Nerds Republic: #beach

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What is your idea of a great beach? White powder sand, majestic coconut palm trees and warm crystal clear water all around you? Well, this is what most people would say. And that’s right, these beaches are really cool. There are plenty of locations where you can find these “tropical paradise” types of beaches – whether it is the Dominican Republic, Maldives, Thailand, Hawaii, Seychelles, Tahiti, Philippines etc. In fact, some of these beaches like the Waikiki Beach in Hawaii, Copacabana Beach in Brazil or Nai Harn Beach in Thailand, have become known and popular all over the world. But have you ever heard of the Giant Causeway Beach? No? So how about the Sopot Beach? Or the Vama Veche Beach? Actually, if these names are not familiar to you at all, you don’t need to be ashamed of your geographical knowledge. These beaches are practically unknown to public awareness as they are located in countries that few tourists pick as their summer vacation destinations. Yet, many of them are surprisingly beautiful, which is why they totally deserve our attention. From the beautiful Rhosilli Beach in Wales to the mesmerizing black-sand Vik Beach in Iceland, here are 25 Amazing Beaches From Countries You Would Never Expect.

Palanga Beach, Lithuania

Source: en.wikipedia.org, image: commons.wikimedia.org

Located in northern Europe, Lithuania is one of the Baltic States that have a reputation of cold and rainy countries. Yet, Lithuania is home to some picturesque beaches such as the sandy beach at Palanga, a busy seaside resort in the western part of country.

Giant Causeway Beach, Northern Ireland

Source and image: en.wikipedia.org

Northern Ireland is famous for its green valleys and rocky cliffs but this little country also has some astonishing beaches to offer. Located in the County Antrim, the Giant Causeway Beach is covered with unique basalt columns.

Samcheok Beach, South Korea

Source: en.wikipedia.org, image: commons.wikimedia.org

In Asia, countries like Thailand, Sri Lanka or the Philippines usually get all the attention of the beachgoers but in fact, South Korea can also boasts some brilliant beaches. Found in Gangwon Province, the Samcheok Beach, for example, looks very attractive.

Rugen Beach, Germany

Source: en.wikipedia.org, image: pixabay.com

Tourists traveling to Germany usually want to see the most famous sites of the country such as the Neuschwanstein Castle, the Cologne Cathedral, the Brandenburg Gate etc. but few visitors know Germany also has some superb beaches like those at the Rugen Island.

Jokulsarlon Beach, Iceland

Source: en.wikipedia.org, image: commons.wikimedia.org

Located near the Arctic Circle, Iceland is anything but a country where people go to spend their summer holiday. Some of this country´s beaches would leave you in a state of complete astonishment though. The Jokulsalron Ice Beach is definitely one of them.

Crimean Beach, Ukraine

Source and image: en.wikipedia.org

Ukraine is usually associated with long snowy winters and generally cold weather. While this reputation is valid in most of the country, the very southern part of Ukraine (known as Crimea) has subtropical climate and several stunning beaches, crowded with local and Russian tourists in summer.

Long Beach, Canada

Source: en.wikipedia.org, image: flickr.com

Canada is not just about ice, snow and winter sports. As surprising as it might be for you, you can also head out to a beach and enjoy some nice surfing there. Located on the west coast of the Vancouver Island, the Long Beach is one of the most popular surfing locations in the country.

Sopot Beach, Poland

Source and image: en.wikipedia.org

Poland might not be a popular summer destination but the country does have an access to the sea (the Baltic Sea) and it does have cool beaches. One of the greatest Polish beaches can be found in Sopot, a little seaside resort in northern Poland.

Diani Beach, Kenya

Source and image: en.wikipedia.org

For decades, Kenya has been mostly known for its safari tours and national parks but this exotic African country can also offer some breathtaking beaches and seaside resorts. Located just 30 km (19 mi) from Mombasa, the Diani Beach is a great spot for diving and snorkeling.

