The science of ecology deals with environments and the unique wildlife that inhabits them. My “Ecological Travels” series is a survey of different ecological habitats around the world. It’s amazing how similar, for example, rivers are on different continents, even though the actual creatures that inhabit the rivers may be separate species. So this series will take a look at similar ecological zones in different tourist destinations.
The sandy beach environment offers perhaps the best recreational opportunities along the world’s many coastlines. People do not come to these places to see wildlife; they come to swim, tan, and frolic in the waves.
Sandy Beaches Around the World:
Pink Sand Beach, Bermuda — Bermuda is famous for its pink sand beaches, formed from the rocks that make up much of the island.
Pink Sand Beach, Bermuda
Cancun Beach, Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico — Cancun has become one of the world’s favorite beach resorts because of the expansive white sand beaches.
Cancun Beach, Mexico
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, California, USA — This dramatic setting along the California coast, just south of Monterey, is a lovely example of a sandy beach. The protected cove, complete with a waterfall, is one of the prettiest spots in the world.
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, California
Lumahai Beach, Kauai. Hawaii — This beach was used as a setting for scenes in the movie, South Pacific. The semi-circular beach is framed by rock jetties which harbor colorful, coral reef fish.
Lumahai Beach, Hawaii
Trunk Bay, St John, US Virgin Islands — St John is the most pristine and unspoiled of the US Virgin Islands and Trunk Bay is perhaps its most photogenic location.
Trunk Bay, USVI
Nauset Beach, Orleans, Massachusetts, USA — This beach is part of the Cape Cod National Seashore, an effort to preserve significant sections of America’s coastline to prevent over-development.
Nauset Beach, Cape Cod
Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA — This is one of the world’s most recognized and most popular beaches. The beautiful shoreline with the dramatic backdrop formed by Diamond Head crater is Honolulu’s claim to fame.
Waikiki Beach
French Riviera, Nice, France — The southern France coastline is one of Europe’s most popular vacation spots. Here the Mediterranean Sea is at its most beautiful.
French Riviera
Waianapanapa Beach, Maui, Hawaii — This black sand beach lies along the Road to Hana and is part of a state park
Waianapanapa State Park, Maui
Omaha Beach, Normandy, France — This beach is famous as one of the major landing areas during the Normandy invasion of World War II. It was here that the Allies gained a foothold in France which began the retreat and eventual defeat of Germany.
Omaha Beach, Normandy
Biscayne National Park, Miami, Florida, USA — This national park is truly an aquatic recreation area. The scene pictured here shows mangroves, a common sight along the southern Florida shoreline.
Biscayne National Park, Florida
Tel Aviv Beach, Israel — The modern city of Tel Aviv lies directly on the Mediterranean Sea. Its beaches are very popular both with local residents and with tourists.
Tel Aviv Beach, Israel
