Rainbow Beaches You Have To See To Believe
By SYJIL ASHRAF
Surrounded by red lava cliffs along a rugged Maui coastline, a black offshore reef calms the blue waters and starkly contrasts the red sand that’s made from the erosion of a nearby iron-rich cinder cone. As it is a bit dangerous to get to and extremely remote, and due to its isolation, many beachgoers here have been known to go clothing-optional.
Maui's Red Sand Beach
The Hawaiian shores of Papakōlea Beach on the Big Island have olivine sand (the primary mineral in the gemstone peridot) that has eroded from the volcanic cone that encloses it. A 3-mile hike along volcanic sea cliffs next to the beach leads visitors down to the water.
Papakōlea Beach
It may not be as popular as it once was, but Bermuda is still known for its gorgeous pink sands. The best spot to enjoy them is at Horseshoe Bay in Southampton, where the faded pink tinge of the sand comes from crushed shells, coral fragments, and calcium carbonate mixing together.
Horseshoe Bay
Located In Fort Bragg, California, Glass Beach formed as a result of years of garbage being dumped on the coastline. Over time, the waves wore down what was once trash into sparkling, rounded pebbles of many different colors.
Glass Beach
Balos Beach in Crete, Greece, is yet another spot with pink sand thanks to crushed shells. Looking absolutely picturesque next to the aqua-blue lagoon on which it sits, Balos is also home to beautiful wildlife and rare species of plants.
Balos Beach