Beaches are often synonymous with golden sands and clear blue waters, but some of the world's shorelines defy these expectations with their unique and unusual characteristics. From relaxation areas in naturally occurring caves to stretches of sand in unexpected colors, these extraordinary beaches offer a glimpse into nature's most fascinating quirks. All of these landscapes offer unforgettable experiences to those who visit.

If you’re Intrigued, continue swiping to discover the most unusually awesome beaches from around the globe.

Glass Beach

Fort Bragg, California

Between 1949 and 1967, residents of Fort Bragg used this designated area to dump their waste into. It was the third dumpsite of its kind between 1906 and 1967 when area leaders closed it and cleaned it up to reverse some of the damage. Over the next few decades, left over sea glass collected on the shore and created this beautiful scene.

Papakōlea Green Sand Beach

Big Island, Hawaii

Located even closer to the southernmost point of the U.S. is the Papakōlea green sand beach. The sand owes its color to an abundance of olivine crystals from a nearby volcano. This beach is a wonder to see and enjoy, but make sure you pack everything you need. There aren’t any facilities at all.

Photography: Wikimedia Commons/Wasif Malik

Elafonissi Beach

Crete, Greece

Crete has one of the most beautiful beaches found in Greece or one its 150+ islands. With crystal clear water, beautiful mountainous backdrop and ample room for visitors, this beach is a great destination for folks that like to take things easy.

Giants Causeway Beach

Country Antrim, Northern Ireland

Legend has it that this interesting rock formation is left over from a causeway that Fionn Mac Cumhaill — a giant from Gaelic mythology — built across the North Channel so he could challenge a giant from Scotland named Benandonner to a fight. In reality, the unique look of the shoreline is a result of volcanic activity from 50 - 60 million years ago.

Red Beach

Rabida, Galapagos

A high level of iron present in the ashes on this volcanic island give Red Beach its rich color. The island is located about 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador and its home to a variety of birds, rare plants and sea lions.

Pink Sands Beach

 Harbour Island, Bahamas

Microscopic, single-cell organisms called foraminifera gives this beach its soft pink hue. The three-mile stretch is home to fancy resorts that are frequented by the ultra wealthy. On Pink Sands beach, the sand is soft like powder and the water is shallows.

Pfeiffer Beach

Big Sur, California

You don’t often encounter a beach with naturally occurring purple sand. Over millions of years of erosion, bits of manganese garnet rocks from above have given the sand its unique color. Its a low key area and the color of the sand is most rich after it rains.

Punalu’u Black Sand Beach

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

This beach near Hawaii’s southern tip is a popular tourist attractive. Visitors should be mindful of the area’s strong rip currents and stick to enjoying this area from the sand. It’s also the home to a large population of sea turtles.