Are you tired of visiting the yellow or white sand beaches? Do you crave a memorable beach experience that will leave you wanting more? There are unique beaches all over the world just waiting for you to experience their beauty.
From the Pink Sand Beach in the Bahamas to the Bioluminescent Beach in the Maldives, here are the top 7 unique beaches to visit in 2023.
- Pink Sand Beach (Harbor Island, Bahamas)
If you are vacationing in the Bahamas, then Pink Sand Beach is a must-see beach for you. One of the most unique beaches in the world, the Pink Sand Beach is a 3 miles shoreline of powdery silk beautifully manicured pink sand.
The color comes from dead microscopic coral insects known as Foraminifera that blend with the sand once washed ashore.
Free to visit at any time, Pink Beach is great for swimming, sunbathing, sightseeing, taking strolls at sunrises and sunsets, horseback riding, and snorkeling. There is a great chance of spotting the Foraminifera when snorkeling.
For maximum comfort, please remember to carry beach chairs, umbrellas, towels, water, and snacks.
- Papakolea Green Sand Beach (Kau District, Hawaii)
Papakolea Beach is one of the four green sand beaches in the world. A Beautiful secluded beach in the Kau District, Papakolea beach contains green crystals due to the eruption of the Mauna Loa volcano.
An ideal place to relax, the Green Sand Beach is only accessible by foot, therefore, requiring hiking shoes because of the uneven terrain.
Although secluded compared to other beaches, Papakolea is perfect for sunbathing, walking, surfing, or taking pictures and videos. Note, only experienced surfers are encouraged to surf due to the absence of lifeguards on the beach.
To avoid the crowd, arrive at the beach before noon and ensure you carry a lot of water and snacks as there are no amenities in the area.
Also, ensure to leave the area as clean as you found it, and remember though the green sands are tempting to carry, do not take it with you as it is illegal.
- Chandipur Beach (Orissa, India)
Have you ever heard of a vanishing shoreline? It is time to visit Chandipur, a secluded beach in Odisha, Eastern India. A golden sand beach surrounded by Casuarina trees, and lush coastal vegetation, the sea unbelievably vanishes twice a day, throughout the year.
Interestingly, the seawater retreats up to 5 km during the low tide and returns during the high tide. This activity enables tourists to walk on the sea bed for some minutes before the sea rushes back to its place. At that moment, it is possible to collect sea shells, oysters, red crabs, horseshoe crabs, sea leaves, and other marine particles.
Though the beach is not ideal for swimming, it is perfect for walks and relaxation with family or friends. Bike rides are also popular with the locals when the shoreline recedes.
The beach also hosts an elaborate beach festival in February. The festival entails art and culture activities, dance shows, and other activities. The best time to visit Chandipur Beach is between November and March, as the sunrise and sunset views are phenomenal.
- Shell Beach (Shark Bay, Australia)
Made up of millions of cockle shells, Shell Beach in Shark Bay is one of the two shell beaches in the world worth visiting. A spectacular beach with crystal clear waters, the beach is safe to swim and snorkel. However, you will be covered in a layer of salt when you come out of the water.
Easily accessible by two-wheel drive vehicles, the shell beach has a huge car park, picnic tables, and toilets.
There are also interpretive signs along the short walk between the car park and the beach to educate visitors about the cockles. Don’t forget that camping at the beach is not permitted.
- Glass Beach (Fort Bragg, California)
The Glass Beach in Fort Bragg is one of the best glass beaches in the US. Also known as Glass Pebble Beach, it is formerly a dumping ground for garbage and waste material by the locals in the early 1900s.
Interestingly, the glass beach consists of pieces of degraded glass, rocks, coves, tidepools, and a few seashells. The sea glasses are of different colors, sizes, and shapes. Most are clear bottles, broken windows, jars, wine, and brown/green beer bottles. The most popular colors are blue, pink, lavender, green, red, aqua blue, brown, and fire glass.
Other activities to enjoy on the beach is the sunset views, taking walks, jogging, and taking pictures of the glass sand and the crashing waves into the rocks.
To ensure you enjoy your visit to Glass Beach fully, we suggest you go early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Just note that there is a $500 fine for anyone found carrying the sea glass out of the beach.
- Bioluminescent Beach (Vaadohoo Island, Maldives)
Have you ever heard of glowing beaches in Vaadohoo Island, Maldives? Maldives has joined Jamaica, Bali, Japan, Puerto Rico, and other countries with Bioluminescent beaches.
A natural phenomenon, the beach turns into a glowing sea of stars at night due to the presence of bioluminescent organisms.
The Bioluminescent is a fantastic beach to swim, sunbathe, whale watching, scuba diving, and snorkeling during the day. While at night, a boat trip will enable you to enjoy the incredible glow of the ocean.
But remember, though the climate in Vaadohoo Island is temperate year-round, the best time to visit the beach is between June and October.
- Punalu’u Black Sand Beach (Southern Side of Kau, Hawaii)
If you thought there are only pink and green sand beaches, think again, there is the black sand beach in Punalu’u, Hawaii. Located on the southern side of Kau, this sand beach is made of basalt lava, which exploded and flowed into the sea.
The beach is great for a picnic, coastal hike, snorkeling, swimming, or camping with a permit. Ensure to get the okay from lifeguards before swimming since the ocean currents can get quite strong.
Apart from these activities, you get to see the endangered green sea turtles, hawksbill turtles, and the Hawaiian monk seals that sometimes make a rare appearance on the beach. The turtles are not to be fed or touched at any time, so keep a distance of 10 feet from them.
For sunbathers, the beach has rows of coconut palms that provide shade on hot days. Amenities include paved parking, picnic areas, spacious public restrooms, and outdoor showering facilities.
Inside Tip: Carry enough cash to buy snacks, carved coconuts, clothes, and other souvenirs, and do not carry any black sand or any other sand off the Island of Hawaii. This offense is punishable by up to a $100,00 fine.
Conclusion
Picking the best beach is no easy task, but who can resist a day on a unique beach? From the different options of pink, black, sea shells, or bioluminescent beaches, you will have the best beach day of your life.
So, whether you seek relaxation, adventure, or a connection with nature, the above unique beaches are worth visiting in 2023.
