It’s all thanks to a unique natural phenomenon. 

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The sea connects to this spot through underground channels in the rocks, and the water flows directly into this miniature bay, 100 meters inland. The beach is recognized as a natural monument, and while you can’t exactly swim here (the water is cold, and the waves are small), the view itself is absolutely mesmerizing — like stumbling into a portal to another world.

Playa Roja, Peru

You won’t see the usual yellow or white sand here. This beach is blood-red — and no, it’s not Photoshop. The color comes from granite rock particles that have eroded into dust and washed down into the bay from the surrounding cliffs. The contrast between the crimson shore and the blue ocean is so sharp, it feels like you're on another planet.

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Interestingly, Playa Roja is located in a protected reserve and rarely gets crowds — despite being one of the most photogenic corners of South America's coastline.

Playa del Amor, Mexico

And here you have a beach... hidden inside a crater! Playa del Amor is located on the Marieta Islands, and you can only access it by swimming through an underwater tunnel. It’s believed the beach was formed as a result of military testing — there were underground explosions here in the past, and one of them created this natural sinkhole with an opening to the ocean. 

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Today, it’s a protected site but small tourist groups are still allowed. The aerial view looks straight out of a sci-fi film: in the middle of a rocky crater — a perfect beach with golden sand and turquoise water.

Pink Sands Beach, Bahamas

Yes, this beach also has a glamorous color! The color comes from microscopic foraminifera — marine organisms with pinkish-red shells. When they die, their particles mix with the white sand and create this incredible shade, especially vibrant at sunset.

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By the way, the pink sand doesn’t fade or "disappear" over time. It replenishes naturally, and the beach has maintained its color for thousands of years.

Diamond Beach, Iceland

This beach looks like it’s been decorated with chunks of the purest crystal. That’s because actual icebergs get washed up on the black volcanic sand — literally. Right nearby is the Jökulsárlón glacier, where giant pieces of ice break off, float through the lagoon, drift into the ocean, and then get tossed back onto the shore.

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The contrast between the black sand and the sparkling ice “diamonds” is so surreal that visitors often fall completely silent, just staring at the beauty. But some of these icy boulders melt within hours, so every visit to the beach feels like the first time!

Papakōlea Beach, Hawaii

Here it is — the green beach. Yes, that exists! Papakōlea is one of only four beaches in the world where the sand has a bright green color thanks to the mineral olivine. It appears as a result of volcanic eruptions, and on a sunny day, the shore looks like it's glowing from within.

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This beach isn’t easy to find — you have to walk several kilometers through lava fields. But those who make the trek say it’s absolutely worth the effort. Locals even believe the sand is “charged” with volcanic energy and brings good luck to those who don’t take it home. And for those who do sneak some away — strange things might start happening. Better not test it!

Koekohe Beach, New Zealand

This coastline is scattered with dozens of nearly perfect spherical boulders, many the size of a person. Scientists believe they’re over 60 million years old, formed from marine mud that slowly hardened and got coated in minerals. 

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The local Māori people say these stones are the remains of a canoe belonging to their ancestors, wrecked in a storm. On one hand, it's a scientific artifact, on the other — a mythical site. And it’s no wonder: photos from here look like scenes from a “Star Wars” planet.

Boulders Beach, South Africa

If you thought the most exciting beach wildlife was just seagulls — think again. This beach is home to a whole colony of African penguins, and they absolutely own the place. They casually waddle among tourists, dive into the waves, and even put on little “shows” by jumping off the rocks.

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Despite all the activity, the beach remains very clean and well-kept: special boardwalks were built so visitors don’t disturb the feathered residents. During breeding season, parts of the beach are closed for the safety of the chicks. And by the way, the African penguin is endangered — so visiting this beach is also a rare chance to connect with nature that may soon be gone forever.

Hyams Beach, Australia

This beach made it into the Guinness World Records as the one with the whitest sand in the world. It’s so bright that in sunny weather it literally blinds you — tourists recommend sunglasses not for the sun but for the sand!

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Hyams Beach is surrounded by eucalyptus groves, so the air smells like a spa. The funny part? Locals are still arguing whether their beach is really the whitest. There's ongoing competition with a few other Australian beaches, and sometimes they even hold “sand battles” with measurements and photo evidence. Yes, seriously!

Shell Beach, Australia

One of the very few beaches in the world with no sand at all. The entire shoreline is made up of millions of tiny white shells. They’re layered up to 10 meters deep! Locals say walking barefoot here feels like stepping on crunchy snow — only warm.