La Serena Beach, Chile

Source: en.wikipedia.org, image: commons.wikimedia.org

In South America, Brazil is by far the most popular beach destination but Chile can also boast some nice seaside spots. One of the greatest Chilean beaches is the one in La Serena, a coastal city in northern Chile that is home to almost 200,000 people.

Porthcurno Beach, England

Source: en.wikipedia.org, image: commons.wikimedia.org

England is packed with tourists all year round but few of them know this country also has some amazing beaches to get some tan (if the sun happens to shine). Found on the south coast of Cornwall, the Porthcurno Beach known for its fine white sand is one of most beautiful beaches in the country.

Yyteri Beach, Finland

Source: en.wikipedia.org, image: flickr.com

Yes, even Finland, a cold Northern European country famous as Santa Claus´s home, has a spot where beachgoers can enjoy some fun. Notable for its distinctive sand dunes, the Yyteri Beach is the longest beach in Finland and of all Nordic countries.

Rhosilli Beach, Wales

Source: en.wikipedia.org, image: flickr.com

If you thought Wales is just about astonishing medieval castles, you probably haven’t heard of any of local beaches such as the one in Rhossilli, a little coastal village in south Wales. Covered with golden sand, the beach is popular with surfers, walkers and gliders.

Vik Beach, Iceland

Source: en.wikipedia.org, image: commons.wikimedia.org

Another Icelandic beach on the list, the Vik Beach found in the southernmost village of the country is one of the most fascinating beaches in the world. Covered with black sand and surrounded by breathtaking rock formations, the beach is definitely a must-see thing while in Iceland.

Vama Veche Beach, Romania

Source and image: en.wikipedia.org

While you might know Romania has some renowned ski resorts and many popular tourist attractions such as the Dracula Castle, you probably never knew this southeastern European country offers amazing beaches like the Vama Veche Beach found on the Black Sea coast.

Scheveningen Beach, Netherlands

Source: en.wikipedia.org, image: commons.wikimedia.org

On your next visit to the Netherlands, make sure to visit one of local beaches such as the one in Scheveningen. A popular spot for windsurfing and kiteboarding, the Scheveningen Beach is a long sandy beach in a modern seaside resort near the city of Hague.

Jurmala Beach, Latvia

Source: en.wikipedia.org, image: commons.wikimedia.org

The capital of Latvia, Riga has a continuous snow cover for up to 80 days a year, making it one of the coldest and snowiest cities in Europe. Yet, just a short train ride from the city, there is the superb Jurmala Beach where crowds of people gather in the summer to catch some sun rays.

Cox´s Bazar Beach, Bangladesh

Source: en.wikipedia.org, image: commons.wikimedia.org

A little but densely populated country wedged between India and Myanmar, Bangladesh doesn’t rank among top Asian summer destinations. Yet, several beautiful beaches can be found in this country, including the Cox´s Bazar Beach, the longest unbroken sand beach in the world.

Aharen Beach, Japan

Source and image: en.wikipedia.org

Japan, a leading Asian country famous for its majestic skyscrapers, cutting-edge technologies and super-modern scientific centers, also boasts beautiful nature including some stunning beaches. Located at the Tokashiki Island, the Aharen Beach, for example, looks like a real tropical paradise.

Sandwood Bay Beach, Scotland

Source and image: en.wikipedia.org

If you are lucky enough to be in Scotland on a sunny day, head out to the Sandwood Bay in the north of the country to see the beautiful local beach. With no road access, the beach can be only reached by a 4 mi (6.4 km) path leading from the car park at the hamlet of Blairmore.

Frederickshavn Beach, Denmark

Source and image: en.wikipedia.org

Resembling a beach typical for some of Europe´s traditional summer destinations like Italy, Spain or Greece, the Frederickshavn Beach is actually located in northern Denmark, a thousands of kilometers from the sunny Mediterranean. The palms are out just in summer though, they would freeze in most part of the year.

