A WHITE sandy beach is on most Brits’ bucket list, conjuring up images of secluded coastline in the Caribbean or South East Asia.
Something even rarer, however, are beaches with green sand – of which there are just four in the world.
AlamyGreen sand beaches exist in the world – but there are only four[/caption]
The green sand is caused by ground up olivine, which is a volcanic mineral that isn’t easily washed out to sea
It is even thought that the green sand could help countries be carbon neutral, as they suck out carbon from the atmosphere.
The four beaches can be found in all corners of the world, including Europe, the US and South America.
Here is where you can find the green-sand beaches.
Hornindalsvatnet, Norway
Closest to home is the very long-named Hornindalsvatnet in Norway, the deepest lake in Europe, with a depth of 1,686 ft.
It is also where you can find the green sand which was formed over thousands of years by green mineral deposits due to glacial movements.
While not exactly the warmest option, nor is it a beach, it is the only place in Europe you can spot the strange phenomenon.
GettyEurope’s own green sand isn’t found at a beach, but a lake[/caption]
Papakolea Beach, Hawaii
Papakolea beach on Hawaii’s Big Island is also home to green sand, which was caused by a volcanic eruption nearly 50,000 years ago.
Found at the bottom of cinder cone Puu Mahana, tourists can visit the beach as long as they are up for a three-mile hike.
Don’t try and take the sand though – fines as steep as $100,000 are given in Hawaii for anyone who is caught.
GettyHawaii’s Papakolea is the best place to see the green sand[/caption]
Punta Cormorant, Ecuador
The island of Floreana in Ecuador has its own green sand beach due to the volcanic sites of the nearby Galapagos Islands.
If you fancy visiting, a number of cruises have the island as a stopover.
You will also spot flamingos and sea lions on the island, as well as green turtle nests.
AlamyEcuador has its own green sand from the Galapagos Islands[/caption]
Talofofo Beach, Guam
The hardest green beach to spot is in Guam at Talofofo Beach, with it only showing during summer months.
When the weather isn’t so great, the green sand instead looks a murky brown.
However, head there at the right time and you can find the strangely coloured sand, while going for a surf too.
AlamyGuam’s green sand is harder to find, as it shows us seasonally[/caption]
There are also black-sand beaches, including one in Tenerife, caused by volcanic rock.
A beach in the Canary Islands even has sand which looks like popcorn, due to the shape of the coral.