37:T8796,

40. Maya Bay | Phi Phi Leh, Thailand

Maya Bay’s cliffs surround a beach made internationally familiar by The Beach, but its later story is as much about conservation as cinema. On Thailand’s Phi Phi Leh, visitor pressure prompted restoration and controlled access. That history makes the landscape more meaningful, not less beautiful. Check current park rules and respect restrictions on entry and water activities; a celebrated bay is still a place that needs recovery and care.

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39. Saadiyat Beach | United Arab Emirates

Saadiyat gives Abu Dhabi an open coastal face: a long pale shore and turquoise water close to the city’s cultural and urban life. It is also a nesting environment for hawksbill turtles, so the beach is more than a leisure setting. That overlap makes responsible access essential. Keep to local guidance around protected areas and let wildlife habitat remain part of the landscape, rather than a detail to overlook.

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38. Siesta Beach | Florida, United States

The sand is central to Siesta Beach’s identity. Rich in quartz, it gives this Siesta Key shoreline in Florida a remarkably pale, powdery appearance. Against it, the Gulf water can seem especially saturated, turning an ordinary view of umbrellas and walkers into a study in contrast. The broad beach invites a longer look, while changing weather and water conditions still call for the usual coastal caution.

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37. Porto Timoni | Corfu, Greece

Two beaches sit back-to-back at Porto Timoni, separated by a narrow neck of land on Corfu. The walk down from Afionas reveals the shape before you reach the shore: two arcs of water, steep green slopes and a thin meeting point of sand and pebbles. Each side has its own aspect, so the experience changes as you move just a few steps across the headland.

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36. Cayo Zapatilla | Panama

The two Cayo Zapatilla islands in Panama’s Bocas del Toro region place tropical forest close to the water’s edge. Pale sand surrounds the green interior, while reef habitat lies offshore within a protected marine setting. The simple outline is part of the attraction: these are landscapes without a built-up beachfront to dominate the view. Keep visits low-impact, take waste away and leave marine life undisturbed.

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35. Freedom Beach | Phuket, Thailand

Freedom Beach is framed by wooded hills on Phuket, offering a more enclosed coastal scene than the island’s broad resort beaches. White sand and Andaman water meet inside that green outline, with the approach taking more effort than a simple roadside arrival. Boat and land access depend on local arrangements and conditions. The appeal is the change of setting, not a guarantee that a popular island still contains a private beach.

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34. Honopū Beach | Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi, United States

Honopū is a place to admire from a respectful distance. On Kauaʻi’s Nā Pali Coast, sandy coves sit beneath immense sea cliffs, divided by the landmark rock arch. Its cultural significance and difficult, hazardous access are inseparable from the landscape. This is not a recommendation to attempt a swim or a landing: appreciate the coast from a lawful offshore or aerial viewpoint, following current local guidance.

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33. Canto de la Playa | Dominican Republic

At Canto de la Playa, the shore of Saona Island is framed by tropical vegetation rather than a long row of buildings. A boat approach separates this Dominican Republic beach from a routine roadside stop. Pale sand and bright water make a simple composition, but the greenery gives it depth. Treat the island as a living environment, keeping wildlife, plants and the shoreline undisturbed.

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32. PK 9 Beach | French Polynesia

PK 9 Beach lies on Fakarava in French Polynesia, a place where lagoon life shapes the shore’s identity. Palms line pale sand, and the clear water makes the boundary between land and marine habitat feel especially thin. Fakarava’s biosphere-reserve setting matters as much as the tropical view. Enjoy the scene without touching coral, disturbing animals or treating the shallow-looking lagoon as a controlled swimming pool.

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31. Kalanggaman | Philippines

Kalanggaman’s sandbar makes the island look as if it is tapering into the sea. Off the Philippines, this narrow strip of white sand is bordered by clear water and a horizon with few interruptions. Boat access and limited infrastructure are part of its identity, not inconveniences to edit out. Tides and currents shape the sandbar, so follow local instructions rather than assuming its most photogenic stretches are safe to cross.

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30. Koh Rong | Cambodia

Koh Rong’s long, pale shoreline offers another side of Cambodia beyond its better-known inland landmarks. Reached by boat from the mainland, the beach alternates open sand with edges of dense tropical growth. Its length allows the view to unfold gradually rather than hinge on one spectacular rock or viewpoint. Conditions and development vary around an island, so think of this as landscape inspiration rather than a promise of an empty coast.

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29. Navagio Beach | Zakynthos, Greece

Navagio’s rusting shipwreck gives a dramatic focus to a cove already defined by white cliffs and intensely blue water. On Zakynthos, the view is iconic enough to be recognizable at a glance, but the surrounding rock is not a benign backdrop. Access and viewpoints can be restricted for safety. Appreciate the landscape only from currently authorized places, rather than treating a famous photograph as permission to approach.

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28. Seven Mile Beach | Cayman Islands

Along Grand Cayman’s west side, Seven Mile Beach combines a wide sweep of coral sand with the conveniences of a developed coast. Resorts and restaurants are part of the setting, not hidden outside the frame. What holds the scene together is the long, pale shoreline and the gradual change of blue offshore. It suits the idea of a beach walk that can become an entire afternoon.

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27. Princess Diana Beach | Barbuda, Antigua and Barbuda

Princess Diana Beach on Barbuda is memorable for how little interrupts it. Pale sand with a pink tint stretches along a lightly developed shore, meeting clear water beneath a large, open sky. The scene rewards a slower gaze: a change in light or the line of a small wave can become the main event. Remoteness is part of the appeal, not a promise of available services.

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26. Donald Duck Bay | Similan Islands, Thailand

A rounded granite formation gives Donald Duck Bay its playful name, but the setting is more striking than the nickname suggests. In Thailand’s Similan Islands, large boulders frame bright sand and blue water inside a protected marine landscape. Access is managed and seasonal arrangements can change. Check current park information rather than assuming that a boat trip, a swimming stop or an opening date is guaranteed.

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25. Kaputaş Beach | Türkiye

Kaputaş is a small beach with a dramatic address: the foot of a canyon on Türkiye’s Mediterranean coast. A staircase descends from the road to coarse sand and pebbles, making the scale of the surrounding walls more apparent with every step. From the shore, the gorge and the blue water form two contrasting worlds, compressed into one remarkably compact stretch of coastline.

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24. Paradise Beach | Koh Kradan, Thailand

On Koh Kradan in Thailand, Paradise Beach places reef-fringed water beside a shore backed by tropical greenery. With no road traffic defining the island experience, the scene is shaped more by boats, tide and the beach itself. The attraction is its modest scale rather than an elaborate resort skyline. In a protected marine setting, keep your distance from coral and check local advice before heading into the water.

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23. Cala Macarella | Menorca, Spain

Pines reach toward a limestone-framed inlet on Menorca’s southern coast. Seen from above, Cala Macarella’s horseshoe shape makes the transition from shaded woodland to bright water especially clear. The appeal is not just the color of the sea, but the way the forest, cliffs and curved shore fit together. Its protected setting deserves the same care from visitors as any wilder coast.

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22. Pink Beach | Komodo National Park, Indonesia

At Pink Beach in Indonesia’s Komodo National Park, fragments of red coral mix with lighter sand to give the shoreline its distinctive tint. The effect depends on light and viewpoint rather than a uniformly bright pink surface. Rugged hills and clear water provide the larger setting. Leave sand and coral where they belong, and treat the surrounding marine environment as habitat rather than a collection of souvenirs.

