The world's most unique beaches

You're never far from ice in Iceland and you'll definitely see it on Jökulsárlón Beach. Every day, chunks of ice from the Vatnajökull Glacier drift into the lagoon with pieces breaking off and joining the pebbles on the beach. It's the shape and size of these ice cubes that give the beach its nickname of “Diamond Beach”. They certainly glitter like diamonds when the sun strikes them. Another popular Icelandic beach is Vik where volcanic black sand and basalt sea stacks create its unique appearance. These are beaches for admiring rather than swimming (unless you're truly hardy)! 

The world's largest volcano, Mauna Loa, is in Hawaii and it's this that's responsible for the green colour of Papakōlea Beach. As the ocean cools the lava, semi-precious olivine crystals are formed and mix with the sand on the beach. After Mauna Loa has erupted, most of its debris gradually gets swept out to sea but the heavier bottle-green crystals are left behind. This means the beach is actually becoming greener each year. Papakōlea Beach is one of just four green beaches that exists in the world. If you want to explore the other three, they're Punta Cormorant in the Galapagos Islands, Talofofo Beach located in Guam, and Hornindalsvatnet in Norway. 

This red sand beach takes its name from the X shape of its cove in Paliki, Kefalonia. At this special place, the red sand contrasts brilliantly with the white rocks that surround it. For many centuries, people have believed that the clay of the cliffs has detoxing and healing properties so, before stretching out on the sand, rub some of the clay on your body. As well as its spa properties, this beach is family-friendly with sunbeds, watersports and beach bars. Greece boasts a similar beach in Santorini aptly named Red Beach. This is just as photogenic and heavenly. The contrast of the red cliffs and turquoise waters make for a great photo. 

Portugal's Algarve coastline has many splendid beaches but Benagil Cave is something different. You need a touch of adventure to get to this sandy beach as it's hidden inside a cave. Enter it by boat, kayak or stand up paddleboard. The limestone cliffs have eroded over thousands of years to leave a magical and mysterious grotto where the only light comes from above. Praia de Salema is another unique beach worth visiting in the Algarve. Its red and orange limestone cliffs date from the Lower Cretaceous period and at the western end of this family-friendly beach, fossilised dinosaur footprints track their way across slabs of rock. 

Found in the UNESCO Shark Bay World Heritage Site of Western Australia, Shell Beach stretches for almost 40 miles while the billions of tiny white cockle shells that cover it lie over 30 feet deep in places. The water here has a high saline content, allowing the local Shark Bay cockle to thrive. While a barefoot stroll might not be a good idea, the beach really is wonderful to look at. The water at Shell Beach is an intense green-blue colour and its high salinity makes it easy to float in (much like the Dead Sea). 

The eerie beauty of Vaadhoo Beach in the Maldives is best enjoyed once the sun has gone down. Microscopic phytoplankton are found in the sea here. To disorientate predators, they give off a bioluminescent glow that appears as a sparkling blue light. This chemical phenomenon is called the “Sea of Stars” locally and the mysterious romance of it has turned this small island into a paradise destination for honeymoons and romantic breaks. This bioluminescent wonder can also be seen elsewhere in the world such as at Indian River Lagoon in Florida.

With its mysterious and unique appearance, the Giant’s Causeway in County Antrim, Northern Ireland has been the subject of many legends over the centuries. The most enduring is that the hexagonal basalt columns (over 40,000 of them!) form part of a huge causeway built by the giant Finn MacCool to take him over to Scotland to fight an enemy. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was actually created by volcanic activity millions of years ago. While not a beach in the truest sense, it's a wonderful spot for photographers and hikers. A spectacular five-mile hike that starts at Dunseverick Castle takes you through rugged coastal scenery.