Wimbe Beach, Mozambique

Source: en.wikipedia.org, image: commons.wikimedia.org

Unlike its neighbors South Africa and Madagascar, Mozambique can hardly be regarded a popular summer African destination. Yet, this poor and greatly undeveloped country can offer numerous picturesque beaches such as the Wimbe Beach in Pemba, northern Mozambique.

Utakleiv Beach, Norway

Source: en.wikipedia.org, image: commons.wikimedia.org

As surprising as it is, Norway, a country where Northern Lights and polar bears can be observed, is also home to some spectacular beaches. Situated in the Nordland County, the Utakleiv Beach is considered one of the most romantic beaches in Europe.

Manora Beach, Pakistan

Source and image: en.wikipedia.org

While India has already become a beachgoers hot spot, Pakistan, another major country of the region, receives a way less tourists in summer. However, Pakistan can also provide its visitors with some nice and clean beaches. Located on the Arab Sea coast, the Manora Beach is one of the most popular beaches of the country.

De Haan Beach, Belgium

Source: en.wikipedia.org, image: commons.wikimedia.org

Situated in the Belgian province of West Flanders, De Haan is a little coastal municipality where Albert Einstein lived in 1933. Except for that, the town also boasts some of the best beaches in the country. Easily reachable from Bruges, the De Haan Beach is a popular picnic spot for the locals.

Taking photos at sunset is nothing new. After all, with all the gorgeous colors and textures in the sky, it’s the perfect backdrop for any picture. The only thing you have to worry about getting lost in the back light.

But if you’re John Marshall, back light is your best friend. Marshall, a TV producer and author, was living alone on an island in Maine for 30 days. He decided to use his free time to start a project, and to do so, all he needed was some cardboard and a few beautiful Maine sunsets.

Mars House of Pizza

John Marshall

“When Mars House of Pizza says ‘WE DELIVER ANYWHERE,’ they mean it.”

Marshall made three rules for himself when he started this undertaking:

He couldn’t have help, and had only the 10 seconds of the camera’s self-timer to compose the shot.

He could only make props from materials found in his cabin.

He could only use tools available in the cabin to do so.

So nothing fancy ever came anywhere near this project. He found reference material on the Internet, and then he simply cut out some shapes and headed to the beach. We’ve included Marshall’s own captions under each photo, because he’s funnier than we are.

The Chameleon

John Marshall

“While I was watching the sunset tonight, I couldn’t stop blinking. ‘Hey. Do I have something in my eye?’ I asked Keith, my chameleon friend. ‘Yeah,’ Keith said. ‘It’s a bug.’ ‘Can you get it out?’ I asked.”

The Flamingo

John Marshall

“‘In the yoga world, we call this the Standing Tree Pose,’ I said. ‘Oh, in the flamingo world, we call this standing,’ the flamingo replied.”

The Frog Date

John Marshall

“I was about to tell the waiter about the big fly in my soup when my date cleared her throat. ‘Are you gonna eat that?’ she asked.”

The Gorilla

John Marshall

“Today, I was enjoying a sunset banana down by the lake when the most amazing thing happened. All of a sudden, this warm breeze started blowing across my neck, and it smelled just like bananas, too.”

The Grizzly Bear

John Marshall

“When the grizzly bear said he had a frog in his throat, I didn’t know I’d need to reach in and rescue it.”

The Kayak Horse

John Marshall

“For anyone who has ever wondered if their horse would make a good kayak partner…I wouldn’t count on it. Mine didn’t pick up his paddle once.”

The Mermaid

John Marshall

“When I finally got up the nerve to approach the beautiful mermaid down on the beach, a friend suggested I bring her a bouquet of roses. But I had a better idea.”

The Ring Toss

John Marshall

“I can’t think of a better way to wind down at the end of the day than with a little Rhino Ring Toss. For anyone interested, all you need is a rhinoceros and a ring, and you’re good to go.”

