16 of the Top Natural Wonders for Stunning Instagram Photos

Maui has plenty of waterfalls, but Twin Falls is one of this Hawaiian island’s most popular cascades. Bonus: You can swim under this one, which makes for great photos. This waterfall is well situated along the Hana Highway, aka Road to Hana. You’ll need to pull over, park your vehicle, and take a short walk to reach the falls but once you do, the views are worth it. Make it a multi-stop journey and see other stellar sights on the route such as Wai'anapanapa State Park, Pua'a Ka'a State Wayside Park, and Ke'anae Peninsula.

Mariposa Grove in Yosemite is a Sequoia haven. Here, you’ll find dozens of redwood trees for close-up snaps, including the most famous Sequoia tree of all: the Grizzly Giant Tree. Make it a full-day activity, learning about the history and ecology of the world’s tallest trees at the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza before embarking on a 4-mile (6-kilometer) hike to reach these green giants. Or, for a quick photo op, park at a nearby lot just a few steps away from the grove. Don’t have your own wheels? Take a day trip from San Francisco, California, with a stop at Yosemite’s famed Bridalveil Fall along the way.

Related: 2 Days in Yosemite National Park for First Timers

If Sequoias aren’t your thing, stroll along a walkway that winds through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, a dense bamboo forest trail nestled within Arashiyama Park in Kyoto. The short walk promises impressive views through what seems like never-ending greenery. It makes the perfect spot for that special photo—cue the bamboo-inspired Instagram captions. Pair your pics with a walk through Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine and its UNESCO–listed red torii gates, another favorite in Japan.

Insider tip: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is open 24 hours a day, but it typically sees fewer crowds in the early mornings and during sunset hours.

For a travel photo that will captivate your followers, the salt flats of Salar de Uyuni are the largest of its kind in Bolivia, stretching more than 6,500 miles (10,460 kilometers) in the Altiplano. During the rainy season (December–April), the Uyuni salt flats transform into “The World's Largest Mirror.” Due to the thin layer of water that pools on top of the salt, Salar de Uyuni and the skyline blend into one giant reflective phenomenon. Make the journey by bus from La Paz or, for the ultimate experience, stay at a nearby salt hotel where everything—yes everything—is constructed of salt.

Insider tip: Capture images of nearby natural wonders like Valle de Rocas, a valley full of rock formations, and Sol de Mañana, a geothermal spot with erupting geysers.

Although not technically a natural wonder in general terms, Keukenhof Gardens is home to 7 million blooming springtime bulbs—including 800 different species of tulips—along with scattered sculptures and other works of art. Taking photos among 79 acres (32 hectares) of flowers tops the list of Insta-worthy destinations in the Netherlands. Spend a day on a guided tour from Amsterdam, go for a bike ride among the blooms, or combine a windmill cruise with entry to the flower bulb fields.

If monochrome is more your vibe, Southeastern France is world famous for its lavender fields. Consider the endless rows of purple at the Provence lavender fields in the Valensole Plateau, just one among three major plateaus where you can find these aromatic flowers (the others are the Sault and Luberon plateaus). Visit around late June through July before the last harvest takes place, and you’ll find rows and rows of these Mediterranean perennials. If you’re planning on staying a while, visit the annual Sault Lavender Festival, which takes place in mid-August to commemorate the year’s final harvest. Book a private guide for the day or opt for a guided tour with photo stops from Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, or Marseille.

Alas, it wouldn’t be a list of natural wonders without the northern lights. There are numerous places in Iceland where you can observe this spectacular light display—Vik, Akureyri, and Thingvellir National Park, among them. But Reykjavik is the most popular. In this capital city, you’ll find elevated spots that are just far enough from the city lights to permit optimal viewing. Choose among aurora borealis itineraries that take place in or depart from Reykjavik. Whether you’re looking for a northern lights yacht cruise, jeep tour, or coach tour, there’s something for everyone.

Related: Know Before You Go: How To See the Northern Lights in Iceland

Often referred to as the “Armenian Stonehenge,” this prehistoric archaeological site is just as mysterious, but with fewer crowds. Karahunge is considered one of the oldest of its kind, and its purpose still baffles scientists and visitors to this day. The site contains 200 vertical standing stones, many of which have holes in them. The Armenian word kar means stone and hunge means sound, so roughly translated karahunge means “speaking stones”—and for a good reason. On windy days, these stones in southern Armenia can be heard emitting whistling sounds. Combine your photo shoot with a guided visit to nearby Shaki Waterfall.

