You’ll Have To Lift Your Jaw Off The Floor
If there is one thing we can all agree to, it is that nature is beautiful. Wow! Aah! Gasp! These are some of the remarks you’ll be making when you set foot on the following surreal destinations.
Waitomo, New Zealand
This place is a subterranean galaxy where thousands of bioluminescent glowworms illuminate the cave ceilings like a starry night. These tiny creatures, Arachnocampa luminosa, emit a blue-green glow to attract prey. The caves formed over 30 million years ago, sculpted by underground rivers cutting through limestone.
Cappadocia, Turkey
Next, we have Cappadocia’s rock formations—known as “fairy chimneys”—which create a dreamscape unlike any other. Ancient civilizations hollowed out these stone towers, where they made homes, churches, and entire underground cities. Today, hot air balloons rise at dawn, painting the sky in vibrant hues over this geological wonder.
Salar De Uyuni, Bolivia
When rain kisses the world’s largest salt flat, Salar de Uyuni morphs into an endless mirror. Stretching over 4,000 square miles and formed from prehistoric lakes that evaporated over millennia, the salt crust hides a treasure trove of lithium—nearly 50% of the world’s supply.
Fairy Pools, Scotland
Here, crystal-clear waters cascade over smooth rocks to form the mesmerizing Fairy Pools of Scotland. These natural pools, fed by the Cuillin Mountains, shimmer in hues of blue and green, almost too perfect to be real. The crisp, icy water invites the bravest swimmers for an ethereal dip.
Lake Natron, Tanzania
A crimson-hued lake? There is one in northern Tanzania called Lake Natron. Its striking red color comes from algae thriving in the salty, alkaline water, which reaches a pH level as high as 12. The lake’s surface can calcify animals and preserve them in haunting stone statues.
Richard Mortel from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Wikimedia
Jukkasjarvi, Sweden
Dancing ribbons of green, purple, and pink light up the Arctic sky over this site, home to Sweden’s famous Icehotel. The aurora borealis, caused by charged particles colliding with Earth’s atmosphere, creates an otherworldly spectacle that has awed humans for centuries. The Sami once believed these lights were spirits speaking.
Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
Sixteen cascading lakes, connected by stunning waterfalls, make Plitvice Lakes National Park a fairytale. The crystal-clear waters shift between shades of turquoise and emerald, and wooden footbridges wind through the scenery. Wolves and bears roam its wild terrain, adding to the untouched beauty of this UNESCO-listed wonder.
Robert V. Ruggiero on Unsplash
Fairy Circles, Namibia
You’ll find these spots scattered across the Namib Desert, and people call them the mysterious “Fairy Circles,” which make the terrain assume a polka-dotted pattern from above. These barren, circular patches of land, surrounded by tufts of grass, stretch for miles, defying explanation. Some speculate termites are the artists.
Stephan Getzin (via Beavis729) on Wikimedia
Lake Hillier, Australia
Nature doesn’t need a filter—Lake Hillier proves it. This bubblegum-pink lake, sitting on Middle Island off Australia’s coast, remains one of science’s biggest mysteries. Unlike other pink lakes that change with the seasons, Lake Hillier retains its vibrant hue year-round, thanks to salt-loving algae and bacteria.
The Fiery Gates Of Hell, Turkmenistan
Deep in the Karakum Desert, there lives a blazing crater over 50 years old. Known as the “Door to Hell,” this fire pit was created when Soviet geologists accidentally set a natural gas field alight in 1971. They were only expecting it to burn out within days. It didn’t.
How the Soviets accidentally discovered the 'Gates of Hell' - BBC REEL by BBC Global
Vatnajokull Glacier, Iceland
Hidden beneath Iceland’s largest glacier lies a frozen cathedral of breathtaking beauty: The Vatnajokull Ice Cave. This one glows in shades of electric blue, a mesmerizing sight that makes the walls appear almost translucent. How? The ice’s compressed nature removes air bubbles, allowing only blue light to pass through.
Davide Cantelli cant89 on Wikimedia
The Floating Islands, Peru & Bolivia
On South America’s highest navigable lake, the Uros people have built floating islands entirely from totora reeds. These man-made islands, passed down for generations, remain one of the world’s most unique living environments. The catch, however, is that the reeds must be constantly replenished to keep the islands afloat.
Why you MUST visit UROS ISLANDS | LAKE TITICACA | PUNO, PERU (EP.4) by Jack Travels
Lassen Volcanic Park, USA
Like an artist’s brushstroke across the scenery, the Painted Dunes in California’s Lassen Volcanic National Park burst with red, orange, and yellow hues. These vibrant dunes owe their hues to oxidized volcanic ash scattered across the rolling hills by past eruptions. The colors swirl beautifully from an aerial view.
Moeraki Boulders, New Zealand
When you set your eyes on Moeraki Boulders on Koekohe Beach, they certainly look like remnants of a forgotten world. These giant, almost perfectly spherical stones, some as large as 7 feet in diameter, were formed over millions of years through the slow process of concretion.