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21. Cayo de Agua | Venezuela

In Venezuela’s Los Roques archipelago, Cayo de Agua is recognizable by the narrow sandbar that appears to stitch pieces of island together. White sand cuts through clear blue water, turning the coastline into a graphic line rather than a broad strip. Its national-park setting is part of its character. Follow local conservation guidance and remember that the route across a sandbar changes as the sea moves.

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20. One Foot Island | Cook Islands

One Foot Island sits inside Aitutaki’s lagoon in the Cook Islands, surrounded by shallow-looking blues that stretch far beyond its palm-fringed shore. The island is small enough for the lagoon to dominate almost every view. A tiny post-office stop offers a human-scale counterpoint to that wide seascape. The lasting image, though, is the transition from soft sand to open water, with little visual clutter in between.

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19. Mamanuca Beach | Fiji

On Vomo Island in Fiji, Mamanuca Beach is a meeting of palms, tropical growth and a generous strip of white sand. The vegetation gives the shore a textured edge, while open water keeps the overall view simple. Its appeal lies in the balance between shade and brightness, enclosure and horizon. Rather than packing the scene with activities, it encourages attention to the coastline itself and its changing light.

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18. Dhigurah | Maldives

Dhigurah’s long shore leads toward a thin sandbar extending into the Maldivian lagoon. Water on both sides makes even a short walk feel unusually exposed to color and light. The village is part of the island’s identity, while the farther reaches of the beach offer a different sense of space. Sandbars are shaped by tides, so a beautiful photograph is not a guide to when or where to walk.

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17. Playa Balandra | Mexico

Near La Paz, Balandra is a coastal landscape of linked sandy bays and unusually shallow-looking water. Its best-known landmark, the mushroom-shaped El Hongo rock, gives the vast blue scene a recognizable focal point. This is a protected natural area rather than simply another beach stop. Follow current visitor limits and local guidance, and remember that the appearance of a shallow bay does not eliminate tidal or weather risks.

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16. Wineglass Bay | Tasmania, Australia

Wineglass Bay is best understood through its curve. In Tasmania’s Freycinet National Park, a white arc of sand sits below granite heights and thick vegetation, producing a scene that feels carefully drawn even though it is entirely natural. A higher viewpoint reveals the whole shape; the shore offers a more enclosed experience. The effort of the approach is part of the landscape, so prepare for the route rather than just the photograph.

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15. Cala dei Gabbiani | Sardinia, Italy

The small white stones at Cala dei Gabbiani make an unusually bright border between Sardinia’s limestone coast and the sea. Offshore, pale aquamarine gives way to deeper blue over a seabed that drops away relatively close to land. This is a cove defined by its materials rather than a promenade: rock, pebbles and water do almost all of the visual work.

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14. Hidden Beach | El Nido, Philippines

Hidden Beach lives up to its name through geography rather than marketing. In El Nido, limestone walls screen a small sandy cove from the open sea, so the setting reveals itself gradually on the approach. Palms and other greenery soften the rock above the water. Boat trips and any onward access depend on local conditions; the enclosing cliffs create atmosphere, not a reason to ignore tides or safety guidance.

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13. Shoal Bay East | Anguilla

Shoal Bay East brings together the familiar ingredients of an Anguilla beach—pale sand, palm shade and clear Caribbean water—without reducing the scene to an empty postcard. Low-key bars give the shore a social rhythm, while the length of the beach leaves room for a quieter walk. Look closely at the meeting of sand and sea, where subtle changes in depth create the strongest colors.

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12. Nosy Iranja | Madagascar

Nosy Iranja is a place where the shoreline visibly changes with the tide. Off Madagascar, a sandbar links two islands when the water retreats, drawing a pale line through the blue. As the sea returns, that connection disappears beneath it. The scene is a reminder to read a coast as a moving landscape, and to give nesting turtles and other marine life space rather than treating them as attractions.

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11. Turquoise Bay | Australia

At Turquoise Bay, Western Australia’s dry coastal landscape meets the marine world of Ningaloo. The beach is as much a threshold to reef habitat as a place to sit on the sand. That combination explains its appeal to snorkelers, but currents here deserve particular respect. Seek current local advice, understand the exit points and your own ability, and never read inviting water color as a safety assessment.

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10. Grace Bay | Turks and Caicos Islands

Grace Bay, on Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands, is an expansive beach rather than a tiny hidden cove. Its long white shore and offshore reef create the layered blues associated with the islands. The setting accommodates a more developed beach holiday, yet the horizon remains the dominant feature. A reef offshore does not guarantee safe water on every day; take local conditions seriously.

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9. Lucky Bay | Western Australia, Australia

Lucky Bay, in Western Australia’s Cape Le Grand National Park, has become famous for kangaroos appearing beside brilliantly pale sand. The animals are wild, not part of a staged beach experience, and should be watched without feeding or approaching them. Beyond that familiar image, a long sweep of shore meets clear blue water and a relatively undeveloped landscape. The broader setting is worth attention even when no kangaroo appears.

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8. Trunk Bay | US Virgin Islands

On St. John, Trunk Bay pairs a bright Caribbean shoreline with the wooded setting of Virgin Islands National Park. Its underwater trail gives the beach another dimension beyond the view from the sand, connecting a visit to the reef ecosystem. The protected landscape is the important context, not simply an attractive backdrop. Follow current park guidance and respect both changing water conditions and the fragile habitat offshore.

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7. Cala Mariolu | Sardinia, Italy

Cala Mariolu is another expression of Sardinia’s limestone coast, with white pebbles gathered beneath rugged slopes and water shifting through several shades of blue. The confined shore makes the surrounding rock feel close rather than distant scenery. Arriving requires planning, whether by an organized boat route or a demanding land approach. The view is compelling from above as well as below, but the terrain deserves preparation and respect.

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6. Wharton Beach | Western Australia, Australia

Wharton Beach opens onto Western Australia’s southern coast near Duke of Orleans Bay. Its sweep of white sand and clear water can look deceptively gentle in a photograph, but this is also a surfing coast exposed to the ocean. The space and distance from a heavily built-up shore are central to its character. Enjoy the broad horizon without confusing remoteness or beautiful color with predictable conditions.

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5. Fteri Beach | Kefalonia, Greece

On Kefalonia, the approach to Fteri is part of the experience: a boat journey or a demanding path leads toward a pale cove below steep cliffs. White pebbles and sand give the water its luminous edge. Rather than a backdrop of buildings, the shoreline offers rock, vegetation and the changing blue of the Ionian Sea—a landscape best enjoyed without rushing through it.

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4. Anse Source d’Argent | Seychelles

Anse Source d’Argent is recognizable before you read its name. On La Digue in the Seychelles, weathered granite boulders rise beside pale sand and shallow-looking water, creating small compositions along the shore. Move a little and a different rock becomes the focal point. The approach through L’Union Estate also distinguishes the visit; check current access arrangements rather than relying on an old photograph or travel itinerary.

