Top 10 Underrated Natural Wonders in the World

#10: Laguna Colorada[a]

Bolivia
No stranger to amazing sights, Bolivia is home to the stunning Uyuni salt flat (xref). But only a short distance away is this scarlet beauty. Thanks to an abundance of sediment and algae, Laguna Colorada mutates into a variety of hues though none are more striking than its searing crimson. The view is so divine that a myth claimed the water was the blood of gods. But alongside its surreal quality, the area is also a bastion for the natural world. The surrounding reserve provides a habitat for several species of animals. Its most notable residents are three of the six species of flamingos. Drawn by the lagoons supply of plankton, they are a fitting addition to a colorful dream.

#9: Socotra[b]

Yemen
Known as the Galapagos of the Indian Ocean, this island is a haven of biodiversity. Large percentages of its flora and fauna are endemic. This means they cant be found anywhere else on the planet! Perhaps most famous is the dragon blood tree. With a peculiar shape and sprawling build, its image is simply incredible. But even more novel than its branches is the bold red sap found inside of them. Historically, the bloodlike resin has been used for many purposes, including as medicine. One interpretation of the name Socotra links it to a term meaning island of bliss. And that might just be the case!

#8: Perito Moreno Glacier[c]

Argentina
Sometimes, the scale of the world is difficult to imagine. But wed bet standing at the feet of this jaw-dropper is a good reminder. One of Patagonias quintessential sites, Perito Moreno is a straight-up behemoth. Its surrounding ice field is the third-biggest freshwater reserve on the planet! The glacier itself is an anomaly in that its regularly advancing. With that movement, massive slabs of ice splinter off and plummet into the water as icebergs. These fractures cause booming roars and violent scenes that visitors cannot get enough of. Since Perito Moreno rarely retreats, its spectacle is relentless.

#7: Spotted Lake

Canada
Folks with trypophobia[d], this is your warning to look away! To those staying, good luck taking your eyes off of the curiosity that is Spotted Lake. In colder months, it might look totally normal. As water evaporates, though, its surface fragments into scores of whimsical pools. These large dots are dense in brine and minerals. And their levels decide what tint its radiant complexion will take on next. Theres been word that the lake was even more vivid before World War I, when its minerals were used for ammunition. In 2001, the land containing Spotted Lake was purchased for the Syilx First Nation of the Okanagan Valley, for whom it was (and stays) sacred.

#6: Sossusvlei[e]

Namibia
Say what you will, Paul Atreides! Arrakis has got nothing on this sweeping desert wonderland. Encompassing part of the Namib, the worlds oldest desert, Sossusvlei is an unforgettable sight. Its a salt and clay pan of expansive and stark beauty. Nearby is Deadvlei[f], another pan with cinematic quality. Dark husks of dead yet undecayed trees poke out of the bright ivory ground. Originally an oasis, Deadvlei lost access to water and its trees have remained for centuries. Both pans are nestled in amongst towering red dunes that reach towards oblivion. Visitors can scale their imposing heights and look out upon this collection of staggering landmarks.

#5: Aurora Australis[g]

Southern Hemisphere
By virtue of a much more famous sibling, these Southern Lights are unfairly overlooked. The Aurora Borealis of the Northern Hemisphere wins in name recognition. But that wont be the focus today! Auroras are caused by the interaction of particles and gases in a solar wind. The results are a dazzling cosmic display. And while they are more accessible in places like Scandinavia and Canada, the Aurora Australis also deserves some shine. Its a vibrant and gorgeous vista all its own. Regions in Oceania, Antarctica, and South America can certainly vouch for that!

#4: Tsingy de Bemaraha [h]National Park

Madagascar
Forget concrete jungles, what we have here is a limestone mecca. Formed by good ol erosion, this nest of jagged ore reminds us of a quiver of arrows. The formation feels almost alien, yet tangibly of-the-earth. Its a daunting and oddly startling sight. But with that unease comes an undeniable wonder. The word tsingy in Malagasy can be translated in English as where one cannot walk barefoot. Luckily, the areas steep valleys and caverns are much friendlier to other forms of life. In fact, its environment is so strange that it provides a number of unique habitats. This versatility has led to a thriving ecosystem, proving thatdespite first impressionsnature finds a way.

