Not to be confused with Ramla Bay in Malta, it’s Malta’s sister island in Gozo, which is home to Ramla Bay, popular for its glowing red-orange coloured sand. The best way to reach Ramla Bay is via Nadhur’s main road. Although this is the largest and most popular beach in Gozo and is frequented by Gozitans & tourists alike, it is never overcrowded, even in high season. Take a walk up to the purpose-built viewing gallery, close to Calypso Cave, and take in the impressive views all in one location.

Papakōlea Beach is located at the south point of Hawaii’s Big Island and is enclosed in a cinder cone of the Mauna Loa volcano. Also known as Mahana Beach and The Green Sand Beach, there is only one way to reach the rich green sands, and that is via a somewhat rugged trek. However, the sight before you makes it worth your while. The locals commonly refer to this unique sand as “Hawaiian Diamond” and on close inspection, it is easy to see why.

Balos Beach sits on the northwestern side of Crete. Completely secluded, it has soft sand and cerulean water and has retained its pristine beauty, despite being popular. The sand here differs slightly depending on where you are on the beach. Complemented by the azure waters, the sand can be almost pure white in places and delectable pink in others. The pink sand is merely due to thousands upon thousands of crushed seashells.

The Red Beach is located very near the Akrotiri ancient site. If you plan on visiting the island during summer, be aware of the fact that the island gets easily crowded given the size of the beach. But if you do not mind lying on a tower next to a stranger, then you will surely have a blast. If not, try to visit the island outside the peak period. The pebbly sand makes it not the most comfortable of beaches but being surrounded by deep red cliffs makes the short hike to reach the beach worth it.

This has to be visited to be believed. White sandy beaches with bright aqua water. Hyams Beach is said to have the whitest sands in the world and is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records to prove it. Nothing short of a paradise for relaxing and enjoying the clear waters. A perfect place to be at one with nature where visitors can enjoy a spot of whale-watching from the sands or visit the Booderee National Park that surrounds the beach itself.

The unusual black sand throughout the beach is enclosed by natural formations of basalt rock columns, towering cliffs, caves and volcanic structures. The black sand derives from volcanic lava hitting the surrounding cold Atlantic ocean and instantly cooling to form what is today known as the black sand. Rather than fine, the sand here has a coarse and pebbly consistency, not too unlike gravel and making Reynisfjara Beach more of a sight-seeing place rather than a sunbathing one.

Fort Bragg, CA, is home to the unique and beautiful Glass Beach. This spot was once a dumping ground for local residents to throw various discarded objects. The space was later closed to the public for cleanup in 1967, and over time the waves smoothed out the discarded objects until they became the tiny, colourful knick-knacks that they are today.