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3. Entalula Beach | Palawan, Philippines

Off Palawan, Entalula compresses a dramatic island landscape into a small shoreline. Limestone walls rise behind white sand, while clear water creates a bright foreground. Arriving by boat makes the shift from open sea to enclosed cove part of the experience. The strongest impression is the contrast in scale: a narrow beach below tall rock, with vegetation softening the boundary between the two.

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2. Whitehaven Beach | Queensland, Australia

Whitehaven’s very pale silica-rich sand is the foundation of its striking Whitsundays palette. Along this Queensland shore, white beach and turquoise water create a scene that can look abstract from above, especially where tide reshapes the shallows. Reaching it requires a trip across water or through the air rather than a drive to a promenade. Keep the visit respectful of its protected island and reef environment.

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1. Cala Goloritzé | Sardinia, Italy

A tall limestone pinnacle marks Cala Goloritzé on Sardinia’s Baunei coast, making the small beach feel like the floor of a natural amphitheater. Pale stones and clear water provide the foreground, but the rock formations carry the scene. Protection is integral to its appeal, with access arrangements designed to limit pressure on the cove. Check current official rules before choosing a route or making plans to land.

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32:["$","$L30","editorial-the-worlds-30-best-beaches-plus-9-hall-of-fame-escapes",{"post":{"uid":"editorial-the-worlds-30-best-beaches-plus-9-hall-of-fame-escapes","slug":"the-worlds-40-best-beaches","title":"The World’s 40 Best Beaches","date":"2026-10-03 14:37:00","newSince":"2026-10-17","type":"gallery","showDate":false,"categories":["TRAVEL","NATURE","LISTS","BEST OF","EXPLORE"],"primaryCategory":"TRAVEL","tags":[{"slug":"beaches","name":"Beaches"},{"slug":"coastal-travel","name":"Coastal Travel"},{"slug":"island-escapes","name":"Island Escapes"},{"slug":"natural-landscapes","name":"Natural Landscapes"},{"slug":"ocean-views","name":"Ocean Views"},{"slug":"travel-photography","name":"Travel Photography"},{"slug":"conservation","name":"Conservation"}],"intro":"White sand is only the beginning. From granite-framed coves in the Seychelles to the bright shallows of the Caribbean and Australia’s vast island shores, these 40 beaches offer very different ways to meet the sea. Our countdown brings together secluded bays, extraordinary rock formations and coastlines worth slowing down for.","seoDescription":"Explore 40 remarkable beaches around the world, from Seychelles coves to Caribbean shallows and Australian shores, in a visual countdown of coastal escapes.","body":"$37","cover":"/assets/img/archive/2026/the-worlds-30-best-beaches-plus-9-hall-of-fame-escapes-cover.jpg","ogImage":"/assets/img/archive/2026/the-worlds-30-best-beaches-plus-9-hall-of-fame-escapes-cover.jpg","videoId":null,"gallery":[{"title":"Maya Bay | Phi Phi Leh, Thailand","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/the-worlds-30-best-beaches-plus-9-hall-of-fame-escapes-37-hall-of-fame-maya-bay-phi-phi-leh-thailand.jpg","w":2000,"h":1499,"caption":"

How to Get Here

"},{"title":"Saadiyat Beach | United Arab Emirates","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/the-worlds-30-best-beaches-plus-9-hall-of-fame-escapes-19-19-saadiyat-beach-united-arab-emirates.jpg","w":2000,"h":1499,"caption":"

How to Get Here

"},{"title":"Siesta Beach | Florida, United States","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/north-americas-11-best-beaches-07-7-siesta-beach-florida-united-states.jpg","w":2000,"h":1499,"caption":"

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"},{"title":"Porto Timoni | Corfu, Greece","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/europes-11-best-beaches-09-9-porto-timoni-corfu-greece.jpg","w":2000,"h":1499,"caption":"

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"},{"title":"Cayo Zapatilla | Panama","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/the-worlds-30-best-beaches-plus-9-hall-of-fame-escapes-30-30-cayo-zapatilla-panama.jpg","w":2000,"h":1499,"caption":"

How to Get Here

"},{"title":"Freedom Beach | Phuket, Thailand","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/the-worlds-30-best-beaches-plus-9-hall-of-fame-escapes-27-27-freedom-beach-phuket-thailand.jpg","w":2000,"h":1499,"caption":"

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"},{"title":"Honopū Beach | Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi, United States","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/the-worlds-30-best-beaches-plus-9-hall-of-fame-escapes-39-hall-of-fame-honopu-beach-kauai-hawaii-united-states.jpg","w":2000,"h":1499,"caption":"

How to Get Here

"},{"title":"Canto de la Playa | Dominican Republic","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/north-americas-11-best-beaches-05-5-canto-de-la-playa-dominican-republic.jpg","w":2000,"h":1499,"caption":"

How to Get Here

"},{"title":"PK 9 Beach | French Polynesia","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/the-worlds-30-best-beaches-plus-9-hall-of-fame-escapes-16-16-pk-9-beach-french-polynesia.jpg","w":2000,"h":1499,"caption":"

How to Get Here

"},{"title":"Kalanggaman | Philippines","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/the-worlds-30-best-beaches-plus-9-hall-of-fame-escapes-25-25-kalanggaman-philippines.jpg","w":2000,"h":1499,"caption":"

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"},{"title":"Koh Rong | Cambodia","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/the-worlds-30-best-beaches-plus-9-hall-of-fame-escapes-09-9-koh-rong-cambodia.jpg","w":2000,"h":1499,"caption":"

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"},{"title":"Navagio Beach | Zakynthos, Greece","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/the-worlds-30-best-beaches-plus-9-hall-of-fame-escapes-35-hall-of-fame-navagio-beach-zakynthos-greece.jpg","w":2000,"h":1499,"caption":"

How to Get Here

"},{"title":"Seven Mile Beach | Cayman Islands","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/north-americas-11-best-beaches-06-6-seven-mile-beach-cayman-islands.jpg","w":2000,"h":1499,"caption":"

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"},{"title":"Princess Diana Beach | Barbuda, Antigua and Barbuda","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/north-americas-11-best-beaches-03-3-princess-diana-beach-barbuda-antigua-and-barbuda.jpg","w":2000,"h":1499,"caption":"

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"},{"title":"Donald Duck Bay | Similan Islands, Thailand","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/the-worlds-30-best-beaches-plus-9-hall-of-fame-escapes-10-10-donald-duck-bay-similan-islands-thailand.jpg","w":2000,"h":1499,"caption":"

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"},{"title":"Kaputaş Beach | Türkiye","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/europes-11-best-beaches-04-4-kaputas-beach-turkiye.jpg","w":2000,"h":1499,"caption":"

How to Get Here

"},{"title":"Paradise Beach | Koh Kradan, Thailand","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/the-worlds-30-best-beaches-plus-9-hall-of-fame-escapes-23-23-paradise-beach-koh-kradan-thailand.jpg","w":2000,"h":1499,"caption":"

How to Get Here

"},{"title":"Cala Macarella | Menorca, Spain","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/europes-11-best-beaches-02-2-cala-macarella-menorca-spain.jpg","w":2000,"h":1499,"caption":"

How to Get Here

"},{"title":"Pink Beach | Komodo National Park, Indonesia","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/the-worlds-30-best-beaches-plus-9-hall-of-fame-escapes-22-22-pink-beach-komodo-national-park-indonesia.jpg","w":2000,"h":1499,"caption":"