Nothing says dedication quite like traveling to Australia’s Northern Territory, aka Top End. Snap the perfect photo in front of one of the world’s largest monoliths, a UNESCO–listed landmark estimated to be around 550 million years old. For the Pitjantjatjara Anangu—the Aboriginal people who are indigenous to this region—Uluru is considered sacred and holds special cultural significance. Uluru's caves and the surrounding area have been used by the Anangu for tens of thousands of years, with petroglyphs and other rock art as proof. View the World Heritage site by Segway, book an Uluru scenic flight or a sunrise tour, or combine a sunset BBQ with a look around Kata Tjuta.

Related: 3 Days at Uluru for First Timers

This one is for all the people who know that pink never truly goes out of style. This lake’s bubblegum-colored waters are thanks to algae that thrive off its high salt content, producing pink carotenoids to aid them with photosynthesis when the weather conditions are just right. Ultimately, this leads to the lake’s rose-colored hue. Your best chance to witness this natural wonder is during the warmer months when salt levels are high, temperatures are warm, and rainfall is minimal. The lake in Melbourne returns to its normal color once the weather begins to cool down and rainfall increases.

Located about a 2-day drive from Marrakech, the red dune landscape of the Sahara Desert, better known as Erg Chebbi, is simply magical. Most tours to Erg Chebbi include stops at Berber villages, oases, and famous movie sites of Morocco. There’s also plenty to do once you get to the desert itself, including overnight stays at luxury campsites, camel trekking, desert sand boarding, and more. The best time to snap a photo is during sunset when the sun illuminates the sand and settles behind the dunes. While the desert can get extremely hot during the day, temperatures can drop to near freezing when night falls, so be sure to pack accordingly.

At about 1 million acres (404,685 hectares), the Atchafalaya Basin of Louisiana is the largest floodplain swamp in the US. Visitors come from all over to witness this remarkable wetland, which is home to roughly 65 species of reptiles and amphibians, 100 species of fish, and 250 different types of birds. Many endangered species, such as the Florida panther, peregrine falcon, and ivory-billed woodpecker, also call this National Wildlife Refuge home. Charter an airboat tour or paddle a kayak in the basin, and be sure to have your camera handy.

This Maya cenote, or freshwater swimming hole, near Valladolid, is one of the most photogenic on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Not to mention, accessing it is an adventure in and of itself. Visitors descend through a tunnel to find a huge cave with a beautiful pool of crystal-clear turquoise water, the result of falling limestone exposing the groundwater. Throughout the cave, you’ll see icicle-shaped stalactite formations. There’s also an opening in the ceiling, which allows sunlight to poke through, casting a beautiful glistening hue over the water below. Combine it with a tour of nearby Chichen Itza for more photos.

Near the Farafra depression in Western Egypt, White Desert National Park is known for its blinding chalk-white rock formations and pale sands. Once an ocean floor, the White Desert dates back millions of years, with white spires and pinnacles composed of ancient crustaceans and sea life. Today, the wind has shaped them into unique, photo-worthy shapes. The landscape is best photographed at sunrise or sunset, or even at night when the moonlight casts a ghostly hue, giving it an icy, arctic-like appearance. Located about six hours away from Cairo, an overnight camping trip extends this remote, off-the-beaten-path adventure.

If it’s red sand beaches you’re after, then Red Beach in Santorini is an idyllic retreat. Red Beach is famous for its deep turquoise waters, vermilion sands, and the red volcanic cliffs that engulf its shores. Accessible by boat or on foot, it’s a popular summer destination among tourists. Buses departing from the nearby village of Fira provide local transportation to the beach several times per day. Alternatively, customize your itinerary or book a catamaran cruise with a stop on shore.

Insider tip: Plan on taking a dip in the inviting waters of Red Beach? Swimming shoes are recommended, as the shores are covered with tiny pebbles and sea urchins have been reported in the area.

Diamond Beach takes black sands to an entirely different level. Aside from its charcoal-colored sands—which can be attributed to Iceland’s volcanic and geothermal activity—this beach in Vatnajokull National Park is known for large pieces of ice washing up on its shores. Hence, its name, Diamond Beach. The icebergs come from the nearby Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, where chunks of ice break off the glacier and drift out to sea. While this beach is not ideal for sunbathing, it makes a gem of an Instagram photo. Another option: explore a glasslike ice cave.