15 Awe-inspiring Natural Phenomena Around The World Worth A Trip

From the flickering lights of the Lapland region to the simultaneous movements of millions of animals, our world is home to extraordinary natural phenomena, that, in my opinion are well worth a plane ticket. If you too would like to enrich your soul with awe-inspiring experiences that will leave you with lifelong memories to share with the people you meet along the way, here’s my personal list (some of which I’ve yet to experience myself).

Save it for later!

1. Northern Lights/Southern Lights

Also known as the Aurora Borealis or Aurora Australis, this natural phenomena is one of the most sought-after in the world, and for good reason: once you’ve witnessed it yourself, I’m pretty sure you won’t regret the unpleasant sensation of numbness in your extremities that follows, believe me.

Watching the lights rip the sky in two and dance before you is quite the memorable experience. But to increase your chances of seeing them and for a more vibrant activity, opt for places like Tasmania in Australia, New Zealand… for the southern hemisphere or the Lapland region for the northern hemisphere between late March and early September.

And if you want a budget option and don’t have a car, one of the greatest places to see them is Abisko. Click here to find out more about this destination!

2. Morning Glory Cloud

No, I’m not talking about the pretty plant of the same name, but about a very special and rare cloud that, when it forms looks like a wave. Pretty cool, isn’t it? So of course, when you hear rare, you wonder “why is it in this post since I probably won’t be lucky enough to see it.”

Think again, as the phenomenon can actually be predicted quite accurately in one part of the world: Australia, more precisely over the Gulf of Carpentaria in Northern Australia between the months of September and October.

The town of Burketown even offers scenic flights to see it up close, so if you ever visit this part of the outback, don’t forget to stop by.

I wish I’d known about this natural phenomena before I left Australia, I guess I’ll have to come back!

3. Salar de Uyuni

I’m pretty sure you’ve already heard of the impressive Salar de Uyuni, and I don’t know about you, but the idea of finding myself on this white salt flat that stretches as far as the eye can see definitely makes it at the top of my adventure list.

With its 10 billions of salt, this gigantic attraction is unsurprisingly very popular, which doesn’t deter me in the least but makes me want to grab a ticket to Bolivia right away.

And while we travelers can only wonder at this magnificent glistening salt flat, the locals are actually more interested in the lithium found beneath the white blanket, which represents the world’s largest lithium reserves.

4. Cherry Blossoms

I know some of you may think it doesn’t deserve to be on this list, but let me prove you wrong, because there’s something beautiful and even magical in this ephemeral natural phenomena that paint cities in their soft pink hues.

The proof is that many countries like South Korea, Japan… have even turned the blossoming into festivals where people gather and eat, drink cherry-themed food and attend fun events.

In Japan, simply observing the fleeting beauty of the cherry blossoms has a name, “Hanami”, where people meet to picnic under one of these trees with family, couple or friends.

A rather romantic sight, if you ask me!

Planning a trip to South Korea in late March or early April? Check out my 10 wonderful places to admire the cherry blossoms!

5. Glow worms

Scared about finding yourself in a dark cave and encountering unexpected creatures? Fear not, glow worms are there to light your way and awe you at the same time. You better like damp, spooky caves, because that’s where you’ll most likely encounter them, though.

Of course, you can head to the famous Waitomo Caves to see them, but you can also access this spectacular experience for free if you’re in Australia or New Zealand. Just find a dark tunnel, turn off your flashlight and you’ll soon see these curious, glowing little creatures.

My own free experience took place around Franz Josef Glacier, on Terrace Walk, but you can also head to the Tatare Tunnels Walk if you’re in the area.

6. The Serengeti Migration

Want to see millions of wildebeest, zebras and other animals migrate across Kenya and Tanzania? Then there’s surely no better natural phenomena than the Serengeti Migration.

In search of better food and water, this event follows a particular pattern connected to rainfall, making it easily predictable over the course of the year.

But while the sight of millions of animals treading the plains is exceptional, it’s also sad, as many wildebeest die every year, either from predators lying in wait, drowning or fatigue.

7. Bioluminescent beaches

I’ve seen pretty, colorful corals and other aquatic creatures but I’ve never yet had the chance to see these beautiful bioluminescent plankton that give the sea that distinct, dazzling blue color at night.

The plankton, also known as Dinoflagellates (please help me pronounce it) produce their own luciferin, which is a chemical producing light, and so the microscopic organism creates this fascinating phenomenon that I just had to include in my list.

Some of the beaches/bay where bioluminescence can be observed include Jervis Bay in Australia, Mosquito Bay in Puerto Rico, Vaahdoo Island in The Maldives and many more.

Search and see how many places in the world feature this mesmerizing glow: it’s surprising!

8. Laguna Colorada

After the white and blue colors highlighted in this post, let’s add a red or reddish-pink hue and return to Bolivia and its Laguna Colorada or Red Lagoon.

The distinctive color of this natural phenomena is, in fact, created by the algae that live inside its shallow waters. It’s also the ideal place if you want to see flocks of different species of flamingos, attracted by the delicious an abundant plankton. One thing’s for sure, flamingos blend in quite easily with their surroundings, don’t you think?