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"},{"title":"Cayo de Agua | Venezuela","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/the-worlds-30-best-beaches-plus-9-hall-of-fame-escapes-11-11-cayo-de-agua-venezuela.jpg","w":2000,"h":1499,"caption":"

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"},{"title":"One Foot Island | Cook Islands","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/the-worlds-30-best-beaches-plus-9-hall-of-fame-escapes-13-13-one-foot-island-cook-islands.jpg","w":2000,"h":1499,"caption":"

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"},{"title":"Mamanuca Beach | Fiji","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/the-worlds-30-best-beaches-plus-9-hall-of-fame-escapes-05-5-mamanuca-beach-fiji.jpg","w":2000,"h":1499,"caption":"

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"},{"title":"Dhigurah | Maldives","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/the-worlds-30-best-beaches-plus-9-hall-of-fame-escapes-07-7-dhigurah-maldives.jpg","w":2000,"h":1499,"caption":"

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"},{"title":"Playa Balandra | Mexico","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/north-americas-11-best-beaches-02-2-playa-balandra-mexico.jpg","w":2000,"h":1499,"caption":"

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"},{"title":"Wineglass Bay | Tasmania, Australia","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/the-worlds-30-best-beaches-plus-9-hall-of-fame-escapes-21-21-wineglass-bay-tasmania-australia.jpg","w":2000,"h":1499,"caption":"

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"},{"title":"Cala dei Gabbiani | Sardinia, Italy","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/europes-11-best-beaches-03-3-cala-dei-gabbiani-sardinia-italy.jpg","w":2000,"h":1499,"caption":"

How to Get Here

"},{"title":"Hidden Beach | El Nido, Philippines","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/the-worlds-30-best-beaches-plus-9-hall-of-fame-escapes-38-hall-of-fame-hidden-beach-el-nido-philippines.jpg","w":2000,"h":1499,"caption":"

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"},{"title":"Shoal Bay East | Anguilla","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/north-americas-11-best-beaches-01-1-shoal-bay-east-anguilla.jpg","w":2000,"h":1499,"caption":"

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"},{"title":"Nosy Iranja | Madagascar","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/the-worlds-30-best-beaches-plus-9-hall-of-fame-escapes-04-4-nosy-iranja-madagascar.jpg","w":2000,"h":1499,"caption":"

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"},{"title":"Turquoise Bay | Australia","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/the-worlds-30-best-beaches-plus-9-hall-of-fame-escapes-15-15-turquoise-bay-australia.jpg","w":2000,"h":1499,"caption":"

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"},{"title":"Grace Bay | Turks and Caicos Islands","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/north-americas-11-best-beaches-04-4-grace-bay-turks-and-caicos-islands.jpg","w":2000,"h":1499,"caption":"

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"},{"title":"Lucky Bay | Western Australia, Australia","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/the-worlds-30-best-beaches-plus-9-hall-of-fame-escapes-34-hall-of-fame-lucky-bay-western-australia-australia.jpg","w":2000,"h":1499,"caption":"

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"},{"title":"Trunk Bay | US Virgin Islands","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/the-worlds-30-best-beaches-plus-9-hall-of-fame-escapes-32-hall-of-fame-trunk-bay-us-virgin-islands.jpg","w":2000,"h":1499,"caption":"

How to Get Here

"},{"title":"Cala Mariolu | Sardinia, Italy","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/the-worlds-30-best-beaches-plus-9-hall-of-fame-escapes-33-hall-of-fame-cala-mariolu-sardinia-italy.jpg","w":2000,"h":1499,"caption":"

How to Get Here

"},{"title":"Wharton Beach | Western Australia, Australia","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/the-worlds-30-best-beaches-plus-9-hall-of-fame-escapes-03-3-wharton-beach-western-australia-australia.jpg","w":2000,"h":1499,"caption":"

How to Get Here

"},{"title":"Fteri Beach | Kefalonia, Greece","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/europes-11-best-beaches-01-1-fteri-beach-kefalonia-greece.jpg","w":2000,"h":1499,"caption":"

How to Get Here

"},{"title":"Anse Source d’Argent | Seychelles","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/the-worlds-30-best-beaches-plus-9-hall-of-fame-escapes-24-24-anse-source-dargent-seychelles.jpg","w":2000,"h":1499,"caption":"

How to Get Here

"},{"title":"Entalula Beach | Palawan, Philippines","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/the-worlds-30-best-beaches-plus-9-hall-of-fame-escapes-01-1-entalula-beach-palawan-philippines.jpg","w":2000,"h":946,"caption":"

How to Get Here

"},{"title":"Whitehaven Beach | Queensland, Australia","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/the-worlds-30-best-beaches-plus-9-hall-of-fame-escapes-36-hall-of-fame-whitehaven-beach-queensland-australia.jpg","w":2000,"h":1499,"caption":"

How to Get Here

"},{"title":"Cala Goloritzé | Sardinia, Italy","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/the-worlds-30-best-beaches-plus-9-hall-of-fame-escapes-31-hall-of-fame-cala-goloritze-sardinia-italy.jpg","w":2000,"h":946,"caption":"

How to Get Here

"}],"nimg":40,"galleryMediaType":"image","comments":[],"featured":true,"galleryNumbering":"descending","introHtml":"$undefined","vimeoId":"$undefined","extraVideoIds":[]}}] 38:Tfe7,

Green Satin in the Sun

A Towel That Completes the Look

The Details in the Light

A Poolside Change of Scene

An Off-Duty Smile

A Closer Portrait

Burgundy by the Window

Burgundy and a White Towel

A Shimmering Finish

A Pause on the Sun Lounger

At the Water’s Edge

33:["$","$L30","editorial-kendall-jenner-dazzles-in-a-green-satin-bikini",{"post":{"uid":"editorial-kendall-jenner-dazzles-in-a-green-satin-bikini","slug":"kendall-jenner-dazzles-in-bikinis","title":"Kendall Jenner Dazzles in Bikinis","date":"2026-09-22 17:11:00","newSince":"2026-10-16","type":"gallery","showDate":false,"categories":["FASHION","PEOPLE","EXPLORE"],"primaryCategory":"FASHION","tags":[{"slug":"kendall-jenner","name":"Kendall Jenner"},{"slug":"celebrity","name":"Celebrity"},{"slug":"swimwear","name":"Swimwear"},{"slug":"satin","name":"Satin"},{"slug":"summer-style","name":"Summer Style"},{"slug":"beachwear","name":"Beachwear"}],"intro":"From vivid green satin to deep burgundy and shimmering darker styles, Kendall Jenner brings a different mood to each look in Calzedonia’s swimwear campaigns. Beach and poolside settings keep the focus on color, texture and simple silhouettes, with towels, bracelets and a sun hat adding the finishing touches.","introHtml":"From vivid green satin to deep burgundy and shimmering darker styles, Kendall Jenner brings a different mood to each look in Calzedonia’s swimwear campaigns. Beach and poolside settings keep the focus on color, texture and simple silhouettes, with towels, bracelets and a sun hat adding the finishing touches.","seoDescription":"See Kendall Jenner's Calzedonia swimwear campaigns, featuring satin bikinis, rich colors and understated styling across beach and poolside settings.","body":"$38","cover":"/assets/img/archive/2026/kendall-jenner-calzedonia-campaign-green-satin-bikini-cover.jpg","ogImage":"/assets/img/archive/2026/kendall-jenner-calzedonia-campaign-green-satin-bikini-cover.jpg","videoId":null,"gallery":[{"title":"Green Satin in the Sun","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/kendall-jenner-calzedonia-campaign-01-green-satin-beach.jpg","w":2000,"h":1125,"caption":"

A vivid green triangle bikini and matching towel bring a single, confident color to this sunlit beach photograph.

