Looking for something different this summer? Why not head to one of the world's weird and wonderful beaches?

We look at some of the most unusual, magnificent and unique beaches, all of which make intriguing destinations in their own surprising way.

Crimson beach at Panjin, China

Located in the Liaohe River Delta, the Red Beach of Panjin can be found in Liaoning, a northeastern province of China. The Red Beach of Panjin is surprising in more than one way. Not only does this beach have no sand, but it's also entirely covered in a special kind of seaweed, which gives rise to its unusual appearance. The seaweed, called sueda, grows from April, starting off green before turning crimson red in the autumn. While some may not think of China as a champion of environmental matters, this site reveals another side to the country and its approach to preservation. A raised wooden walkway has been installed to take visitors on a trail through the reserve, walking above this area of marshland with relative ease and comfort. As you've guessed, this isn't the kind of beach where you can stretch out a towel and go for a dip. It is, however, a spectacular sight to behold and a great destination for photographers.

Kauai glass beach, Hawaii

This green island is a prime destination for nature lovers. And yet, one of its curiosities -- that certain guidebooks refrain from mentioning -- is a beach made up of glass pieces and black sand. Here, the shoreline is covered in small chunks of brown, aqua, clear and blue glass, smoothed by the ocean waves to form sea glass pebbles. While this singular sight is sure to appeal to photographers, keen to capture the colors and reflections from the glass, the origin of this unusual beach is far from glorious. Situated next to a garbage dump, the glass beach was formed as a result of several decades worth of waste being discarded nearby. Nevertheless, it's still an impressive and unusual sight that's worth visiting. Just make sure you only leave with a photo or two.

Sea of glowing blue stars, Maldives

Vaadhoo Island, at the heart of the archipelago, is a paradise island with translucent waters. But visitors above all wait for nightfall to catch sight of an incredible phenomenon. As the sun goes down, the waves lapping the island's shoreline take on a twinkling phosphorescent glow. In fact, tiny little creatures called phytoplankton living in the water create bioluminescence, seen as a blue glow best observed in the dark. These micro-organisms float in the water charging up with electrical impulses all day long. They create a fantastical sea of glowing blue stars, like the night sky reflected in the ocean waves. Like many destinations in the Maldives, this island is also a hotspot for snorkeling and diving, with corals and various forms of marine life to discover.

Swimming with pigs in the Bahamas

While travelers often think of the Bahamas as a place to enjoy clear turquoise waters, they'll no doubt be surprised to learn that it's also a great place to go swimming with pigs. A colony of around 20 feral pink and black pigs live on the otherwise uninhabited island of Big Major Cay. Tourists can easily approach the pigs, who are used to human contact, and even swim alongside them in the sea. In fact, the island's porcine population happens to have excellent swimming skills. These local celebrities are so used to human visitors that they're perfectly tame and aren't considered dangerous. There are several theories about how the pigs ended up on the island. One widely held belief is that they were "stored" on the island by sailors who intended to come back and cook them but who never returned. The island's piggy population has since grown.

Looking for a more romantic island destination? Here are 5 scenic enough to have a beach wedding.