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This place is protected by UNESCO, and collecting the shells is strictly prohibited. Still, some people try to sneak a handful — and end up with fines. Amazingly, even after decades, the beach hasn’t “run out” — nature keeps producing these shells in huge numbers.

Caracoles Beach, Costa Rica

This amazing beach sees a strange gathering every evening… of crabs. Thousands of small crabs march out of the forest in a caravan and make their way to the water, covering the sand in a moving carpet. Why? They do this according to the lunar calendar — it’s time to spawn.

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Tourists plan their visits around specific moon phases to catch the “rush hour” of the crabs. Locals even organize special flashlight tours at night to watch the spectacle without disturbing them.

Beach with Pigs, Bahamas

You might have thought that beaches are only home to people, birds, and fish but the Bahamas are different. There’s a beach called Explorer, where... pigs live! And not just roaming around on the beach but they also swim in the ocean. Yes, you heard that right! 

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For some strange reason, these adorable animals have made this beach their home and become internet stars. It’s not clear who brought them here but one thing’s for sure: if you want to see a pig swimming beside you, this beach is your chance!

Maho Beach, Saint Martin 

At first glance, Maho Beach looks like your typical tropical paradise with soft white sand and crystal-clear water. But hidden behind this serene image is one of the most extreme natural experiences you can find. The beach is located right next to Princess Juliana International Airport, which ranks among the top ten most dangerous airports in the world. 

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Due to the island’s small size, the runway was built directly behind the beach, so when planes come in to land, their massive bodies fly just 10 to 20 meters above the heads of beachgoers! It’s both thrilling and surreal — and the perfect place to snap some truly epic photos.

Pfeiffer Beach, California

Pfeiffer Beach in California is where nature decided to show off a bit of artistic flair, coloring the sand in stunning shades of purple. The beach is surrounded by rocky cliffs that contain a rare mineral called spessartine, a type of garnet. 

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Over time, rain and ocean water wash the mineral down into the sand, tinting it in a mesmerizing palette ranging from lilac and deep burgundy to rich purples. This natural effect doesn’t just give the beach an unusual look — it also creates an atmosphere that feels almost otherworldly.

Hanalei Bay, Hawaii

Long before filmmakers turned this corner of Hawaii into a movie backdrop (think “South Pacific” in 1958 or “The Descendants” with Clooney in 2011), Hanalei Bay on the island of Kauai was already known for its magical atmosphere. Its beaches — Wai'oli, Hanalei Pavilion, and Black Pot — are framed by lush green mountains rising over 1,200 meters high. 

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And here’s the interesting part: the area comes especially alive in winter, when the waves grow stronger — it’s a favorite season for surfers. But regardless of the time of year, this place is a perfect choice for those who want to experience what paradise looks like without filters.

Copacabana, Brazil

Copacabana is not just a beach, it’s a true legend. About 4 kilometers of golden sand, an everlasting party vibe, and an incredible landscape where modernist and art deco skyscrapers stand beside sharp mountain peaks. 

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Even the beach promenade is something special — a black-and-white Portuguese-style mosaic designed by the landscape genius Roberto Burle Marx. This is a place where life is always in full swing: some are playing beach volleyball, some are selling shrimp and fruit ice, and others are strolling by with a cocktail in hand.

Scala dei Turchi, Italy

On the west coast of Sicily, nature stuns — Scala dei Turchi, or the Stair of the Turks, is a blindingly white marlstone cliff that gently “descends” into the sea like steps. The contrast between the white rock and the azure sea is simply hypnotizing — photographers come here for shots that truly take your breath away.

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But there’s a sad side — due to overwhelming crowds of tourists, the cliff was damaged, and in 2020 authorities banned climbing it. Now it can only be admired from a designated viewpoint...

Sotavento, Canary Islands

The island of Fuerteventura might be developed in parts but Sotavento is a completely different story. Almost 15 kilometers of golden sand, dunes, lagoons, tides — and minimal signs of civilization. 

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Just you, the wind, and the ocean…The constant winds create perfect conditions for surfing and sailing. Local lagoons appear and disappear with the tides, and the landscape looks different every time. This isn’t a place for beach cocktails and sunbeds but for those who want to feel free!

Hot Water Beach, New Zealand

On the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand lies one of the most unusual beaches in the world — Hot Water Beach. Visitors don’t come here just to sunbathe but to dig themselves a... hot bath right in the sand. It’s all thanks to the underground thermal springs that run beneath the beach, heating the water to nearly boiling temperatures.