"},{"title":"A Towel That Completes the Look","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/kendall-jenner-calzedonia-campaign-02-matching-towel.jpg","w":1321,"h":2000,"caption":"

Raised against the pale sky, the matching towel makes an everyday beach accessory part of the outfit’s color story.

"},{"title":"The Details in the Light","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/kendall-jenner-calzedonia-campaign-03-satin-details.jpg","w":2000,"h":1326,"caption":"

Fine ties, gathered fabric and slim bracelets add detail without competing with the bikini’s glossy green finish.

"},{"title":"A Poolside Change of Scene","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/kendall-jenner-calzedonia-campaign-04-poolside.jpg","w":2000,"h":1326,"caption":"

Dark pool tiles and pale paving give the same green palette a different backdrop, with the towel carrying the color through the frame.

"},{"title":"An Off-Duty Smile","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/kendall-jenner-calzedonia-campaign-05-poolside-portrait.jpg","w":1600,"h":2000,"caption":"

A relaxed smile and loosely falling hair soften the campaign’s polished styling in this poolside portrait.

"},{"title":"A Closer Portrait","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/kendall-jenner-calzedonia-campaign-06-close-up-portrait.jpg","w":1600,"h":2000,"caption":"

This portrait pares the composition back to light, texture and a small flash of green fabric.

"},{"title":"Burgundy by the Window","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/kendall-jenner-calzedonia-campaign-2025-07-burgundy-window.jpg","w":2000,"h":1341,"caption":"

A deep burgundy two-piece stands out against the dark doorway, with the reflected coastline extending the scene beyond the frame.

"},{"title":"Burgundy and a White Towel","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/kendall-jenner-calzedonia-campaign-2025-08-burgundy-towel-portrait.jpg","w":1326,"h":2000,"caption":"

A white towel and a sharply defined shadow give the burgundy bikini a clean, graphic contrast.

"},{"title":"A Shimmering Finish","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/kendall-jenner-calzedonia-campaign-2025-09-shimmering-bikini.jpg","w":1329,"h":2000,"caption":"

Sunlight catches the darker bikini’s shimmering surface, while black edging keeps the triangle silhouette clearly defined.

"},{"title":"A Pause on the Sun Lounger","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/kendall-jenner-calzedonia-campaign-2025-10-sun-lounger.jpg","w":2000,"h":1326,"caption":"

A pale towel and woven sun hat soften the poolside setting, leaving the dark, subtly reflective bikini as the focal point.

"},{"title":"At the Water’s Edge","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/kendall-jenner-calzedonia-campaign-2025-11-pool-edge.jpg","w":2000,"h":1326,"caption":"

Rippling water and warm paving frame the final poolside photograph, bringing the darker swimwear palette into the sunlight.

"}],"nimg":11,"galleryMediaType":"image","comments":[],"featured":true,"galleryNumbering":"$undefined","vimeoId":"$undefined","extraVideoIds":[]}}] 39:T1639,

Blush Pink, Uncomplicated

A Closer Look at Pink

Lemon Yellow, Dark Edges

Shade, Sunlight and a Book

Red With a Straw Hat

Blue Against the Open Sky

The Black-Bikini Formula

Simple Strings, Clear Blue

A Beach-Day Pause

Green With a Printed Scarf

A Different View of Green

The Lightweight Cover-Up

A Flash of Yellow

Yellow Meets Red

34:["$","$L30","editorial-hailey-bieber-keeps-turning-up-the-heat-in-her-vacation-bikinis",{"post":{"uid":"editorial-hailey-bieber-keeps-turning-up-the-heat-in-her-vacation-bikinis","slug":"hailey-bieber-keeps-turning-up-the-heat-in-her-vacation-bikinis","title":"Hailey Bieber Keeps Turning Up the Heat in Her Vacation Bikinis","date":"2026-09-16 14:58:00","newSince":"2026-10-16","type":"gallery","showDate":false,"categories":["FASHION","PEOPLE","EXPLORE"],"primaryCategory":"FASHION","tags":[{"slug":"hailey-bieber","name":"Hailey Bieber"},{"slug":"celebrity","name":"Celebrity"},{"slug":"swimwear","name":"Swimwear"},{"slug":"summer-style","name":"Summer Style"},{"slug":"vacation-style","name":"Vacation Style"},{"slug":"beachwear","name":"Beachwear"}],"intro":"From blush pink and lemon yellow to a pared-back black two-piece, Hailey Bieber’s vacation wardrobe makes a strong case for keeping swimwear playful. The model and founder of Rhode brings her eye for simple silhouettes and distinctive color combinations to these off-duty looks, with printed scarves, sunglasses and sun hats supplying the finishing touches.","seoDescription":"Browse Hailey Bieber's vacation swimwear, from playful pink and yellow bikinis to simple black styles, finished with scarves, sunglasses and sun hats.","body":"$39","cover":"/assets/img/archive/2026/hailey-bieber-keeps-turning-up-the-heat-in-her-vacation-bikinis-cover.jpg","ogImage":"/assets/img/archive/2026/hailey-bieber-keeps-turning-up-the-heat-in-her-vacation-bikinis-cover.jpg","videoId":null,"gallery":[{"title":"Blush Pink, Uncomplicated","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/hailey-bieber-keeps-turning-up-the-heat-in-her-vacation-biki-01-blush-pink-uncomplicated.jpg","w":2000,"h":1573,"caption":"

A blush-pink triangle bikini brings a soft touch to this relaxed mirror selfie, with blue nails adding a small, unexpected contrast.

"},{"title":"A Closer Look at Pink","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/hailey-bieber-keeps-turning-up-the-heat-in-her-vacation-biki-02-a-closer-look-at-pink.jpg","w":2000,"h":1573,"caption":"

The closer frame lets the gathered fabric and delicate ties take the lead, showing how much character a simple two-piece can have.

"},{"title":"Lemon Yellow, Dark Edges","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/hailey-bieber-keeps-turning-up-the-heat-in-her-vacation-biki-03-lemon-yellow-dark-edges.jpg","w":1080,"h":1080,"caption":"

Dark piping gives a pale-yellow bikini a graphic outline against the bright poolside setting.

"},{"title":"Shade, Sunlight and a Book","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/hailey-bieber-keeps-turning-up-the-heat-in-her-vacation-biki-04-shade-sunlight-and-a-book.jpg","w":2000,"h":2000,"caption":"

A book doubles as a little shade in this sunlit frame, while the contrast-trimmed bikini keeps the palette crisp.

"},{"title":"Red With a Straw Hat","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/hailey-bieber-keeps-turning-up-the-heat-in-her-vacation-biki-05-red-with-a-straw-hat.jpg","w":1440,"h":1080,"caption":"

A red bikini, matching sunglasses and a woven cowboy hat turn a laid-back waterside portrait into a playful summer look.