The Shark

John Marshall

“Enough with the begging. This is why you do not feed pets at the table.”

Troll Haircut

John Marshall

“The problem with Troll Haircut Day is the brutal monotony of it all. ‘Tapered to a point?’ I asked for the 74th time.”

And here’s the reverse angle!

John Marshall

Not as epic, but totally adorable.

(via BoredPanda)

You can see many more of Marshall’s images on his website, along with some of his other creative endeavors.They’re also on Facebook, Instagram, and Tumblr.

But Marshall does more than take hilarious shadow pictures. He’s also the author of a new book, Wide-Open World, which tells of his family’s adventures as they travel the world volunteering. You can purchase it on his website, too.

For many people, summers are spent building forts and castles on the shores of oceans and lakes, or burying a patient parent up to the neck. And then there are the true sand artists, who create soaring, monumental sculptures out of the famously ephemeral substance. They work for hours creating detailed pieces with the full knowledge that they will, in a short time, crumble back into the natural shoreline. One such artist is Carl Jara, who has been creating these sculptures for 20 years, and loves every moment of it.

Hailing from Cleveland, Jara creates massive sand sculptures in his spare time.

Flickr / Carl (Carl Jara)

He travels to shorelines across the country and participates in competitions and exhibits with other sand artists.

Flickr / Carl (Carl Jara)

Flickr / Carl (Carl Jara)

Here, you can see how Jara uses the natural texture of sand in contrast with smoothed planes to make his sculptures all the more striking.

Flickr / Carl (Carl Jara)

His attention to texture is incredible.

Flickr / Carl (Carl Jara)

His ability to create stability and balance out of nothing but sand is pretty impressive, too.

Flickr / Carl (Carl Jara)

Flickr / Carl (Carl Jara)

Flickr / Carl (Carl Jara)

Flickr / Carl (Carl Jara)

(via Ufunk)

Be sure to check out Jara’s Flickr page, where you can see more of his sculptures, as well as the sculptures of his fellow sand artists, who are also all insanely talented.

Wave runners are summertime staples for anyone who lives or vacations near the water. They’re fun, you can rent them almost anywhere, and as long as you have a driver’s license, they’re pretty easy to operate.

But because they’re so easy to ride around, people often find themselves feeling courageous. When that happens, things can get bad quickly. That’s exactly what these people learned on a recent vacation.

Source: Scary jet ski near-crash in Cancun, Mexico by elbuby on Rumble

Now that was a close call. Had it not been for the quick reaction of the other driver, this would have ended tragically. There’s nothing wrong with seeking a few thrills, but safety should always come first!

Many of us spend our days cooped up in an office just dreaming about the opportunity to spend a relaxing day at the beach. Sand between your toes, maybe a colorful cocktail, and the sound of the waves crashing all your worries away.

Unless you’re this silly mastiff pup, that is. The seven-month-old turns into a big baby when he sees the waves on his first-ever beach visit.

I’m sure the brave guy will be doggy paddling his way through the waves soon enough…as soon as they invent arm floaties for pups.

No one likes to be told how to have fun, and this dog is no different. All he wanted to do was play in the sun with his humans, but he couldn’t help but be bothered by one sign that was really putting a damper on his day.

That’s when he decided to take matters into his own paws.

We’re pretty sure that’s not a long-term solution, but for now, this pup is a seaside hero.

When you’re walking along the beach, you’re bound to bump into some sand castles. It’s simply part of the beach-going experience! What you probably don’t see, however, are these exquisite sand sculptures. If you do manage to see one of this sculptor’s pieces on the beaches of Hawaii, consider yourself lucky. You’re not only witnessing a professional artist’s work, but also a project that won’t last until the end of the day.

Calvin Seibert creates these geometric sand castles, drawing inspiration from architects like Frank Gehry and the Bauhaus movement.

