The Most Incredible Beaches In the World

This stunning beach trades sand for a smooth, white, erosion-terraced cliff face. 

Formally known as Motukiekie Beach, at low tide this rocky spot boasts dramatic tidal pools and starfish as far as the eye can see. 

This pristine two-mile-long sand bar offers warm, shallow waters and endless electric-blue views. (P.S. It's near David Copperfield's private island.)

Aptly translating to "Coral Strand" in English, this fascinating stretch of Irish coast is comprised of fine—and extremely rare—coralline algae. 

Vibrant rainbow-colored sand dunes hug the beaches of this gorgeous coastal town. 

Years of pounding surf and many clean-up efforts have turned this former dumping ground into a magical seaglass mecca.

The "sand" at this beach looks like tiny, beautiful stars. But those stars are actually exoskeletons of marine protozoans dating back 550 million years. 

The dreamy, powder pink beaches of Harbour Island are the result of microscopic rose-hued animals that wash ashore from the surrounding reefs and ocean floor. 

This striking, ink-black beach is the product of lava flowing into the ocean and then exploding as it cools. Terrifying? Yes. But also insanely awesome.