The world contains around 372,000
miles (600,000 km) of coastline, which means there’s no shortage of good
beaches. However, not all beaches are created equal. In fact, there are plenty
that really sticks out from the rest. Here is a look at 8 unique beaches that
you should check out next time you go on vacation.
1. CATHEDRAL BEACH, SPAIN
Located along the northwestern
coast of Spain, this beach is famous for its peculiar geological formations.
Known officially as Praia de Augas Santas (Beach of the Holy Waters) it gets
its nickname due to the natural stones that look like something you’d find in a
Gothic cathedral. During the part of the day when the tide is low, you get a
good look at sea caves, arches, and other amazing sights. But catch it while
you can, since the water returns fairly quickly.
2. CHANDIPUR BEACH, INDIA
When people think of India and beaches, Goa in the southwestern part of the country is often their priority. However, don’t underestimate the Bay of Bengal, home to Chandipur Beach.
During
a part of the day, the sea recedes a full 3 miles (5 km), revealing a massive
shortline that you can walk along and feel completely at peace. Of course, this
is a problem for the sea creatures that never see this coming (even though it
literally happens every day) but makes for easy catches if you’re a fisherman.
3. MAN OF WAR BAY, ENGLAND
When you think of “England”, you probably don’t think of it as a beach destination. But Man of War Bay is out to prove you wrong. Situated along the English Channel, this coast covers 95 miles from Exmouth to East Devon and contains animal fossils that date back hundreds of millions of years.
If you dream of becoming a palaeontologist, this is a
must-see. In 2001 the bay was recognized by UNESCO as a Natural World Heritage
Site, a first for England. You might expect that the chilly high winds would
put a damper on things, but in fact, the formations shelter the beach from the
worst of it. As a result, this is the perfect summer destination, especially
for the romantic.
4. REYNISFJARA BEACH, ICELAND
People used to assume Iceland was
boring and, well, icy. But thanks to all those Instagram posts, everybody wants
to travel to the Land of Bjork in order to take in all the natural beauty.
Perhaps the most famous of their beaches is Reynisfjara, with its exquisite
black basalt columns. According to legend, these columns were trolls that had
turned to stone when the sun came up because apparently the sun rising in
Iceland is completely out of the ordinary? Unlike most beaches where you’d want
to visit during the dog days of summer, this is best visited during the winter
when you can see the Northern Lights at night. Just make sure you keep the
waves within your eyesight, so they don’t knock you down!
5. GIANT’S CAUSEWAY BEACH, IRELAND
Take it from me, if you visit Northern Ireland, you’re in for some pretty dreary times if you limit yourself to the capital of Belfast. You need to get up to Northern Ireland and check out the Giant’s Causeway, consisting of 40,000 hexagon black basalt poles that resemble a jigsaw puzzle.
How was all this formed? If you’re a believer in
science, the explanation is volcano eruptions that took place tens of millions
of years ago. But if you would prefer a more intriguing story, it has to do
with a pair of giants that walked across the stones, creating cracks in the process.
6. BENAGIL SEA CAVE BEACH, PORTUGAL
Every year Portugal sees around
27 million tourists, which is nearly 3 times the population of the country. For
the majority, they dream of taking a dip in the waters of the western Algarve. But
the real jewel is in the sea cave of Benagil. The downside is that it can be
difficult to get there. Trains, planes and automobiles won’t work; your only
option is to rent a fishing boat or kayak. But on the other hand, this means
you won’t have to deal with huge crowds. The best time to come is in the early
morning to beat the rush and witness the glistening sun.
7. HOT WATER BEACH, NEW ZEALAND
Have you dreamed of soaking in a
natural hot water spa pool? Hot Water Beach is the place to be! Located on New
Zealand’s north island, all you need to do is bring along a shovel or rent one
out, start digging in the sand (but not too deep), and presto! You’ve got
yourself a personal spa pool. But make sure to plan it well; either two hours
before or after low tide. Afterwards, it becomes too deep to uncover the river
hiding under the stand.
8. RED SAND BEACH, GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
Amongst the islands of the Galapagos archipelago, Rábida Island is the most diverse in terms of its landscape and fauna. Red Sand Beach gets its name from its high iron content, but you also have the green cacti and plants to create stunning contrast. While you’re out catching some rays, you can also acquaint yourself with the friendly sea lions!
