Pink, blue, turquoise, black: The most unusual beaches on Earth you’ve probably never seen

What if a beach didn’t look the way you expect it to? What if the sand beneath your feet was pink like crushed rose petals, black like volcanic ash, or shimmered blue under a moonlit sky? Across the world, nature has sculpted coastlines so surreal they feel almost imagined—yet they are very real. Shaped by lava flows, coral fragments, mineral deposits and microscopic organisms, these beaches defy the postcard-perfect stereotype of golden sand and blue water. From colour-shifting shores to coastlines that glow after dark, these rare natural wonders remind us that the planet still has secrets worth chasing. Here are some of the most extraordinary, non-ordinary beaches on Earth—each stunning in its own unforgettable way.

1. Komodo Island’s Pink Beach (Pantai Merah), Indonesia
One of the world’s few naturally pink beaches, Pantai Merah gets its rosy hue from microscopic red organisms mixed with white sand. Framed by turquoise waters and Komodo National Park’s rugged landscape, it feels truly otherworldly.

2. Spiaggia Rosa, Budelli Island – Italy
This protected beach in Sardinia is so fragile that walking on it is prohibited. Its pale pink sand comes from coral fragments and microorganisms, making it one of Europe’s most delicate and visually striking coastlines.

3. Vaadhoo Island – Maldives (Bioluminescent Blue Beach)
By day, Vaadhoo looks calm and unassuming. By night, the shoreline glows electric blue as bioluminescent plankton light up with every wave and footprint, creating the illusion of walking across a star-filled sea.

4. Hyams Beach – Australia (World’s Whitest Sand)
Famous for its Guinness-certified white sand, Hyams Beach dazzles with waters that shift between sapphire and turquoise. The intense contrast between sand and sea often looks almost unreal in photographs.

5. Anse Source d’Argent – Seychelles
This iconic beach is defined by massive, sculpted granite boulders that rise dramatically from shallow turquoise waters. The crystal-clear lagoon and unique rock formations make it one of the most photographed beaches on Earth.

6. Boulders Beach – Cape Town, South Africa
Golden sand meets granite boulders—and a colony of African penguins. This unusual combination makes Boulders Beach one of the few places in the world where you can swim alongside penguins in a natural setting.

7. Punaluʻu Beach – Hawaii, USA (Black Volcanic Sand)
Created by lava flowing into the ocean, Punaluʻu’s jet-black sand offers a stark, dramatic contrast to blue Pacific waters. It’s also a favourite resting spot for endangered Hawaiian green sea turtles.

8. Reynisfjara Beach – Iceland
Dark basalt sand, towering sea stacks and hexagonal rock columns give Reynisfjara an almost apocalyptic beauty. With powerful Atlantic waves crashing ashore, it feels like standing at the edge of the world.

9. Papakōlea Beach – Hawaii, USA (Green Sand Beach)
One of only four green sand beaches on the planet, Papakōlea owes its olive colour to olivine crystals from volcanic activity. Reaching it requires a hike, adding to its sense of rarity and reward.

10. Ramla Bay – Gozo, Malta
Ramla Bay’s burnt orange-red sand stands out sharply against the Mediterranean’s deep blue waters. The colour comes from high iron content in the soil, making it one of Europe’s most unusual beaches.

11. Glass Beach – Fort Bragg, California, USA
Once a dumping site, Glass Beach has transformed into a shoreline of smooth, colourful sea glass polished by decades of waves. It’s a striking example of nature reclaiming and reshaping human impact.

12. Sarakiniko – Milos, Greece
With its chalk-white, moon-like rock formations carved by wind and sea, Sarakiniko looks more lunar than Mediterranean. The contrast between the white cliffs and deep blue water is visually unforgettable.

13. Red Beach – Panjin, China
Not technically a sandy beach, this crimson coastline is covered in seaweed that turns red in autumn. The result is a surreal landscape that looks painted rather than natural.

14. Kaihalulu Beach – Maui, USA (Red Sand Beach)
Hidden behind steep cliffs, Kaihalulu’s deep red sand comes from iron-rich volcanic rock. Its dramatic colour paired with teal waters makes it one of the most striking beaches in Hawaii.

15. Pfeiffer Beach – California, USA
Famous for its purple sand streaks, Pfeiffer Beach gets its unusual colour from manganese garnet deposits washed down from nearby hills. Sunsets here feel especially magical.