"},{"title":"Blue Against the Open Sky","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/hailey-bieber-keeps-turning-up-the-heat-in-her-vacation-biki-06-blue-against-the-open-sky.jpg","w":1440,"h":1800,"caption":"

A vivid blue two-piece echoes the sea and sky, with a printed scarf bringing another layer of color to the boat-deck scene.

"},{"title":"The Black-Bikini Formula","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/hailey-bieber-keeps-turning-up-the-heat-in-her-vacation-biki-07-the-black-bikini-formula.jpg","w":1440,"h":1739,"caption":"

A gold-toned detail gives this black triangle bikini a focal point without taking away from its clean, minimal shape.

"},{"title":"Simple Strings, Clear Blue","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/hailey-bieber-keeps-turning-up-the-heat-in-her-vacation-biki-08-simple-strings-clear-blue.jpg","w":1440,"h":1778,"caption":"

Thin black ties and an open blue sky make this beach portrait feel pared back rather than overstyled.

"},{"title":"A Beach-Day Pause","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/hailey-bieber-keeps-turning-up-the-heat-in-her-vacation-biki-09-a-beach-day-pause.jpg","w":1440,"h":962,"caption":"

The black string bikini returns in a low, horizontal composition that leaves plenty of room for sand and the approaching surf.

"},{"title":"Green With a Printed Scarf","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/hailey-bieber-keeps-turning-up-the-heat-in-her-vacation-biki-10-green-with-a-printed-scarf.jpg","w":1440,"h":1778,"caption":"

A deep-green bikini and lavender printed scarf create an easy color pairing against grass, pale sand and coastal greenery.

"},{"title":"A Different View of Green","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/hailey-bieber-keeps-turning-up-the-heat-in-her-vacation-biki-11-a-different-view-of-green.jpg","w":1440,"h":1778,"caption":"

In a second view of the same combination, the triangular top and side ties keep the silhouette simple while the scarf adds personality.

"},{"title":"The Lightweight Cover-Up","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/hailey-bieber-keeps-turning-up-the-heat-in-her-vacation-biki-12-the-lightweight-cover-up.jpg","w":1440,"h":1916,"caption":"

A lightweight gray hooded layer, dark sunglasses and a white cup shift the mood from swimwear portrait to an unhurried tropical break.

"},{"title":"A Flash of Yellow","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/hailey-bieber-keeps-turning-up-the-heat-in-her-vacation-biki-13-a-flash-of-yellow.jpg","w":1534,"h":2000,"caption":"

Bright yellow ties draw a clean line across the back, making a small color detail the focus of this close-framed photograph.

"},{"title":"Yellow Meets Red","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/hailey-bieber-keeps-turning-up-the-heat-in-her-vacation-biki-14-yellow-meets-red.jpg","w":1534,"h":2000,"caption":"

A second angle reveals the contrast between yellow edging and red fabric, closing the collection with a brighter, bolder color combination.

"}],"nimg":14,"galleryMediaType":"image","comments":[],"featured":true,"introHtml":"From blush pink and lemon yellow to a pared-back black two-piece, Hailey Bieber’s vacation wardrobe makes a strong case for keeping swimwear playful. The model and founder of Rhode brings her eye for simple silhouettes and distinctive color combinations to these off-duty looks, with printed scarves, sunglasses and sun hats supplying the finishing touches.","galleryNumbering":"$undefined","vimeoId":"$undefined","extraVideoIds":[]}}] 3a:T1acd,

Glass Squid | Family Cranchiidae

Barreleye Fish | Macropinna microstoma

Crystal Amphipod | Cystisoma

Gossamer Worm | Tomopteris

Redhead Larvacean | Mesochordaeus erythrocephalus

Common Siphonophore | Nanomia bijuga

Balloon Worm | Poeobius meseres

Barrel Amphipod | Phronima sedentaria

35:["$","$L30","editorial-almost-invisible-transparent-animals-of-the-deep-sea",{"post":{"uid":"editorial-almost-invisible-transparent-animals-of-the-deep-sea","slug":"almost-invisible-transparent-animals-of-the-deep-sea","title":"Almost Invisible: Transparent Animals of the Deep Sea","date":"2026-08-14 14:40:00","newSince":"2026-10-16","type":"gallery","showDate":false,"categories":["ANIMALS","NATURE","SCIENCE","EXPLORE"],"primaryCategory":"ANIMALS","tags":[{"slug":"marine-life","name":"Marine Life"},{"slug":"deep-ocean","name":"Deep Ocean"},{"slug":"camouflage","name":"Camouflage"},{"slug":"marine-biology","name":"Marine Biology"},{"slug":"ocean-exploration","name":"Ocean Exploration"},{"slug":"adaptations","name":"Adaptations"}],"intro":"In open ocean water, there are few rocks to hide behind and no trees to disappear into. From glass squids to delicate drifting worms, these animals reveal how transparency, selective color and fragile body structures help life take shape in the ocean’s midwater.","seoDescription":"Meet eight transparent deep-sea animals and discover how delicate structures, selective color and near-invisible bodies help life survive in open water.","body":"$3a","cover":"/assets/img/archive/2026/almost-invisible-transparent-animals-of-the-deep-sea-cover.jpg","ogImage":"/assets/img/archive/2026/almost-invisible-transparent-animals-of-the-deep-sea-cover.jpg","videoId":null,"gallery":[{"title":"Glass Squid | Family Cranchiidae","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/almost-invisible-transparent-animals-of-the-deep-sea-01-glass-squid-family-cranchiidae.jpg","w":1800,"h":1200,"caption":"

A transparent body helps a glass squid avoid making a conspicuous silhouette in open water. These squid can keep their pigment-bearing chromatophores closed, leaving much of the body see-through, while light organs help conceal opaque parts such as the eyes. Transparency is only one layer of their defenses: they can also darken their appearance or release ink when threatened. The individual pictured is a cockatoo squid, Galiteuthis phyllura, a member of this diverse family rather than a representative of every glass squid’s shape.

"},{"title":"Barreleye Fish | Macropinna microstoma","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/almost-invisible-transparent-animals-of-the-deep-sea-02-barreleye-fish-macropinna-microstoma.jpg","w":1800,"h":1200,"caption":"

Only part of this fish is transparent, but it is the part that makes its face so extraordinary. A fluid-filled shield covers the top of the head, enclosing tubular eyes with vivid green lenses. The small dark marks above the mouth are olfactory organs, not the eyes. MBARI researchers showed that the eyes can rotate from an upward-looking position toward the front when the fish feeds. The clear shield allows the barreleye to look through its own forehead while searching the dim waters above it.

"},{"title":"Crystal Amphipod | Cystisoma","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/almost-invisible-transparent-animals-of-the-deep-sea-03-crystal-amphipod-cystisoma.jpg","w":1150,"h":647,"caption":"

The crystal amphipod is a crustacean whose almost invisible body lets it occupy open water without an obvious shelter. Its enormous eyes can cover up to a third of the body, yet their retinas are spread into thin sheets that reduce the shadow seen from below. Fine structures and coatings on the exoskeleton help limit reflections, adding another layer to its camouflage. MBARI has observed these animals feeding on gelatinous prey. The image is identified at genus level, Cystisoma, rather than assigned an unverified species name.

