12 mind-blowing beaches you didn't know existed. Part 2

Sun, surfing, and sand in all the colors of the rainbow!

Beaches with green sand

There are two beaches in the world with green sand: Papakolea in Hawaii and Talofofo on the island of Guam. These coastlines have gained their unusual color due to the crystals of olivine, which are eroded from basalt deposits, formed likely from underwater volcanoes. Since olivine crystals are much heavier than most minerals, they are washed ashore and remain here when the tide carries away the lighter sand with the water.

Beaches with blue sand

In fact, it is not the sand that glows with a wonderful blue color, but bioluminescent phytoplankton scattered along the coastline of the Maldives. The glow is caused by ecological stress (plankton being washed ashore). It is an incredible sight.

Beaches with smooth stones

Who said that there must be sand on the beach? These stunning columns on the Giant's Causeway in Ireland appear too uniform to be natural. In fact, they are made of basalt and layers of solidified lava.

Beaches with purple sand

It’s a bit of a pity that not all beaches are so colorful. The exotic purple sands of Pfeiffer Beach (California) derive their unusual color from garnet and manganese granules, whose deposits are widespread throughout the region.

Beaches with black sand

They are incredible, unusual, and seem somewhat uncomfortable. Numerous black sand beaches have obtained their unique color due to high concentrations of eroded lava and volcanic rocks.

Cave beaches

Where there is the destructive power of the ocean and an unlimited amount of time, you are sure to discover a few caves, and inside them... secret beaches. The secret beach cave in Mexico and the cave beach Algarve in Portugal are two of the most famous examples of such incredible beaches hidden in caves.