No.11: Lampedusa Island (Italy)
The southernmost speck of Italy, Lampedusa boasts waters so crystal clear that boats anchored in its coves appear to be levitating. The island’s famous Rabbit Beach has repeatedly been ranked among the world’s most beautiful, with powdery white sand and shimmering turquoise shallows. In summer, sea turtles return to these pristine shores to lay their eggs, adding to the island’s magic.
Getting here isn’t easy—most travelers arrive via a short flight from Sicily—but the reward is a Mediterranean paradise untouched by mass tourism. The illusion of “floating boats” against a backdrop of sunlit cliffs and aquamarine waters is a sight you’ll never forget.
No.10: The Underwater Waterfall (Mauritius)
Just off the coast of the island paradise of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean lies a sight so surreal it seems impossible: an “underwater waterfall.” Seen from above on a helicopter tour, this optical illusion gives the impression of the ocean floor plunging into an abyss, as if the earth itself is being swallowed by the deep.
In reality, no waterfall exists. The effect is created by the movement of sand and sediment from the shallow lagoon into the deeper ocean, combined with the play of light and shifting water currents. From the sky, white sand streaks form cascading patterns against cobalt-blue waters, creating a breathtaking spectacle that changes constantly with tides and the angle of sunlight.
Invisible from land, this phenomenon can only be fully appreciated from the air—making an aerial tour essential. For those lucky enough to witness it, the experience is nothing short of otherworldly—a fleeting moment of pure natural magic etched into memory for a lifetime.