#3: Reynisfjara[i] Beach

Iceland
Named one of the planets 21 best beaches by National Geographic, this gothic shoreline is a knockout. Plenty of its chilling features originate from ancient volcanic activity. This includes its obsidian-like sand and inky hexagonal columns. But perhaps the most palatial feature of them all are the sea stacks known as Reynisdrangar. Borne out of quickly cooled lava, these basalt columns have been sculpted by time and the elements. As a whole, the site is outright awe-inspiring. Its a colossal space with immense aura. And at times, it even poses literal danger. This is due to the risk of sneaker waves, which arrive suddenly with surprising size, power, and speed. As such, visitors to Reynisfjara are encouraged to stay safe while enjoying the dusky coast.

#2: Trolltunga[j]

Norway
Presiding over a view straight out of a desktop wallpaper is this lithic[k] miracle. Its narrow cliff juts out so perfectly that it seems designed. Rather, the area arose out of the last Ice Age! The movement and melting of glaciers etched the landscape, giving us its unparalleled majesty. In Norwegian, trolltunga means the trolls tongue. One account for this moniker is a folktale about a troll who was petrified by the sun. Luckily, modern day visitors no longer have that to worry about. Instead, theyre faced with a demanding hike that taxes even the best climbers. Still, Trolltunga has become a national treasure, with tourism booming in the 2010s. With just one glance at its beauty, we dont need to ask why.

#1: Lençóis Maranhenses[l] National Park

Brazil
Sometimes, words dont feel like enough to describe just how breathtaking something is. And thats our exact dilemma when it comes to this vision of paradise. Defined by cascading sand dunes, its nothing short of magnificent. But it becomes even more otherworldly when rainfall creates a sea of freshwater lagoons. Each of these pristine pools are madly enticing and simply beckon for a swim. Altogether, the area is a fantasy that (typically) could only be imagined. Unsurprisingly, it has become globally renowned. In 2024, Lençóis Maranhenses National Park became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.


Which natural wonders have made your dream vacation list? Let us know in the comments!

[a]coh-loh-RADDA https://forvo.com/word/laguna_colorada/#es

[b]suh-COH-truh https://youtu.be/VN5EoMGb-xw?si=WMaB9UuXCLNpP6iE&t=3
[c]pay-REE-toh moh-RAY-noh https://forvo.com/search/Perito%20Moreno/
[d]https://forvo.com/search/Trypophobia/
silk https://youtu.be/emhrVeCA81U?si=Z5BWqwjAr2v8AhhK&t=351
[e]soh-suss-FLY / sossus-FLY https://forvo.com/search/Sossusvlei/
[f]dead-fly https://youtu.be/rG9OQ0UILVU?si=ovhJ_R03fYQ38wJx&t=19
[g]https://youtu.be/S_HqXEc654Y?si=bnAT8YRhwyd_nPvE&t=7
[h]SING-ghee duh BEMMARA-huh https://youtu.be/PDYBgUf4NvU?si=jBbYfqIdlIxaPz1R&t=2
mal-ah-GASSY https://forvo.com/search/Malagasy/
[i]rrrrayniss-FYAH-rah https://forvo.com/search/Reynisfjara/
raynis-DRONG-kurr https://forvo.com/search/Reynisdrangar/
[j]TROLLTOONG-ah https://forvo.com/search/trolltunga/
[k]https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lithic
[l]lane-SOYS mah-rahn-YANE-sis https://forvo.com/word/len%C3%A7%C3%B3is_maranhenses/#pt https://translate.google.ca/?sl=pt&tl=en&text=Len%C3%A7%C3%B3is%20Maranhenses&op=translate