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The best time for “digging” is two hours before and after low tide. People arrive with shovels to create their own personal spa resort right by the ocean. Just don’t forget to bring a bucket of cold water — it can get really hot!

Bowling Ball Beach, California

On the Mendocino Coast in California, nature seems to have decided to play a round of bowling. At low tide, a striking scene reveals itself — dozens of perfectly round boulders lined up like balls on a lane. 

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These formations are called “concretions,” and though they look like something extraterrestrial, they were crafted by the Earth itself — slowly, over millions of years.

Jurassic Coast, England

If you’ve ever dreamed of finding a dinosaur fossil, head to southern England. The Jurassic Coast stretches for 150 kilometers and is like a real-time geology textbook. 

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You can witness 185 million years of Earth’s history carved directly into the cliffs. Remnants of past eras literally tumble onto the beach — due to constant coastal erosion, new discoveries appear almost daily.

Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh

If you’ve ever dreamed of a beach walk that doesn’t end even after a few hours, Cox’s Bazar is your dream come true — one of the longest beaches in the world. It stretches for an astonishing 150 kilometers along the Bay of Bengal! 

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At high tide, the beach is about 180 meters wide, and during low tide, you might even encounter quicksand (yes, that classic childhood fear). But as long as you’re careful, you’ll find an endless line of sand, dotted with hotels, restaurants, and sunsets that look like they were made for postcards.

Rabida Island, Galápagos, Ecuador

This little island is a true star of nature documentaries. Rabida is famous for its deep red sands, which owe their color to the high iron content in the local lava. 

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It’s home to nine varieties of Darwin’s finches, as well as blue-footed boobies, sea lions, and pelicans — all of which you might spot just a few steps away. It’s like a beach safari but real.

Palm Cove Beach, Australia

In the tropical north of Queensland, just a stone’s throw from the Great Barrier Reef, lies a slice of paradise called Palm Cove. Towering palms here seem to lean toward the water, eager to be the first to dive into the turquoise waves. 

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The beach is often blissfully empty — the village is home to just around 2,000 people. It’s the perfect place to escape the crowds, listen to the surf, and scan the horizon: dolphins and whales are regular visitors.

Ora Beach, Seram Island, Indonesia

Ora Beach is often called the “Little Maldives of Indonesia,” and for good reason. It’s tucked away on the island of Seram, which sits at the meeting point of tectonic plates. 

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This means the landscape here shifts like scenes in a movie — from tropical jungles buzzing with birds to misty, brooding mountains. Tourists are still rare, so hurry before the place gets discovered and overrun.

Mona Vale Beach, New South Wales, Australia

Just an hour from Sydney and you’re in a spot where the beach splits in two, separated by a massive rock that looks straight out of a film set. Mona Vale Beach isn’t just soft sand and crystal-clear waters — it also boasts a sea-fed swimming pool, with a special section for kids. 

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In the early morning, joggers come to catch the sunrise, by midday families arrive with umbrellas and picnics, and by evening it’s the surfers’ turn, hanging on for just one more wave as the sun goes down.

Llanddwyn Beach, Anglesey, Wales

Three kilometers of romance and legend await at this Welsh beach, nicknamed “The Beach of Lovers.” According to local tales, this is where Princess Dwynwen fled and became the patron saint of lovers in Wales. 

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The setting really does feel made for a love story — windswept shorelines, rolling dunes, a lighthouse, and a sprawling nature reserve where you can spot rare birds and imagine yourself in a fairytale.

Ile aux Cerfs, Mauritius

The name of this island translates from French as “Island of Deer” — once, deer were brought here from Java for hunting. These days, Ile aux Cerfs has become a victim of its own beauty: crowded beaches, endless offers of massages, coconuts, and everything in between. 

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But here’s the trick: walk just half a kilometer along the shore and you’ll find a different world, where the white sand and turquoise water belong only to you.

Playa Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

This spot is perfect for a family getaway, especially if the kids love animals. The beach borders the Manuel Antonio National Park, where sloths, capuchins, and even howler monkeys roam the coastal rainforest. It’s about a 30-minute walk from the park entrance — a mini safari in itself. 

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And at the end, you’ll be rewarded with soft sand, perfect waves, and honey-gold sunsets. For the best experience, check into Arenas del Mar, an eco-hotel spread across 11 acres of nature.