Flickr / Calvin Seibert

We’re not quite sure how Seibert manages to get such control over a material like sand, but by his own admission, each castle is “a bit of a test.”

Flickr / Calvin Seibert

He doesn’t start out with a fully formed idea, but rather makes general forms and shapes. He then refines them as he goes, creating a spontaneous sculpture that will never be duplicated.

They look at once like futuristic alien cities and ancient ruins.

Flickr / Calvin Seibert

They don’t just have to look like castles. “In my mind, they are always mash-ups of influences and ideas,” Seibert says. “I see a castle, a fishing village, a modernist sculpture, [and] a stage set for the Oscars all at once.” He also says that the most successful sculptures are the ones that take on an organic shape and could potentially keep going. “I am always adding just one more bit, and if time allowed I wouldn’t stop,” he says.

Flickr / Calvin Seibert

With no set idea, Seibert lets his sculptures take their own forms.

Flickr / Calvin Seibert

Of course, time doesn’t allow Seibert to just keep going. Building on the beach has its own set of challenges. “Nature will always be against you and time is always running out,” he says. “Having to think fast and to bring it all together in the end is what I like about [building sand castles].”

As you might expect, these sand castles don’t last very long.

Flickr / Calvin Seibert

They’re eventually destroyed by the wind and the tide. One castle was even flattened by a group of rambunctious kids, but it was all in good fun and Seibert captured it on film.

Even though they won’t last, the sand castles can get really complex.

Flickr / Calvin Seibert

Flickr / Calvin Seibert

(via Colossal)

In all, Seibert spent 30 days on the beaches of Hawaii creating these sculptures, and while they no longer exist, we’re happy that they were at least immortalized on camera. There are many more of these sculptures that you can see in Seibert’s Flickr album. And the next time you’re on the beach, see if you can make a geometric sand castle yourself!

Palanga Beach, Lithuania

Giant Causeway Beach, Northern Ireland

Samcheok Beach, South Korea

Rugen Beach, Germany

Jokulsarlon Beach, Iceland

Crimean Beach, Ukraine

Long Beach, Canada

Sopot Beach, Poland

Diani Beach, Kenya

La Serena Beach, Chile

Porthcurno Beach, England

Yyteri Beach, Finland

Rhosilli Beach, Wales

Vik Beach, Iceland

Vama Veche Beach, Romania

Scheveningen Beach, Netherlands

Jurmala Beach, Latvia

Cox´s Bazar Beach, Bangladesh

Aharen Beach, Japan

Sandwood Bay Beach, Scotland

Frederickshavn Beach, Denmark

Wimbe Beach, Mozambique

Utakleiv Beach, Norway

Manora Beach, Pakistan

De Haan Beach, Belgium

Mars House of Pizza

The Chameleon

The Flamingo

The Frog Date

The Gorilla

The Grizzly Bear

The Kayak Horse

The Mermaid

The Ring Toss

The Shark

Troll Haircut

And here’s the reverse angle!

Hailing from Cleveland, Jara creates massive sand sculptures in his spare time.

He travels to shorelines across the country and participates in competitions and exhibits with other sand artists.

Here, you can see how Jara uses the natural texture of sand in contrast with smoothed planes to make his sculptures all the more striking.

His attention to texture is incredible.

His ability to create stability and balance out of nothing but sand is pretty impressive, too.

Calvin Seibert creates these geometric sand castles, drawing inspiration from architects like Frank Gehry and the Bauhaus movement.

We’re not quite sure how Seibert manages to get such control over a material like sand, but by his own admission, each castle is “a bit of a test.”

They look at once like futuristic alien cities and ancient ruins.

With no set idea, Seibert lets his sculptures take their own forms.

As you might expect, these sand castles don’t last very long.

Even though they won’t last, the sand castles can get really complex.

Sand is perfect for ephemeral art. See what these other artists have created with it:

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