The 10 Most Unusual Beaches of the World

1. Glass Beach in California

The glass beach near Fort Bragg in California formed after the trash dumped there for years by local residents was pounded into sand by the surf. The dumping was eventually prohibited, but the glass sand remains.

2.  The Starry Maldives Beach 

It’s an ocean of stars! Bioluminescent phytoplankton, which glows when agitated, can be found in many shores all over the world, but it seems they’re found more often in Maldives. 

3. Giants Causeway Beach, Ireland

The giant’s causeway was formed 50-60 million years ago when basalt lava rose to the surface and cooled, cracking into strange, large columns.

4. Pfeiffer Purple Sand Beach, California

The purple sand at this beach (which is only found in patches) is formed when manganese garnet deposits in the surrounding hills erode into the sea.

5. Cave Beach in Algarve, Portugal

The Algarve coast consists of limestone, which is easily eroded and can form stunning sea caves like this one.

6. Hidden beach in Marieta, Mexico

This idyllic beach paradise was actually created when the Mexican government in the early 1900′s made a bombsite out of the area, blasting a huge hole on the canopy of the grotto. Despite its dreadful past, we’re actually grateful — the beach looks absolutely gorgeous!

7. Green Sand Beach

Thanks to the mineral olivine, which comes from the nearby cinder cone, this peculiar beach sparkles a brilliant green.

8. Hot Water Beach

Drive down to this beach armed with a shovel, because the best thing to do here is to dig your very own DIY spa. This geothermal beach can get as hot as 64°C (147°F), its heated water spouting from two nearby underground springs. 

9. Beach of the Cathedrals

Magnificent geological formations form a cathedral-like effect across this idyllic beach in Spain. The beach can only be easily accessible during low tide.

10. Scala Dei Turchi

Scala dei Turchi is a set of stairs formed out of natural white rock by years of wave action. Beach-goers are often found covered in white paste made from the mineral Marl that’s abundant in the area and is said to be good for the skin.