Gantheaume Point, Broome, Western Australia

This place was made for your dream photo. Bright orange cliffs stand in stark contrast to the sky-blue waters of the Indian Ocean, forming a scene you won’t want to forget. You might catch sight of rare snubfin dolphins, and if you climb up to the old lighthouse, you could spot ospreys nesting in the structure. 

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But the real magic happens during the lowest tide: beneath your feet, 125-million-year-old dinosaur footprints emerge from the amber reef rock. And yes — they still look like they were left just yesterday.

Driftwood Beach, USA

There are beaches where you want to sunbathe, beaches perfect for swimming, and then there are those where you simply walk around with your mouth open — out of sheer amazement. Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island in Georgia definitely belongs to the last category. Here, huge trees lie scattered across the sand, their roots looking somewhat eerie, and at dusk the beach feels like a scene straight out of an apocalyptic movie. No wonder a scene from “The Walking Dead” was filmed here!

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But despite all this gothic beauty, the place is far from gloomy. Children happily climb the bleached trunks, splash in tide pools among the roots, and in the evening, couples arrive for romantic photoshoots as the sunset lights up the trees in warm golden tones.

Grayton Beach, Florida, USA

First, you see the sugar-white sand, as if powdered sugar has been sprinkled all over the shore. Then — the crystal-clear water of the Gulf of Mexico. And only then do you realize that this place is something truly unique. Grayton Beach is not just a pretty location for vacation photos, it’s a genuine natural phenomenon.

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Here you’ll find rare coastal dune lakes — a geological rarity that exists in only four countries in the world. Ocean water periodically seeps into these freshwater lakes, creating an unusual blend of ecosystems. The largest of them, Western Lake, is surrounded by a 7-kilometer trail where you can walk, cycle, or simply relax under the sun.

Vik Beach, Iceland

Iceland knows how to amaze, and the black sands of Vik Beach are living proof. Here, there’s no usual golden shoreline — just coal-black volcanic sand with silver waves of the Atlantic crashing over it in dramatic style.

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Towering above the beach are surreal rock formations, so perfectly symmetrical it’s hard to believe they weren’t carved by an architect. This place is so cinematic that, naturally, it made its way onto the list of filming locations for “Game of Thrones.”

Benagil Sea Cave, Algarve, Portugal

Portugal is home to many stunning beaches but the beach hidden inside the Benagil Sea Cave is something truly special. It’s a rock formation with a skylight above, and inside — soft sand, gentle waves, and perfect silence. Just wow!

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You can only get there by water — on a kayak, a boat, or a paddleboard. And although this is no longer Algarve’s best-kept secret, the feeling of having discovered something extraordinary never really fades.

Durdle Door, Dorset, United Kingdom

On this stretch of the Jurassic Coast, protected by UNESCO, a massive stone arch rises straight from the sea — as if someone wanted to build a gate for an ancient sea monster. The arch formed naturally but it looks so perfect that it almost seems man-made.

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You can only reach this spot on foot — first through the nearby Lulworth Cove, then via a staircase carved into white cliffs. Thanks to this, Durdle Door stays relatively crowd-free and feels a bit like a secret — even though it’s one of the most famous landmarks on the coast.

Praia As Catedrais, Ribadeo

The giant slate arches carved by centuries of waves and wind really do resemble a cathedral. That’s exactly where the name “Beach of the Cathedrals” comes from.

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At low tide, you can walk under these natural vaults, explore sea caves, and take dozens of photos that will rake in likes before you even get home. At high tide, though, much of the beach disappears beneath the water, so it’s wise to check tide schedules in advance — otherwise you might show up and only see the waves licking the base of the cliffs.

Anjuna Beach, Goa, India

Anjuna is not just a beach. Here you’ll find everything — locals selling coconuts, tourists with guitars, and beach parties right on the sand. But what really sets it apart are the cows. Yes, real cows, peacefully strolling along the shore among sunbathers.

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In Hinduism, the cow is a sacred animal, so they’re treated with respect and roam freely. They lie on the sand, walk past cafes, and sometimes even pose for pictures. As the sun sets, they slowly head back inland, and the beach transforms — music, lights, and conversations that last until sunrise.

Chandipur, India

This is also a beach where the sea vanishes… And not metaphorically — literally. Twice a day, the water recedes up to 5 kilometers. 

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During low tide, you can walk on the ocean floor, spot tiny crabs and turtles scuttling about — pretty cool, right? But be alert — the tide returns quickly, and your peaceful walk can turn into a sprint back to shore.