However, it’s best to plan your trip in winter (from May to October) to have a better chance of seeing them!

If you’re interested in blood-colored or Barbie lakes, you can also opt for the famous Lake Hillier in Australia or Lake Natron in Tanzania!

9. The Sailing Stones of Death Valley

Rocks gliding across a dry lake on their own, leaving trails behind them as if moved by supernatural forces? This is what can be observed at The Racetrack, in the Death Valley, USA.

The mystery, which has now been solved, is based on several elements: rain, ice and wind. In a place that’s as dry as can be, and where rain is scarce, the phenomenon actually occurs on cold, rainy winter nights, when layers of ice form after the rain, which then melt and carry rocks along with them, helped by the wind.

And that’s how a phenomenon that sounds like something out of a fiction novel actually has a scientific and natural origin.

The fact that it’s happening in one of the most inhospitable places on Earth just adds a little of thrill, I guess. But who ever said no to a bit of adventure? Not me, that’s for sure!

10. Penitentes

Deserts and ice are a bit like water and oil – you’d never think they’d go well together, or even that it’s possible. But what if I told you that you can actually see special snow formations in the Atacama Desert in Chile? That sounds pretty surprising and amazing, isn’t it?

The Penitentes, or Penitents once translated from Spanish, are named like that because of their resemblance to the worshippers kneeling in penitence. But what about these strange ice formations that appear our of nowhere, you might ask?

The explanation is simple, at least for those who like physics. The process known as “sublimation” is where a substance turns directly into vapor before it even reaches the liquid stage.

Here, the sun first shines on the snow, which in turn doesn’t melt but transform to vapor (the sublimation), causing depressions, crevices in the ice eventually looking like these bizarre, spiky ridges.

The unique landscapes of the region are already on my list of hiking adventure, so I wouldn’t mind seeing such a curious but beautiful natural phenomena. What do you think?

11. Firefall

I came across this natural curiosity when I was once looking at videos on my phone of weird but natural events around the world and thought: “Wow, that’s impressive and wonderful! I’d definitely love to see that one day!”

Firefall or Horsetail Fall (its real name) in Yosemite National Park gives the impression that lava is flowing down the valley, when in reality the orange color is simply given off by the rays of the sun. This event, very popular among photographers and travelers around the world, is quite rare, as it only occurs in mid-to-late February at sunset, and only if the right conditions are met: clear sky and the sun has to hit the waterfall at a right angle.

But if you’re lucky, I’d say the wait in the cold in the middle of winter is well worth it!

12. Grand Canyon

Let’s stay a bit longer in the USA and add the Grand Canyon to the list of awe-inspiring natural phenomena that many people, myself included, would love to see at least once in their lives.

For as long as I can remember, the Grand Canyon (considered one of the seven natural wonders of the world) has always been part of my dreams because, let’s be honest, a landscape as spectacular as this one isn’t to be found on every street corner.

When you think that the Colorado River, the erosion of its waters and the rocks it carried in its wake actually carved the magnificent colorful canyon millions of years ago, it’s kind of crazy. Yet, it would seem that the story of its creation doesn’t end there, as some scientists claim that some features of the Grand Canyon are still brimming with secrets and mysteries.

Another Area 51, perhaps?

13. Victoria Falls

I’ve seen pretty waterfalls, lots of them, mostly around Asia, but when I discovered Victoria Falls (or Mosi-oa-Tunya) while searching for the “most beautiful waterfalls in the world” I kind of reconsidered my position on the subject a little.

But where are the Victoria Falls located? An interesting question, since the falls are actually located in both Zimbabwe and Zambia, pretty much forming a natural border between the two countries. Each side offers different advantages, but thanks to the ease of crossing the border, you’ll have no excuse not to see both sides if you visit the area.

Anyway, the beautiful and powerful waterfalls and their thundering waters are nothing short of impressive, to say the least.

For the best experience, it’s best to visit between February and May!

14. Sea Turtles Hatchling

Because I love the sea world, and because witnessing the birth of new life is always fascinating, I couldn’t leave the sea turtle hatchling off this list.

Seeing baby turtles hatch from their eggs and emerge into the world before making their way to the ocean is probably a sight you won’t see every day. One that is touching but also extraordinary!

A word of caution: stay away from these cute little creatures, watch your step and observe the hatching from a safe distance!

To find out where the best beaches to watch the hatching are, you can consult this world map here!

15. The Milky Way

I wanted to end this post with one of the easiest natural phenomena to observe anywhere in the world, and one that doesn’t require you to buy a plane ticket to enjoy its beauty: the Milky Way.

The sky filled with millions of stars, the white Great Rift dividing space and stretching across an ocean of sparkling lights, will leave you in awe and wondering what lies beyond our little galaxy, whether aliens, nothingness or other humans living on other planets, who knows?

All you need is a clear sky, a moonless night in a secluded area, free from polluting light – that’s all!

Any other natural phenomena you’ve seen or would love to see one day? Feel free to share them in the comments!

Ready to hit the road? Here’s my list of 15 of the world’s best road trip destinations!

Love it? Feel free to share it!