10. Clifton, Cape Town, South Africa
With a visually captivating backdrop of some of the best mountains of Cape Town, Clifton Beach is a crowd puller. Located in Camp’s Bay, Clifton beach is nestled by cliffs that offer panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. The beach is also a Blue Flag winner with excellent beach facilities, which make it an exotic locale for unhindered family fun and an ideal picnic spot.
9. Cathedral Beach, Spain
If you are looking for a perfect getaway, head over to Cathedral Beach in Spain. The 1.5km stretch of this serene beach is peppered with underwater arches and gothic-looking intricate caves, looking more or less like a Cathedral on a beach. Tide pooling here is one activity that cannot be missed. A visit to this unusual beach is an absolute must during low tides.
8. Papakolea Beach, Hawaii
Located in the Kau district of Hawaii is the popular Papakolea, or Green Sand Beach. The beach gets its name due to the abundance of the semi-precious Olivine crystals that are interspersed with the fine sandy environment. The unusual green coloured sand was derived from the volcanic activity of Mauna Loa, which is the world’s largest volcano.
7. Hidden Beach, Mexico
A secret beach created quite by accident, the isolated paradise is believed to be a result of test bombs in the area. Today the beach cannot be seen from the outside and can be accessed only through a water tunnel. The hidden gem is popular among tourists and honeymooners.
6. Shell Beach, Australia
A white sandy beach covered in cockle shells in the Western Region of Australia, Shell Beach is one of the most saline beaches known. The tiny shells go down almost 10 metres deep and is part of the Shark Bay World Heritage Site.
5. Pink Sands Beach, Bahamas
A beach that truly stands out from the usual sandy brown, the pink sands of the Bahamas are made up of coral fragments, broken shells and many tiny marine shell animals.
Located close to Fort Bragg in California, the colourful Glass Beach is a result of years of trash being dumped in the area by local residents. The garbage eventually pounded in to the sand by the ever-changing surf and tides. Today the glass beach sees thousands of visitors a day.
3. Moeraki Boulders, New Zealand
Also called Dragon’s Eggs or Dinosaur’s Eggs, the boulders on Koekohe Beach in New Zealand are an extraordinary sight to see. The giant spheres are made of sedimentary rock that have been shaped by the crashing waves, giving them their distinct look.
2. Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland
The unusual Giant’s Causeway was created over 50 million years ago as a result of a volcanic eruption. The area today consists of basalt columns and boulders in hexagonal scale-like patterns. There are many legends and tales about the Giant’s Causeway, the most famous one gives its name to the attraction - that the columns are remnants of a causeway built by the giant Finn MacCool.
1. Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE
A truly luxurious experience, it’s hard for anyone to believe that the Palm Island is an artificial man-made island constructed into the shape of a date palm, an icon of the Middle East. Today Palm Jumeirah is home to plenty of hotels, resorts and residences with access to the pristine beach and Arabian shore.
