I don’t know about you, but I love going to the beach! The warmth of the Sun’s rays, the splash of the waves, the golden sand… it almost sounds to good to be true. But not all beaches are the same – and not all have golden sand. Some show the most dazzling and unlikely display of color – here are just a few of these jaw dropping colored beaches.
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Kaihalulu – red sand beach
This amazing beach located just off Maui island means ‘roaring sea’ in Hawaiian – a fitting name for such this great beach. It’s also a cultural place – it was the site of a fortress and temple (heiau) where several battles were fought against invaders from Hawaiʻi island.
You won’t find any more beaches coated in this blood red color, because it’s the special geological setting that gives the sand its reddish hue.
The sand owes this color to cinder cone; cinder cone or scoria cone as it is also called a steep conical hill of volcanic fragments that accumulate. In this case they were also eroded up to the point they become sand.
Papakolea Beach – green sand beach
Papakolea beach is another example of what wonders can be created through volcanic activity.
It is also located in US, and again in Hawaii – and the resemblances don’t end here. Papakolea is also a result of cinder cone, but this time we’re talking about olivines – crystals created in the depths of the earth.
The olivine crystals were part of the underlying magma, and are made mostly out of magnesium, iron and oxygen. But there’s no need to worry – the last lava eruption took place over 10,000 years ago.
Harbor Beach – pink sand beach
This beach isn’t or volcanic origin like the previous ones, but it is in fact made out of small pieces of coral; that’s right, small, pink pieces of coral.
It is one of the most special travel destinations in Bahamas, and in case you’re wondering, it’s actually quiet too – perfect for the ones who just want to get away.
Hyams beach – The beach with the whitest sand in the world
This beach is actually mentioned in the Guinness world record book as the beach with the whitest sand in the world. Other nearby attractions include Jervis Bay Marine Park and surrounding trails and forests.
Located only a two hour drive away from Sidney, this beach is made of quartz, one of the most common yet spectacular minerals in the Earth’s crust.
Punalu’u Beach – Black sand
From white, to black. Punalu’u Beach is a sight to behold. Again, the black beach comes from shattered basaltic rocks, which are volcanic rocks. The swimming area is very rocky, and it can be dangerous to swim, so be careful if you’re visiting it.
Punaluʻu is frequented by endangered Hawksbill and Green turtles, which can often be seen basking on the black sand.
Pfeiffer beach – purple sand beach
Believe it or not, this magnificent beach is washed by a lavish purple color; this purple color comes from manganese crystals, eroded and washed away by the wind’s action.
This is one of the best places in the world where you should bring that special person, for a romantic walk, or who knows, for the honeymoon, while she is still wearing wedding flowers.
Well, that’s not all the colored beaches in the world – that’s for sure! These are only the best we could find right now, so please, share with us your favorite beach – pics are a bonus. We would really love that, and so would other readers just like yourself.