There are so many incredible natural wonders on earth and to be honest every traveler could create his own list, based on his unique preferences. Unesco’s 7 natural wonders of the world are known for most of us, however, there are so many other remarkable destinations created by Mother Earth that should be on your bucket list. Based on my adventurous traveling I have created a list of the top 12 greatest natural wonders, which will leave you breathless. These places are stunning scene of nature and I can’t even tell you how rewarding is getting to these spots!
Top 10 greatest natural wonders of the world.
1. Hiking Ijen Crater, East Java, Indonesia
I had to place Ijen Crater on the top of my list of the natural wonders of the world, as this is really a remarkable sight in Indonesia. This untypical scenery is a combination of nature phenomena and unique local stories.
Apart from the fact that Kawah Ijen (Ijen crater) is the world’s largest highly acidic volcanic lake, it’s an amazing trekking adventure! Starting in the middle of the night, you walk a few kilometers to witness sunrise over one of the most spectacular nature wonders – over 960 meters wide crater lake, boiling constantly at 300 Celsius degrees. Ijen volcano contains the world’s largest acidic volcanic lake.
If you are lucky you’ll get to witness the BLUE FLAMES – the phenomenon that occurs when gases condense into liquid sulphur, which pours from the side of volcano and flows down the slopes burning with blue fire. It is actually seen as a blue flame. Some say it happens only once or twice a week but we were lucky enough to see it and it is a very unique experience. Read: Hiking Ijen Crater in east Java in Indonesia. Ijen Crater can be easily reached from Bali on day tours.
2. The great Barrier Reef, Australia.
The Great Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef system in the world and one of the greatest natural wonders of the world, should be seen once in a lifetime. The underwater landscape is a haven for snorkelers and scuba divers, but there are many other water attractions and boat tours, to admire one of the most incredible sight of Mother Earth.
The Great Barrier Reef can be easily accessible from the east coast of Australia. You can also consider traveling to New Caledonia, which is only 2h flight from the east of Australia. New Caledonia is located in the world’s largest lagoon-protected area.
If you are looking for an adventurous itinerary of your lifetime, check my posts:
3. Petra, Jordan.
Petra is an ancient and archaeological city in southern Jordan. This land of sandy caves and rock formations is a truly overwhelming natural wonder. Many call Petra Pink City due to the color of its stone. I recommend spending 2-3 days in the nearest town Wadi Musa to visit Petra over a few days.
Check: Best snorkeling and diving spots in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aqaba.
4. Dead Sea – the lowest point on earth!
The spectacular scenery of salt formations across the Dead Sea Blue Lagoon can’t be missed. Swimming (or rather drifting like a bubble) in the Dead Sea is one of the most adventurous and funny things to experience.
Plants and animals cannot exist in this environment. If you travel to the southern part of the Dead Sea you’ll see salt bridges – which connect Israel and Jordan. Walking through bridges takes a couple of hours, but the salty coast is just overwhelming.
5. Galapagos Islands – the Tortoise archipelago, Ecuador.
Many know Galapagos for its natural paradise and exceptional wildlife. Galapagos is an old Spanish word for tortoise. More than 120 islands compose the archipelago, located 1000 km from the mainland. The Galápagos Islands are one of my greatest natural wonders of the world. I would go back anytime to explore this unique landscape one more time. The Galapagos offers an unparalleled opportunity to witness nature in its purest form. Exploring these volcanic islands truly feels like stepping into a world untouched by time.
Everything on the islands is unique and some of the animals exist only on the archipelago. Wildlife that has evolved with little human presence has never developed a natural fear of humans, so it’s very likely sea lions will find your backpack comfortable while you are taking a swim 🙂 There are endless activities
Want to live a lifetime adventure – jump to my post about the Galapagos archipelago – the Tortoise Islands.
6. Phong Nha the biggest caves in the world – Vietnam!
Central Vietnam – this is where you find the longest cave in the world which is 7 km. Phong Nha caves are rarely on the list of top natural wonders of the world, while they definitey should be mentioned here. The good news is that still not many people reach central Vietnam to explore the caves and it is a quite unknown destination. That means you will probably skip the crowds, but book the accommodation in advance (there were only few guesthouses couple years ago, located in the nearest viallage, and all was full!).
You can explore most of the cave by boat. The deepest water has 31 meters and the cave is 80 meters high. The locals say the cave is so big, that it would fit in a warship. There’s a long bridge built inside the cave so visitors can explore the cave on foot, taking long walks discovering indoor beaches. Tu Lan is the whole cave system here with over 20 km length.
Read about trekking experience in the biggest caves in the world go here.
7. Playa de las Catedrales – the Beach of Holy Waters, Spain.
Playa de las Catedrales in Galicia, Spain offers one of the most unusual geological rock formations. It is officially called Praia de Augas Santas – Beach of Holy Waters. Don’t forget to check the tide before you go, as the beach disappears completely when the tide is high. What’s more, if you are planning to take a long walk along the beach it might be dangerous if you don’t know the tides, as you may get stuck in one of the caves.
Full information about Galicia and Playa de las Catedrales read here.
8. Hiking active Telica Volcano in Nicaragua
If you love volcano hiking Telica is an extremely exciting expedition! This is absolutely one of the most amazing hiking experiences I had for a number of reasons. Telica volcano is a stunning natural wonder of the world, It is a challenging hike due to its length and disturbing heat. Telica Volcano is one of the greatest accents of wild Nicaragua. At the beginning of the hike, there are “hot springs” – mud holes with sulfur, boiling straight from the heart of the volcano. The crater is more than 100 meters in length and the view on the top is just mind-blowing.
9. Crystal Cave – Bermuda
Another cave on my list lies in the British overseas territory of Bermuda – Crystal Cave. The cave was formed during the Ice Age. While the whole island is rather pure nature due to its location just in the middle of the ocean, far from any continents, this cave is a stunning natural attraction. The walls are littered with stalactites and crystallized soda straws. Like most caves, it is filled with crystal clear water and it is one of the most dramatic cave systems in the world. Definitely needs to be on the list of the greatest natural wonders of the world.
10. Giants Causeway – Northern Ireland
These unbelievable basalt formations are totally made by nature and are sticking out of the sea. Based on recent research these structures are caused by a volcanic activity that took place about 60 million years ago.
Giant’s Causeway formations are a true natural wonders of the world. There are only two places in the world where you can spot them – Ireland and New Zealand. Giant’s Causeway along with the Game of Thrones tour is one of the most adventurous itineraries you can take in the west coast of Ireland.
11. Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia.
Plitvice National Park is a heavily forested natural beauty. This exceptional region of crystal lakes, waterfalls and cascades is located in North Croatia and is considered as most beautiful National Park in Europe. There are number of trekking trails, properly marked so you can easily choose the length and time you want to spend in the park.
12. Mount Everest, Nepal.
My beloved Himalayas with landscape like nowhere else in the world. For adventurers seeking the ultimate challenge, a trek to the base camp of the world’s highest mountain is a life-changing experience. The sheer magnitude of Mount Everest and its surrounding Himalayan peaks is a sight to behold. I recommend 14 days trekking guide to Everest Base Camp if you are considering approaching one of the most amazing trails.
Note: This post may contain affiliate links, which are at absolutely no cost to you – I can earn a small commission on sales generated through this website and thanks to that I can share travel guides and inspirations that may help you reach your dream destinations and discover our unique world. I only recommend sites I actually use and have traveled to. Thank you for your support!
