Planet Earth is blessed with many beautiful landscapes, from stunning mountain ranges to deep blue lakes. While we often gorge on the beauty of these vistas, there is one thing that Mother Nature has given us which we tend to take for granted, and that is beaches.
When we head off for sun, sea and sand, how many of us are only interested in reading a book, soaking up the sun or letting the kids run wild along the beach? How many times do you ever sit back and take on the beauty you are confronted with?
You probably would if you went to one of these – here are 5 of the world’s most beautiful beaches.
Ses Salines, Ibiza
Ibiza is best known for being Europe’s premier party island, but it also has some of the continents best beaches. Despite being set within a nature reserve, Ses Salines comes with a gentle soundtrack of party tunes and as the sun starts to set, bikini-clad dancers mingle with those who’ve been sunbathing all day for a real eclectic mix of people.
Dune du Pyla, France
Dune du Pyla features Europe’s tallest sand dune, standing at over 100 meters tall. Found an hour’s drive through Bordeaux’s wine producing region, you can hike to the top of the dune to be greeted by the magnificent sight of sand as far as the eye can see and open ocean ahead. With it being west facing, it’s a beautiful spot to catch a sunset.
Chesterman Beach, Vancouver Island
When you think of the Great White North of Canada, you probably don’t imagine stunning beaches. Yet head for Vancouver Island off the west coast of British Columbia and that is exactly what you’ll find at Chesterman Beach. Craggy rocks and green pines push up to the rugged coast line and if you’re lucky and possess a decent pair of eyes, you might even spot an orca whale out beyond the breakers.
Freights Bay, Barbados
Not only is Freights Bay a stunning beach where you can sip some of the world’s best rum punch while admiring the crystal blue ocean and the golden sands, but it is also a great place for beginners to learn to surf amongst gentle waves and the laid-back atmosphere you find across the Caribbean. That whole region is of course fantastic for beaches, with Caribbeansbest.Org providing a definitive guide.
Glass Beach, California
On the surface of it, a beach full of rubbish and glass sounds like one to be avoided at all costs. Yet at Glass Beach on California’s Mendocino coast, the result is beautiful. For 60 years up until the late 1960s, the sea was a dumping ground for rubbish as glass, appliances and even old vehicles were thrown into the deep. A cleanup program has since removed all the metal and non-biodegradable rubbish while Mother Nature set to work on the glass and pottery, slowly eroding it into jewel-like, translucent stones which are washed up on the beach to create the most beautiful sight.
