Most of us tend to assume that the sand on most beaches comes in bright shades of light or dark yellow. However, not all beaches share the same properties and these red beaches will have you rubbing your eyes and looking twice because of their unusual color scheme.
But why red? The truth is that the red sand is thought to have originated from high iron content that may be found close-by. This occurred when volcanic activity from long ago brought minerals in the form of lava to the Earth’s surface, thus depositing the iron and the red rock. These strikingly red beaches are a must for your next vacation!
Kaihalulu Beach in Hawaii
Hawaii is an area that is known for its high concentration of volcanoes and volcanic activity is still common – and dangerous, to this day. However, making the journey to the remote beach of Maui’s Kaihalulu Beach is definitely worth it as the rich, red sand is contrasted beautifully with the azure skies and turquoise seas.
Porto Covo Beach in Portugal
When we think of Portugal, we think of Lisbon and late night parties. However, for those more inclined for adventures on their holiday, visiting the beach of Porto Covo will reveal one of the most majestic sites ever. The sand here has a distinctly reddish color and in good weather, it’s definitely a great place to unwind.
Rabida Island in Ecuador
The Galápagos Islands are a well-known destination for travelers looking for an exotic island vacation. However, if you’re able to stop at Rabida Island, you’ll be lucky enough to glimpse some of some of the exotic red sand left by the volcanic activity on the island from hundreds if not thousands of years ago. It literally looks like the sea is bleeding here!
Porto Ferro in Italy
This beach is one of the few that was actually named after it’s high iron content. ‘Ferro’ in Italian, means “iron” and the port was aptly given this name due to the large formations of high-iron containing rocks and limestone sand found on the beaches in the area.