The world's most beautiful natural wonders

From Hawaii's Na Pali Coast to the Verdon Gorge in southeastern France, there are incredible places all over the planet

The Salar de Uyuni salt flats cover 4,050 square miles of the Bolivian Altiplano (AFP/Getty Images)

Natural wonders come in all shapes and sizes. From Hawaii’s Na Pali Coast to the Verdon Gorge in southeastern France, there are incredible places all over the planet.

Here are 30 of the most beautiful natural wonders on Earth.

The Dead Sea, Israel and Jordan

The Dead Sea, Israel (www.elonatheexplorer.com)

Sitting at 1,410 feet below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest body of water on Earth’s surface. Located in a desert and featuring a high concentration of salt, it’s the perfect spot for floating.

The water is beautiful enough on its own, but the deposits and columns of salt that rise out of the water give it a unique, otherworldly look.

Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

When lakes near these Bolivian salt flats overflow, they create a majestic mirrored surface that reflects the sky and clouds above. The Salar de Uyuni are the largest of their kind and cover 4,050 square miles of the Bolivian Altiplano.

The vast oasis of salt boasts a horizon that never seems to end, making this spot a photographer’s dream.

Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park, Gansu, China

Danxia refers to a special type of landscape found in southwestern China. The colourful, striped mountains are made up of layers of minerals and rock, which were disrupted when tectonic plates caused the island that is now India to collide with the rest of the Eurasia continent.

Now a protected Unesco World Heritage Site, the once little-known wonder is a popular tourist draw.

Geiranger Fjord, Møre og Romsdal County, Norway

A fjord is best described as an underwater valley. Formed by glaciers, these long and narrow waterways are deep and surrounded by steep mountains on all sides. The Geiranger Fjord is one of Norway’s most famous, and is also a Unesco World Heritage site.

Go in the warmer months to see lush greenery offset by deep blue waters.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Tegalalang and Ubud, Indonesia

Indonesia is known for its terraced rice fields – and Tegalalang is one of the most well-known. Entering the vibrant green landscape with its towering palm trees will make you feel like time has stopped. And there’s some truth to that feeling. Farmers here use an irrigation system that’s been passed down for centuries.

Reynisfjara Beach, Vik, Iceland

You probably won’t want to sunbathe on Reynisfjara, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth a visit. The stunning beach looks otherworldly thanks to its black sand, basalt stone columns, and the fog that sometimes envelops it. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.

The Cliffs of Moher, County Clare, Ireland

One of Ireland’s most-visited natural attractions, the Cliffs of Moher stretch along the country’s west coast for five majestic miles. The rugged cliffs offer unparalleled views of the ocean below.

The Grand Canyon, Arizona, United States

A general view of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona (Getty) (RHONA WISE/AFP/Getty Images)

The Grand Canyon is Arizona’s best-known natural beauty, and for good reason: between its immense size and breathtaking views, this natural phenomenon is a must-see.

The canyon stretches for 277 river miles and spans 18 miles from side to side. While the South Rim is open all year round, the North Rim is open to visitors on a more seasonal basis.

Monteverde Cloud Forest, Monte Verde, Costa Rica

Because it’s a rainforest, the weather might not always be ideal at Monteverde, but the fact is it will feel and look like a jungle paradise no matter if it’s misty or not.

Even better, this biological reserve is known to be home to a multitude of species. In fact, it’s one of only a few places around the world that boasts all six species of the cat family.

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

Ha Long Bay’s natural beauty makes it one of Vietnam’s number one tourist sites. The bay is also a Unesco World Heritage site.

The best way to see Ha Long’s awe-inspiring limestone towers is by boat. In fact, many tourists stay overnight on a boat in the bay.

Na Pali Coast, Hawaii, United States

The huge green cliffs and valleys of the Na Pali coast

Between the colourful cliffs and the azure blue waters below, Hawaii’s Na Pali Coast is sure to wow any visitor. Hiking the cliffs will afford you 4,000-foot-high views of the Pacific Ocean and Kalalau Valley, as well as plenty of beautiful waterfalls along the way.

Skógafoss, Skógar, Iceland

Skógafoss flows from not one, but two glaciers (Eyjafjallajokull and Myrdalsjokull). According to legend, a viking named Thrasi hid his chest of gold under this stunning waterfall.