"},{"title":"Gossamer Worm | Tomopteris","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/almost-invisible-transparent-animals-of-the-deep-sea-04-gossamer-worm-tomopteris.jpg","w":1800,"h":1200,"caption":"

This worm belongs in the water column, not in the sand. Most Tomopteris have a transparent body, with fleshy swimming appendages arranged along both sides and long sensory extensions reaching from the head. They coordinate side-to-side body motion with the rowing of those appendages, producing a surprisingly agile swimmer. Transparency helps reduce their visibility in the dim midwater, although some species also have a red stomach that masks light from swallowed prey. The photograph shows a Tomopteris individual; distinguishing species usually requires closer examination than a distant image allows.

"},{"title":"Redhead Larvacean | Mesochordaeus erythrocephalus","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/almost-invisible-transparent-animals-of-the-deep-sea-05-redhead-larvacean-mesochordaeus-erythrocephalus.jpg","w":1800,"h":1200,"caption":"

The tiny animal is only part of the structure in this photograph. A redhead larvacean lives inside a delicate mucous house that filters drifting particles from the surrounding water, directing smaller food toward its mouth. Its conspicuous red gut helps mask light from bioluminescent material it has eaten. When the filters clog or danger approaches, the larvacean can abandon the house and build another. The discarded structure sinks, carrying organic material and carbon into deeper water—a large ecological role for a fragile, easily overlooked animal.

"},{"title":"Common Siphonophore | Nanomia bijuga","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/almost-invisible-transparent-animals-of-the-deep-sea-06-common-siphonophore-nanomia-bijuga.jpg","w":1800,"h":1200,"caption":"

What looks like a slender, nearly transparent animal is a coordinated colony of specialized units. In Nanomia bijuga, swimming bells pull a trailing arrangement of parts devoted to feeding, defense and reproduction. It catches small animals with stinging tentacles, often pausing to spread its fishing apparatus before moving to another spot. In Monterey Bay, these siphonophores are significant predators of krill. Their delicate outline hides a highly organized way of life: a drifting body in which different components perform the tasks that one animal would otherwise manage alone.

"},{"title":"Balloon Worm | Poeobius meseres","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/almost-invisible-transparent-animals-of-the-deep-sea-07-balloon-worm-poeobius-meseres.jpg","w":1024,"h":768,"caption":"

Poeobius meseres scarcely resembles the segmented, bristly worms familiar from the seafloor. Its smooth, fluid-filled body and thick gelatinous coat help it remain suspended in open water without constant effort. It gathers sinking organic particles in a mucous net, feeding on material that connects the sunlit ocean to the deep. The pale outer body makes its coiled gut and delicate tentacles particularly noticeable. This is a worm adapted for drifting and filtering rather than crawling, with an unobtrusive appearance that suits a habitat offering little physical cover.

"},{"title":"Barrel Amphipod | Phronima sedentaria","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/almost-invisible-transparent-animals-of-the-deep-sea-08-barrel-amphipod-phronima-sedentaria.jpg","w":960,"h":540,"caption":"

The barrel amphipod combines a delicate-looking body with a remarkable portable shelter. It removes the soft tissues from a gelatinous animal such as a salp, then carries the hollowed-out remains as a barrel-shaped home. The individual pictured here is free-swimming, without its barrel. Females also use that structure as a nursery. Two sets of eyes provide different views: smaller eyes look sideways, while a much larger pair looks upward or ahead through the barrel opening. The shelter offers protection and buoyancy in the midwater, where solid hiding places are rare and a transparent body alone is not the whole strategy.

"}],"nimg":8,"comments":[],"featured":true,"galleryMediaType":"image","galleryNumbering":"$undefined","introHtml":"$undefined","vimeoId":"$undefined","extraVideoIds":[]}}] 3b:T269a,

#1 Alexander Calder | BMW 3.0 CSL | 1975

#2 Frank Stella | BMW 3.0 CSL | 1976

#3 Roy Lichtenstein | BMW 320i Turbo | 1977

#4 Andy Warhol | BMW M1 | 1979

#5 Ernst Fuchs | BMW 635 CSi | 1982

#6 Robert Rauschenberg | BMW 635 CSi | 1986

#7 Michael Nelson Jagamara | BMW M3 Group A | 1989

#8 Ken Done | BMW M3 Group A | 1989

#9 Matazo Kayama | BMW 535i | 1990

#10 César Manrique | BMW 730i | 1990

#11 A.R. Penck | BMW Z1 | 1991

#12 Esther Mahlangu | BMW 525i | 1991

#13 Sandro Chia | BMW M3 GTR | 1992

#14 David Hockney | BMW 850 CSi | 1995

#15 Jenny Holzer | BMW V12 LMR | 1999

#16 Olafur Eliasson | BMW H2R | 2007

#17 Jeff Koons | BMW M3 GT2 | 2010

#18 Cao Fei | BMW M6 GT3 | 2017

#19 John Baldessari | BMW M6 GTLM | 2016

#20 Julie Mehretu | BMW M Hybrid V8 | 2024

36:["$","$L30","post-pilot-bmw-art-cars-20261015",{"post":{"uid":"post-pilot-bmw-art-cars-20261015","slug":"the-history-of-the-bmw-art-cars","title":"The History of the BMW Art Cars","date":"2026-08-09 10:27:00","showDate":false,"type":"gallery","galleryMediaType":"image","categories":["CARS","ART","DESIGN","EXPLORE"],"primaryCategory":"CARS","tags":[{"slug":"automotive-design","name":"Automotive Design"},{"slug":"contemporary-art","name":"Contemporary Art"},{"slug":"pop-art","name":"Pop Art"},{"slug":"motorsport","name":"Motorsport"},{"slug":"art-cars","name":"Art Cars"}],"intro":"A racing car can be a canvas, a sculpture or even the starting point for a digital world. Beginning with Alexander Calder’s BMW 3.0 CSL in 1975, the BMW Art Car collection brings together 20 very different answers to the same question: what happens when an artist takes the wheel?","seoDescription":"Explore all twenty BMW Art Cars, beginning with Alexander Calder's 1975 design and tracing how artists transformed racing cars into distinctive works of art.","body":"$3b","cover":"/assets/img/archive/2026/the-history-of-the-bmw-art-cars-cover.jpg","ogImage":"/assets/img/archive/2026/the-history-of-the-bmw-art-cars-cover.jpg","videoId":null,"gallery":[{"title":"#1 Alexander Calder | BMW 3.0 CSL | 1975","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/bmw-art-car-01-alexander-calder.jpg","w":1280,"h":854,"caption":"

The collection began with a car entered at Le Mans. Calder’s blocks of red, blue and yellow seem to push against the coupé’s familiar outline: the doors, wings and bonnet become pieces of one large, moving composition.

"},{"title":"#2 Frank Stella | BMW 3.0 CSL | 1976","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/bmw-art-car-02-frank-stella.jpg","w":1280,"h":854,"caption":"

Stella replaced exuberant colour with the discipline of a grid. Black lines follow every bulge and recess of the white body, making the car look simultaneously solid and transparent, like an engineering drawing that has stepped off the page.