Mosquito Bay, Puerto Rico
At night, the waters of Mosquito Bay in Vieques light up in a breathtaking display of blue-green bioluminescence caused by microscopic dinoflagellates emitting light when disturbed. Swimming or kayaking through the bay leaves a shimmering trail in the water as if one is moving through liquid magic.
Wulingyuan, China
These 3,000 karst formations, some reaching over 600 feet high, inspired the floating mountains in Avatar. Mist often shrouds the peaks, enhancing their otherworldly appeal. Wulingyuan’s towering sandstone pillars look like something out of a science fiction movie. This UNESCO World Heritage site is home to rare wildlife.
Abraham Lake, Canada
Every winter, Abraham Lake becomes an unearthly icy wonderland. Trapped beneath the frozen surface, thousands of white bubbles form ghostly patterns. These bubbles, made of methane gas released by decaying plants, create an eerie, almost supernatural effect. It’s like a frozen timeline upon close inspection.
Marble Caves, Chile
Deep in Chile’s General Carrera Lake, swirling blue and white rock formations rise from the water like floating sculptures. The Marble Caves, carved by thousands of years of wave erosion, reflect the lake’s brilliant turquoise hue. The colors shift with the seasons—deep sapphire in winter and lighter blue in summer.
Blood Trees Of Socotra, Yemen
Yes, the name is scary, but the site…. Jaw-dropping! Socotra Island duplicates an alien world, and its most bizarre feature is the Dragon’s Blood Tree. With an umbrella-like canopy and deep red sap that resembles bloo, this is something straight out of fantasy and found nowhere else on Earth.
Rod Waddington from Kergunyah, Australia on Wikimedia
Great Smoky Mountains, USA
For a few magical weeks in early summer, the forests of the Great Smoky Mountains light up with synchronized fireflies. Unlike regular fireflies, these rare beetles blink in perfect unison, creating waves of golden light that pulse through the trees. This natural phenomenon, bioluminescent courtship, draws thousands of visitors annually.
Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula is dotted with cenotes—sinkholes filled with crystal-clear water that reveal a vast underground river system. These caves, formed by collapsing limestone, lead to stunning submerged caverns filled with stalactites, stalagmites, and eerie blue depths. The Maya considered cenotes sacred, believing they were gateways to the underworld.
The Chocolate Hills Of Bohol, Philippines
The Chocolate Hills of Bohol are a geological mystery rising like giant mounds. It comprises over 1,200 perfectly shaped hills stretching across the terrain, turning brown during the dry season to resemble giant truffles or chocolate pieces. Legend says they formed from a heartbroken giant’s tears.
Danakil Depression, Ethiopia
When you travel to Africa, pass by the Danakil Depression in Ethiopia. This spot happens to be one of the hottest and most inhospitable places on Earth. We are talking acidic hot springs bubbles in neon green and yellow, sulfuric pools of steam, and lava lakes churning beneath the ground.
Mount Erebus, Antarctica
Mount Erebus, Antarctica’s most active volcano, is home to bizarre ice towers that stand like frozen sentinels. These towering formations were created by volcanic steam venting into sub-zero air, and they’ve continuously grown and reshaped themselves. Despite its icy appearance, the volcano itself is a fiery force.
Tulip Fields, Netherlands
Ever seen tulips in thousands in different hues? You will if you head to the Netherlands in spring. The countryside panorama turns into a vivid quilt of color—all rainbow colors. Endless rows of tulips bloom in bright red, pink, green, yellow, and purple, stretching as far and wide.
The Rainbow Mountains, Peru
Another rainbow-colored spot that mesmerizes is Vinicunca, also known as Rainbow Mountain. Unlike the tulips, this one is forever because mineral deposits formed its vibrant red, yellow, and green layers over millions of years. Hidden under ice for centuries, the colors emerged only recently due to climate change.
Zhangye Danxia, China
Guess what? Another rainbow location makes an entry. This time, a mountain range. The vibrant red, orange, yellow, and blue striations here were formed over 24 million years as mineral-rich stones were compressed into layers. The colors appear most vivid after rainfall when the minerals glisten in the sunlight.
The Underwater “Waterfall,” Mauritius
Our world seems to have gems, even underground. Take, for instance, this one that lies off the coast of Mauritius. This spot is an optical illusion that tricks the eye into seeing an underwater waterfall. In reality, it is sand and silt cascading off an ocean shelf.
Korea Aerospace Research Institute on Wikimedia
The Spotted Lake, Canada
Think we are done with polka dots, not just yet. We also have a spotted Lake in British Columbia. Every summer, the lake becomes a vast polka-dotted scenery when the water evaporates. As water disappears, the mineral-rich pools in shades of yellow, green, and blue remain, forming a mosaic.
