We’re all used to travel to sandy or rocky beaches that are exotic and exclusive on their own, right? The best beaches in Menorca are a good example for this matter.
But in a place known as “Blue Planet” thanks to its gigantic oceans, it’s obvious that there are some hidden beaches that are very unique and jaw-dropping…
Can you imagine a beach beach with green sand? Or with glowing blue waves?
Join us in the quest to find the some of the most uncommon and incredible beaches in the world!
Glass Beach, California
This beach was actually a dump site from 1949 to 1967 and that explains its name and all the multicoloured glass that can be found there. It’s located close to Fort Bragg in California and thanks to mother nature and the constant waves, most of the glass is slowly disappearing!
Bioluminescent Beach, Maldives
The sand of this beach in the Maldives lights up at night with a glowing blue colour thanks to a chemical reaction caused by phytoplankton, a type of algae. Forget about sunbathing and save the early hours of the night to enjoy this rare and one-of-a-kind show.
![Bioluminescent Beach in Maldives](https://www.edreams.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/08/Bioluminescent-Beach-Maldives.jpg 720w, https://www.edreams.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/08/Bioluminescent-Beach-Maldives-300x200.jpg 300w)
Hidden beach in the Islas Marietas, Mexico
This beach is “hidden” in front of Puerto Vallarta where the Pacific ocean bathes the coast of Mexico. It used to be a volcanic crater but right now it’s a piece of paradise for the lucky ones that can get there. It’s also known as “Playa del Amor” in spanish, or “Love Beach” in english.
![Hidden beach in the Islas Marietas - Mexico](https://www.edreams.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/08/Hidden-beach-in-the-Islas-Marietas-Mexico.jpg 640w, https://www.edreams.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/08/Hidden-beach-in-the-Islas-Marietas-Mexico-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.edreams.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/08/Hidden-beach-in-the-Islas-Marietas-Mexico-300x300.jpg 300w)
Koekohe Beach, New Zealand
The Koekohe Beach in New Zealand features rocky spheres with an unusual shape and size that the wind and waves of the sea have been polishing for centuries. The final landscape that has been created is magical to say the least!
Pig Beach, Bahamas
It’s officially known as Big Major Cay and unofficially called the Pig Beach. It’s located in Exuma – Bahamas – and as the name suggests you can actually swim with the pigs of this unhabitat island. Their breed is unknown and the legend says that sailors dropped the pigs here with the intention to come back (and cook them) but that never happened and today they’re a popular tourist attraction. There are other beaches with surreal animals in case you’re interested!
![Pig Beach in Exuma, Bahamas](https://www.edreams.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/08/Pig-Beach-exuma-Bahamas.jpg 720w, https://www.edreams.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/08/Pig-Beach-exuma-Bahamas-300x200.jpg 300w)
Giant’s Causeway, Ireland
This beach is famous for its peculiar rocky formation which in reality are basalt columns caused by a volcanic eruption. It’s located on the north coast of Ireland and it’s a World Heritage UNESCO Site since 1986. As for the origin of its name, the legend says a giant built a causeway and the rocks are the the only thing left of it.
![Giant's Causeway Ireland](https://www.edreams.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/08/Giants-Causeway-Ireland.jpg 720w, https://www.edreams.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/08/Giants-Causeway-Ireland-300x199.jpg 300w)
Praia Formosa, Madeira
There aren’t many sand beaches in Madeira, the famous Portuguese island located in the middle of the Atlantic ocean. One of the exceptions is Praia Formosa, this beach has dark black sand due to its volcanic origin.
![Praia Formosa with black sand in Madeira Island, Portugal](https://www.edreams.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/08/praia-formosa-madeira-black-sand-beach-by-diana_vieira01.jpg 720w, https://www.edreams.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/08/praia-formosa-madeira-black-sand-beach-by-diana_vieira01-240x300.jpg 240w)
Beach of the Cathedrals, Ribadeo
The incredible arches of this Galician beach in Spain are the reason for its name: the “Beach of Cathedrals” in english or “Playa de las Catedrales” in spanish. The powerful waves are responsible for this unique landscape that is well worth a visit (and plenty of photos) during the last hours of the day when the sun gets between the rocks.
![Beach of the Cathedrals in Ribadeo, Galicia, Spain](https://www.edreams.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/08/Beach-of-the-Cathedrals-Ribadeo-galicia-spain.jpg 720w, https://www.edreams.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/08/Beach-of-the-Cathedrals-Ribadeo-galicia-spain-300x224.jpg 300w)
Prince Edward Island, Canada
Some say it’s one of the most beautiful islands in the world… This part of Canada resembles the Mediterranean coast thanks to its 500 miles of sand and reddish tone rocks, which turn into purple flowers and roses when summertime comes around.
![Prince Edward Island in Canada](https://www.edreams.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/08/Prince-Edward-Island-Canada.jpg 720w, https://www.edreams.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/08/Prince-Edward-Island-Canada-300x200.jpg 300w)
Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Maranhão, Brazil
Each year the torrential raining season floods the desert dunes of the “Lençóis National Park” in Brazil, creating lagoons with a turquoise colour in the white sand valleys. This desert beaches are as beautiful as they’re unique, since they disappear in October when all the rain has evaporated.
![Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Maranhão in Brazil](https://www.edreams.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/08/Lençóis-Maranhenses-National-Park-Maranhão-Brazil.jpg 720w, https://www.edreams.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/08/Lençóis-Maranhenses-National-Park-Maranhão-Brazil-300x185.jpg 300w)
Kourou, French Guiana
No, it’s not green grass. The green coloured sand of this beach comes from the olivine, which is formed when the lava comes in contact with the sea.
![Kourou green sand beach in French Guiana](https://www.edreams.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/08/Kourou-green-sand-French-Guiana.jpg 720w, https://www.edreams.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/08/Kourou-green-sand-French-Guiana-300x225.jpg 300w)
Jökulsárlón, Iceland
Jökulsárlón is the largest and most famous glacier lake in Iceland. The colours of the small icebergs which are visible from the shore can go from turquoise to deep blue, as well as yellow, black and white.
![Jökulsárlón glacier lake in Iceland](https://www.edreams.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/08/Jökulsárlón-glacier-lake-Iceland.jpg 720w, https://www.edreams.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/08/Jökulsárlón-glacier-lake-Iceland-300x202.jpg 300w)
Elafonissi, Greece
In this paradisiac corner of Greece the colour of the sand is normally white, but depending on the light it turns into pink. The Elafonissi beach is another perfect spot for beautiful (and unique) photos.