"},{"title":"#3 Roy Lichtenstein | BMW 320i Turbo | 1977","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/bmw-art-car-03-roy-lichtenstein.jpg","w":1280,"h":854,"caption":"

Lichtenstein’s car carries a journey across its own bodywork. Dotted passages and sweeping bands of yellow suggest roadside scenery flashing past; the low, stretched composition makes a parked racing car feel as though it is already accelerating.

"},{"title":"#4 Andy Warhol | BMW M1 | 1979","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/bmw-art-car-04-andy-warhol.jpg","w":1280,"h":854,"caption":"

Warhol painted directly onto the M1, leaving visible brushwork rather than a polished graphic skin. The broad patches of turquoise, red and yellow interrupt the wedge-shaped body. It is an unusually tactile image of speed, with the painter’s hand still plainly present.

"},{"title":"#5 Ernst Fuchs | BMW 635 CSi | 1982","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/bmw-art-car-05-ernst-fuchs.jpg","w":1280,"h":854,"caption":"

Fuchs brought the series onto a production car. Flame-like ribbons run from the nose towards the rear, their hot colours cutting through a deep blue ground. The contrast gives this elegant coupé a theatrical, almost dreamlike intensity.

"},{"title":"#6 Robert Rauschenberg | BMW 635 CSi | 1986","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/bmw-art-car-06-robert-rauschenberg.jpg","w":1280,"h":854,"caption":"

Rauschenberg treated the car as a travelling collage, combining reproductions of artworks with photography. The quiet silver body becomes a frame for pictures: a remarkably different kind of car decoration, inviting a closer look rather than demanding attention through colour.

"},{"title":"#7 Michael Nelson Jagamara | BMW M3 Group A | 1989","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/bmw-art-car-07-michael-nelson-jagamara.jpg","w":1280,"h":854,"caption":"

Jagamara brought an Aboriginal visual language to the M3, drawing on landscapes and Dreaming stories. Dense patterns make the side panels feel continuous rather than separate; even from a distance, the earthy palette offers a striking alternative to conventional racing graphics.

"},{"title":"#8 Ken Done | BMW M3 Group A | 1989","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/bmw-art-car-08-ken-done.jpg","w":1280,"h":854,"caption":"

Parrots and parrotfish informed Done’s exuberant design. Yellow, violet and green collide across the compact racing body, while the looser marks resist its straight edges. Where some Art Cars ask to be decoded, this one offers an immediate burst of pleasure.

"},{"title":"#9 Matazo Kayama | BMW 535i | 1990","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/bmw-art-car-09-matazo-kayama.jpg","w":1280,"h":854,"caption":"

Kayama combined airbrushing with delicate applications of metal leaf. Against the silver saloon, the blue and gold forms read like a landscape seen through changing light. The restrained colour makes its intricate surface especially rewarding to explore slowly.

"},{"title":"#10 César Manrique | BMW 730i | 1990","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/bmw-art-car-10-cesar-manrique.jpg","w":1280,"h":854,"caption":"

Inspired by the natural world of Lanzarote, Manrique used bright, flowing forms to suggest movement. With the doors and bonnet raised, the design changes again: the car appears to unfold into separate painted panels, somewhere between a machine and an oversized toy.

"},{"title":"#11 A.R. Penck | BMW Z1 | 1991","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/bmw-art-car-11-ar-penck.jpg","w":1280,"h":854,"caption":"

Penck covered the red Z1 with a personal vocabulary of signs and figures. The heavy black marks cut across the roadster’s sleek surfaces without respecting the panel lines. Their directness gives the small car the presence of a much larger painting.

"},{"title":"#12 Esther Mahlangu | BMW 525i | 1991","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/bmw-art-car-12-esther-mahlangu.jpg","w":1280,"h":854,"caption":"

The first woman to create a BMW Art Car, Mahlangu translated Ndebele mural painting onto the 525i. Strong black outlines hold the saturated colours together. Viewed across the whole car, the geometry makes an ordinary saloon feel newly architectural.

"},{"title":"#13 Sandro Chia | BMW M3 GTR | 1992","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/bmw-art-car-13-sandro-chia.jpg","w":1280,"h":854,"caption":"

Faces crowd Chia’s M3 GTR, turning every available surface into a place for another gaze. The expressive outlines sit uneasily, and wonderfully, against the purposeful racing shape. Look at the car for long enough and it seems to look back.

"},{"title":"#14 David Hockney | BMW 850 CSi | 1995","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/bmw-art-car-14-david-hockney.jpg","w":1280,"h":854,"caption":"

Hockney imagined the car’s hidden interior becoming visible, including its driver and his dachshund Stanley. The painted anatomy disrupts the usual promise of a pristine outer shell. Green, white and black shapes make the coupé look playfully transparent.

"},{"title":"#15 Jenny Holzer | BMW V12 LMR | 1999","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/bmw-art-car-15-jenny-holzer.jpg","w":1280,"h":854,"caption":"

Holzer put language rather than pictorial imagery at the centre of her design. Large blue statements interrupt the white racing body, asking the viewer to read an object normally understood through speed. The overhead view makes the contrast particularly clear.

"},{"title":"#16 Olafur Eliasson | BMW H2R | 2007","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/bmw-art-car-16-olafur-eliasson.jpg","w":1280,"h":854,"caption":"

Eliasson replaced the hydrogen-powered prototype’s outer body with a structure of metal mesh and ice. This is no longer a painted car but a changing physical environment. Its glowing interior makes the frozen shell feel both protective and profoundly fragile.

"},{"title":"#17 Jeff Koons | BMW M3 GT2 | 2010","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/bmw-art-car-17-jeff-koons.jpg","w":1280,"h":854,"caption":"

Koons gave the M3 GT2 a pattern of racing stripes that seems to explode outwards. Seen head-on, the coloured lines pull the eye towards the grille and headlights. The design turns aerodynamic aggression into something closer to a visual firework.

"},{"title":"#18 Cao Fei | BMW M6 GT3 | 2017","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/bmw-art-car-18-cao-fei.jpg","w":1280,"h":854,"caption":"

Unveiled in 2017, Cao Fei’s contribution joins a black M6 GT3 with film and augmented reality. The light trails shown here belong to that expanded artwork, not a conventional paint scheme. The physical car becomes one element in a larger, partly invisible experience.

"},{"title":"#19 John Baldessari | BMW M6 GTLM | 2016","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/bmw-art-car-19-john-baldessari.jpg","w":1280,"h":854,"caption":"

Baldessari reduced the visual vocabulary to a white ground, coloured shapes and the word FAST. The simplicity is part of the joke: an elaborate racing machine becomes an unusually direct picture of itself. A single red circle suddenly commands the entire front corner.

"},{"title":"#20 Julie Mehretu | BMW M Hybrid V8 | 2024","src":"/assets/img/archive/2026/bmw-art-car-20-julie-mehretu.jpg","w":1280,"h":854,"caption":"

Mehretu used her painting Everywhen as the starting point for the twentieth Art Car. Layered marks and shifting colours wrap around the hybrid racer’s complex surfaces. Rather than simplifying its shape, the artwork makes the machine feel even more restless and difficult to pin down.

"}],"nimg":20,"comments":[],"newSince":"2026-10-15","featured":true,"updatedAt":"2026-10-15T12:00:00+03:00","galleryNumbering":"$undefined","introHtml":"$undefined","vimeoId":"$undefined","extraVideoIds":[]}}]

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