Hardo Müller from Southampton, United Kingdom on Wikimedia
The Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland
This legendary place looks like the work of ancient architects, but it’s entirely natural. It has over 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, creating geometric stepping stones leading into the sea. According to Irish folklore, the giant Finn McCool built the causeway to fight a rival across the water.
The Sailing Stones Of Death Valley, USA
Racetrack Playa in Death Valley is home to a mystery—giant rocks that move on their own. These “sailing stones” leave long trails behind them, as if dragged by invisible hands. For years, scientists were baffled. The answer? A rare combination of ice, wind, and just the right conditions.
The Crooked Forest, Poland
Near Gryfino, Poland, a small grove of pine trees defies nature. Each tree has a 90-degree bend at its base before curving upward, creating a forest of eerie, J-shaped trunks. Yup, J for jug, and the curves are so profound you can sit on some comfortably. The reason? Unknown.
The Blood Falls, Antarctica
When you think of Antarctica, you see white, right? Here is another of nature’s “surprise, you’re wrong” sites. The Blood Falls. This crimson waterfall spills from the Taylor Glacier and the spooky “Blood Falls” isn’t blood—it’s iron-rich water that oxidizes when exposed to air, turning deep red.
The White Desert, Egypt
The White Desert, or Sahara el Beyda, mirrors a frozen vista in the scorching Egyptian desert. Unlike tan sand, you find massive chalk rock formations sculpted by wind and sand that look like giant mushrooms, animals, and even icebergs. At sunset, the formations glow orange and pink.
Vyacheslav Argenberg on Wikimedia
The Hanging Pillar Of Lepakshi, India
In the Lepakshi Temple of India, a massive stone pillar hovers just above the ground. Despite being a solid structure, it barely touches the floor. Locals believe passing objects beneath it brings good luck. Scientists suggest it’s an ancient architectural marvel, but no one fully understands how it remains suspended.
The Red Beach Of Panjin, China
For most of the year, Panjin’s coastal wetlands look ordinary. But every autumn, the scene changes into a sea of crimson. This “Red Beach” gets its color from algae that thrive in the salty soil. Remember Lake Natron? It’s the same stuff.
Kawah Ijen, Indonesia
Most lava glows red or orange, but at Kawah Ijen, it burns blue. Here’s why: The intense sulfuric gases ignite upon contact with oxygen to create an eerie neon glow. It is visible only at night, but you can only enjoy it from afar because of its toxic fumes.
CEphoto, Uwe Aranas on Wikimedia
Vaadhoo Island, Maldives
At night, the beaches of Vaadhoo Island become a glowing wonderland. The waves sparkle blue, thanks to bioluminescent plankton reacting to movement. The effect is so surreal that it bears a resemblance to stars inside the ocean’s waters. Walking along the glowing shoreline is like stepping into a fantasy world.
Sea of Stars - Vaadhoo Island, Maldives by Wonder World
The Devil’s Bridge, Germany
Rakotzbrucke, known as the Devil’s Bridge, forms a perfect circle when reflected in the water below. Built in the 19th century, its perfection is surrounded by lush forests. This stone bridge looks straight out of a dark fairy tale, and plenty of people have proposed on the bridge.
The Glass Beach, California, USA
We’ve seen red lakes, white deserts, and now a glass beach. Wow, nature never seems to disappoint because Fort Bragg’s Glass Beach was once a dumping ground for trash that became art. Over decades, the ocean smoothed the discarded glass into colorful, polished gems. It’s a literal glass beach.
Ggerdel - Foto de: Gustavo Gerdel, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Fingal’s Cave, Scotland
Fingal’s Cave looks like a giant, cathedral-like sculpture on the uninhabited Staffa island. Its walls are hexagonal basalt columns, similar to the Giant’s Causeway in Ireland. The Cave’s perfect acoustics create haunting echoes as waves crash inside, and its stunning beauty has inspired artists for centuries, including composer Felix Mendelssohn.
The Great Blue Hole, Belize
A massive underwater sinkhole, the Great Blue Hole is a perfect circle of deep blue in the middle of Belize’s turquoise waters. It mimics a portal to another world, nearly 1,000 feet across and 400 feet deep. Divers exploring its depths find ancient stalactites and weird marine life.
The TerraMar Project on Wikimedia
The Wave, Arizona, USA
Formed by currents and water erosion over millions of years, this destination is so delicate that only a limited number of visitors are allowed daily. The Wave is a sandstone formation that looks like a melted, swirling dreamscape. Its red, orange, and yellow curves ripple across the desert.
John Fowler from Placitas, NM, USA on Wikimedia
The Living Root Bridges, India
Deep in the jungles of India, bridges aren’t built—they grow. The Khasi people have trained tree roots to form natural bridges across rivers over centuries. These living structures strengthen over time, lasting for generations. Unlike man-made bridges, they blend seamlessly, making them one of Earth’s functional natural wonders.