Gold or not, the heavy amount of spray that the waterfall produces makes a sunny-day rainbow sighting here very likely.

White Sands National Monument, New Mexico

The largest gypsum deposit in the world, White Sands National Monument is a serene expanse of glittering, white sand that’s located in the Chihuahuan Desert.

The gypsum that forms these gently sloping dunes comes from a nearby ephemeral lake that has a high mineral content. As the water from this lake evaporates, minerals remain, which then form gypsum deposits that are carried by the wind.

Bioluminescent Beaches, Maldives

To experience the Maldives’ magical glowing beaches, you can visit any of the 1,190 islands that comprise the South Asian sovereign state. Some of the top spots to see this natural light show – the result of bioluminescent plankton – include Athuruga, Reethi, and Mirihi.

Marble Caves, Chile

Located in Patagonia on Lake General Carrera, Chile’s Marble Caves (also known as the Marble Cathedral) were created more than 6,000 years ago by waves that eroded the rocks. The caverns’ stunning colours vary as water levels fluctuate throughout the year.

Verdon Gorge, France

The Verdon Gorge’s blue-green waters are a picturesque setting for activities ranging from swimming to kayaking.

Mono Lake, California, United States

Mono Lake (ALAMY)

Mono Lake, which spans 65 square miles, is known for eye-catching, calcium-carbonite structures known as tufa towers. With a high salt content, this ethereal lake is also extremely buoyant.

El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico

Situated outside of San Juan, El Yunque National Forest earns the distinction of being the sole tropical rainforest in the US National Forest System.

Fairy Pools, Isle of Skye, Scotland

Isle of Skye, Scotland (Rex)

Skye’s enchanting Fairy Pools are only accessible on foot via the Glen Brittle forest – but it’s worth the hike to see the clear waters of these natural pools in person.

Beach of the Cathedrals, Galicia, Spain

You’ll do a double take when you see the rocky arches at the Beach of the Cathedrals: these incredible buttress-like formations were shaped solely by nature.

Milford Sound, New Zealand

Created by glaciers during the ice age, this fjord – located off the coast of New Zealand’s South Island – is renowned for its dynamic scenery, from waterfalls to soaring mountain peaks.

Jeju Island, South Korea

Jeju Island boasts South Korea’s highest mountain, Hallasan, a dormant volcano that towers nearly 6,400 feet above sea level.

The island is also known for its spectacular lava tubes (caves formed by cooling lava).

Mt Erebus, Antarctica

Mount Erebus (Getty) (AFP/Getty Images)

It may seem hard to believe, but there are volcanoes in the arctic. Mount Erebus, the world’s southernmost active volcano, dates back 1.3 million years and stands at 12,448 feet above sea level.

Kjeragbolten, Norway

Kjeragbolten is a 177-cubic-foot boulder nestled in a mountain crevice. It’s surprisingly accessible (you don’t need special equipment to reach it), which makes it a popular photo op for adventurous Instagrammers.

Iguazu Falls, Argentina and Brazil

Spanning Argentina and Brazil, the Iguazu Falls are part of a massive waterfall system that totals around 275 waterfalls.

Tianmen Cave, Zhangjiajie, China

Situated 5,000 feet above sea level, Tianmen Cave is one of the highest naturally formed arches on the planet. Visitors have to mount a 999-step “stairway to heaven” to reach the site.

Masazir Lake, Azerbaijan

Masazir Lake is not far from Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. This pink saline lake gets its colour – which is strongest in the summer – from microorganisms called halophiles.

Harbour Islands, Bahamas

Known mostly for its pink sand beaches, Harbour Island remains mostly untouched by humans, at least compared to the rest of the Bahamas.

The island’s other draws include Devil’s Backbone, a coral reef filled with marine life, and Dunmore Town, whose pastel-coloured homes will charm any visitor.

The Blyde River Canyon, South Africa

For gorgeous natural views, go for a hike along the Blyde River Canyon, which sits at an elevation of more than 2,600 feet. This canyon, known for its unique geology – including the Pinnacle, a looming quartzite column – also boasts diverse flora and fauna.

Garni Gorge, Armenia

The Garni Gorge is characterised by vertical cliffs notable for their basalt columns. You can only reach the site by car.

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