You’ve heard of white-sand seashores, black-sand seashores, and even seashores coated in pebbles or rocks—however do you know there’s a seaside in Spain coated in popcorn-like “sand”? In the event you enterprise to Playa del Bajo de la Burra (which loosely interprets to “seaside of the donkey’s underbelly”) on the northern coast of Fuerteventura, the second largest of the Canary Islands, you’ll get to expertise this pure phenomenon in individual. Notably, there are additionally different seashores close by, like Playa del Hierro, which have comparable “popcorn” options.

Generally known as “Popcorn Seaside,” Playa del Bajo de la Burra has repeatedly gone viral for its photo-worthy sand, which, at first look, seems similar to the long-lasting movie show snack, albeit with out a healthy dose of butter. Not like the edible model, nevertheless, this popcorn shouldn’t be eaten. And as tempted as you could be to carry a little bit of it house as a memento, it’s greatest to go away it the place (and the way) you discovered it.

Popcorn Seaside’s Well-known Sand

Playa del Bajo de la Burra’s popcorn sand isn’t your typical sand. In line with Canary Islands Tourism, it’s manufactured from a mix of “calcareous algae and white sand over a interval of no less than 50 years.” These formations are also referred to as rhodoliths, which, because of weathering and the solar, are porous and comparatively arduous. The positioning additionally notes that rhodoliths develop underwater at a fee of 1 millimeter per 12 months, and a few are over 4,000 years previous.

A 2022 scientific examine that appeared in Frontiers in Marine Science defined their look within the following means: “Rhodoliths happen extensively across the shores of Fuerteventura Island within the Canary Archipelago, with Lithothamnion cf. corallioides being essentially the most distinguished species. A lot of rhodoliths find yourself washed onshore, the particles from which contributes to the formation of sediments constituting trendy seashores.” The authors additionally added that “the expansion, geographic distribution, and sustainability of rhodoliths are managed by a number of components, of which mild, temperature, sedimentation, hydrodynamic regime, existence of marine boundaries, and abundance of corals are important.”

And keep in mind, there’s a vital purpose why you shouldn’t take away any of the sand from the seaside. “Rhodoliths are essential for the institution and upkeep of biodiversity and, thus, contribute to main ecosystem features,” the examine states, and the authors request “a conscientious effort within the safety and upkeep of those useful organic assets.” The examine additionally cites the “substantial quantity of rhodoliths” which can be “faraway from the seashores,” inflicting a “menace to those ecosystems, because the particles of lifeless rhodoliths contributes tremendously to the sediments that type the up to date seashores.”

So be happy to take loads of images, however not the rhodoliths themselves.

Visiting Popcorn Seaside

Playa del Bajo de la Burra isn’t the kind of seaside the place you go to sunbathe and swim. There are not any loungers or umbrellas, and the water isn’t recognized to be notably nice for a dip; previous vacationers share that the waves may be tough and “too harmful” for swimming. As an alternative, you’re restricted to walks, scenic picnics, and, in fact, capturing all of the content material. When you’ve checked seeing the popcorn sand off your listing, spend your time exploring the remainder of  Fuerteventura—or retreat to the tiny adults-only Casa Montelongo (a 30-minute drive from the northern coast).  

There’s technically no unhealthy time to go to Playa del Bajo de la Burra, nevertheless it’s really helpful to make the trek to the seaside within the early morning if you wish to keep away from different vacationers. The months of April to June and September to November are additionally whenever you’ll usually expertise good climate within the space. 

Tips on how to Get to Popcorn Seaside

Corralejo, situated within the municipality of La Oliva, is the closest city to Popcorn Seaside. You’ll be able to attain the seaside on foot, and the journey will take you no less than an hour, if no more. There’s additionally the choice to drive to Popcorn Seaside, though many vacationers who’ve accomplished the drive share that it’s “only a dust highway, so [it] is perhaps a bit of bumpy experience till you attain the seaside,” and “entry is tedious.”