When the sun is out, the weather is just right, and the ocean’s bright blue waves are calling, there’s only one place to spend the day - at the beach!
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However, not all beaches look the same. There are several unusual ones around the world that draw visitors for reasons other than the sun and surf.
The Beach of the Cathedrals in Spain, for one, is exactly as it sounds. Right by the water in the north of the country are a series of impressive caves and rock arches up to 30 metres high, which formed over centuries due to pounding water, wind and weather. When viewed together, the geological formations resemble the architectural elements of a cathedral. According to Spain’s official tourism website, during high tide, water fills the crevices and caves, emitting a babbling and whistling sound that adds to the enchanting atmosphere of the beach.
Next, if you’re used to brown sandy beaches, you will have to adjust your expectations at Papakōlea Beach, Hawaii, where the sand is green in colour. The unexpected hue is because the grains of sand are actually small olivine crystals that formed when the Mauna Loa volcano erupted, about 49,000 years ago. The olivine crystal is known locally as the 'Hawaiian diamond' and is tougher and denser than ash – in fact, it looks like green glass.
And if you love looking for shells by the seashore, Shell Beach in Shark Bay, Australia is the place to be. The snow-white beach has no sand. Instead, it is made up of billions of tiny shells, up to 10 metres deep and extending for over 70 kilometres. In the early 20th century, the shells were quarried, cut into blocks and used to construct several historic buildings that are still there today in the nearby town of Denham.
Have you ever visited an unusual beach? Play today’s Word Search and let us know at games@gulfnews.com.
