Summers often demand a trip to the coast to cool off and relax. Though the world has many standard sandy outposts, there are also a number of beautifully bizarre beaches: those that are striking colors—such as red, green, pink, or black—coastlines that border airplane runways, or even ones with glass beads in place of sand. The unique looks have turned these spots into more than just places to unwind, and into specific destinations in their own rights. Perhaps this is the year to visit them. After all, they may be relatively lesser-known for now, but that may not be the case forever. Below, AD tours nine striking beaches that look nothing like what we’ve come to expect of these landscapes, proving that beauty is often even more compelling in the unexpected.
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Cathedrals Beach (Ribadeo, Spain)
Located on the northwest coast of Spain, Cathedrals Beach may appear small and rather ordinary during high tide. However, at low tide, stunning natural arches and caves appear. It’s proof that Mother Nature is perhaps as gifted of an architect as any human.
Photo: Chris Domingo/Getty Images
Glass Beach (Fort Bragg, California)
Glass Beach near Fort Bragg is essentially what it sounds like: a beach made from glass. Though now one of the most beautifully bizarre beaches, it has a less favorable history. The area used to be a dump location for trash. Overtime, the Pacific Ocean smoothed the waste into small, colorful beads. The area is now a popular tourist destination, though local authorities prohibit guests from taking any glass with them.
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Maho Beach, Saint Martin
If you consider yourself an aerophile, a visit to Maho Beach should be at the top of your bucket list. The sandy escape borders an airport and sunbathers are often able to watch planes fly extremely low before touching down at the landing strip.
Photo: Patryk Kosmider/Getty Images
Elafonissi Beach (Crete, Greece)
Like cotton candy swirled with crystals, Elafonissi Beach is one of the world’s most magnificent sites. The bubblegum color comes from Foraminifera shellfishes, which leave red shells after they die. Overtime, the shells get crushed up and mixed with the sand, leading to the pastel hue.
Over 40,000 massive black basalt columns define this beach in Northern Ireland. While its name is derived from myths that giants created the distinctive landscape, a geological study shows it was formed from volcanic activity 50 to 60 million years ago.
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Red Sand Beach (Rabida, Galapagos)
Located on the northern side of Rabida Island, Red Sand Beach in the Galapagos looks like something you’d expect to find on Mars. The island was formed from a volcanic eruption, and the vibrant shade is a result of high-levels of iron in the lava. In addition to its distinct color, the locale also has a large sea lion population.
Photo: Damien Verrier/Getty Images
Papakōlea Green Sand Beach (Hawaii)
Papakōlea is one of just a few green beaches in the world. Located on the Big Island, the Oz-like destination is located inside a bay cut into a side of cinder cone—a type of volcano—that erupted 50,000 years ago. The emerald shade is due to the mineral olivine.
Photo: Juan Carlos Fotografia/Getty Images
Benagil Cave (Algarve, Portugal)
There’s no need to bring a sun shade to this beach in Portugal. Completed with a natural skylight, Benagil Cave was formed through years of erosion. Many travelers rent kayaks to get to the hidden beach, which is located between two towns, Portimao and Albufeira.
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Playa de los Gigantes (Tenerife, Spain)
Like other colored beaches, this one on Tenerife, Spain, also gets its chroma from volcanic activity. One of the Canary Islands, lava formed black rocks, which overtime eroded to sand in the same color.
Photo: Guang Cao/Getty Images
Photo: Guang Cao/Getty Images
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Photo: Chris Domingo/Getty Images.jpg)
Photo: Chris Domingo/Getty Images
Photo: Paula Anddrade/Getty Images
Photo: Paula Anddrade/Getty Images
Photo: Patryk Kosmider/Getty Images
Photo: Patryk Kosmider/Getty Images
Photo: MN Studio/Getty Images
Photo: MN Studio/Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Damien Verrier/Getty Images
Photo: Damien Verrier/Getty Images
Photo: Juan Carlos Fotografia/Getty Images
Photo: Juan Carlos Fotografia/Getty Images
Photo: Abstract Aerial Art/Getty Images
Photo: Abstract Aerial Art/Getty Images
