SANDOLOGY
EVER WONDERED WHAT MAKES THE PERFECT BEACH? DAMON SYSON GETS OUT HIS MICROSCOPE TO TAKE A GEEKY LOOK AT THE SCIENCE OF SAND
1 BEACHES DECONSTRUCTED: AYIA NAPA
Cyprus has more than 650km of coastline, but the beaches around Ayia Napa are among the best loved on the island. Fig Tree Bay (20 minutes from the resort) is the most famous, while in Ayia Napa itself, the most popular is Nissi beach, a 500m-long stretch visited mainly by clubbers and young people. But look out for the pelicans – they can be really fierce!
THE SAND: Ayia Napa is famed for its golden sandy beaches. The deep yellow colour is caused by iron impurities in the quartz crystals of the sand.
THE WATER: The temperature of the sea here ranges from around 16°C in the winter to around 28°C during summertime. These waters are teeming with marine life. In the shallow rocky areas you can find colourful peacock and rainbow wrasses, two-banded bream, and small parrot fish. Green and loggerhead turtles used to lay their eggs on Ayia Napa’s beaches and can still be found in the area.
THE WEATHER: The peak summer months see average daily highs of 32°C, while in June and September it’s only slightly cooler at 30°C.
There is practically no rain during the summer months.
DID YOU KNOW? Cape Greco – a 10-minute drive from the centre of Ayia Napa – is home to the legendary Ayia Napa Sea Monster, which supposedly resembles a cross between a porpoise and dragon.
AS ANY ARENOPHILE (THAT’S A ARTISTS CREATED A GIGANTIC ‘SAND CARPET’, MEASURING 12,000M2.
THE PERSIAN GULF WAS CREATED USING 70 DIFFERENT SHADES OF COLOURED SAND
SAND IS FORMED BY THE GRADUAL WEATHERING AND DECOMPOSITION OF IGNEOUS, SEDIMENTARY, OR METAMORPHIC ROCKS.
ITS COMPOSITION VARIES DEPENDING ON THE LOCAL ROCK SOURCES AND CONDITIONS. THE MOST COMMON SAND IS MAINLY MADE UP OF THE MINERALS QUARTZ AND FELDSPAR
AS ANY ARENOPHILE (THAT’S A SAND-COLLECTOR TO YOU OR ME) WILL TELL YOU, THERE’S MORE TO SAND THAN MEETS THE EYE. A SAND GRAIN MEASURES BETWEEN 0.06MM AND 2.0MM. ANY SMALLER AND IT’S CLASSED AS SILT OR CLAY. ANY LARGER AND IT’S OFFICIALLY A PEBBLE
IN AN AVERAGE BEACH BUCKET YOU’LL FIND ABOUT 3,500,000,000 GRAINS OF SAND
GLASS IS MADE BY MELTING DOWN SILICA WHICH IS FOUND IN SAND IN THE FORM OF QUARTZ
2 BEACHES DECONSTRUCTED: TORREMOLINOS
Situated on Spain’s famous Costa del Sol, Torremolinos’ beaches stretch for around 7km, with moderate waves and fine to medium grade grey sand. The most popular beaches in the area are Playamar (measuring 1km by 45m), Bajondillo (1100m by 30m), La Carihuela (2100m by 60m) and Los Alamos (950m by 50m).
THE SAND: The sand found on this stretch of coastline is volcanic, meaning that it is high in iron and aluminium, as these elements are found in lava. Volcanic sand tends to be darker in colour. Black sands, such as those found in Hawaii, are composed of particles of obsidian, a naturally occuring black glass formed by volcanic activity. THE WATER: Forty years ago, Torremolinos was a sleepy fishing village and the Mediterranean waters of this region still abound with marine life – such as sardines, tuna, bass, bream and even certain species of shark (notably blue and mako). Swordfish are also found off this coast between July and September.
THE WEATHER: Sheltered by the imposing mountains of the Sierra de Mijas, Torremolinos has a favourable micro-climate, offering over 325 days of sunny weather each year, and an average of 12 hours of sunshine each day in the summertime. Temperatures during the peak season (in June and July) fall between 29°C and 30°C, with the average August temperature reaching 32°C.
DID YOU KNOW? Bajondillo Beach is famed for its amazing sand sculptures created by the local hippies.
THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN SAND SCULPTURE ARE HELD ANNUALLY IN HARRISON HOT SPRINGS IN CANADA. THE COMPETITION HAS SOLO, DOUBLE AND TEAM CATEGORIES
SAND CAN SOMETIMES CONTAIN PRECIOUS GEMSTONES. THE SAND OFF THE COAST OF NAMIBIA (IN SOUTH-WESTERN AFRICA) CONTAINS RAW DIAMONDS
THE RECORD FOR WORLD’S TALLEST SAND CASTLE IS HELD BY ED JARRETT WHOSE 9.6M-HIGH CASTLE TO THE SUN WAS ERECTED IN CASCO, MAINE, IN SEPTEMBER 2007
3 BEACHES DECONSTRUCTED: IBIZA
Take your pick from over 60 fantastic beaches dotted along the island’s 210km of coastline, ranging from the wide open sandy beaches of the south-west, to intimate coves and bays of the north and west coast.
THE SAND: You’ll find gorgeous white quartz sand on most of the beaches on Ibiza, but the finest, whitest sand is found on neighbouring Formentera – a 30-minute sea shuttle from Ibiza town – where the sand dunes and sparkling waters are the closest thing to the Caribbean you’ll find in the whole of the Med.
THE WEATHER: The geographic position of the smaller Islas Pitiusas (or Pine Islands) shelters Ibiza and ensures a temperate climate throughout the year, while its close proximity of Africa accounts for the mild winters. One of the most notable climatic features is the lack of variation between day and nighttime temperatures on the island.
THE WATER: Calm, turquoise and warm – between 25°C and 27°C during the summer months. Ibiza is famed for its underwater meadows of Posidonia oceanica, or Neptune grass.
DID YOU KNOW? Es Vedra, the dramatic-looking rock poking out of the sea off Cala d’Hort, is said to be the home of the mythical Sirens, whose beautiful song once lured sailors to their doom. Some also claim it is the tip of Atlantis, while Ibizan new age types are convinced it’s an ancient landing place for intergalactic travellers.
BEACHES DECONSTRUCTED: MENORCA
Menorca is 50km long and 16km across, with 200km of coastline. Stretching for around 2km, Son Bou is the longest and probably the most beautiful of Menorca’s beaches. For the more intrepid, there’s Cala Pregonda. Known as the jewel of Menorca, this stunning bay has clear waters and a backdrop of pine and tamarisk woods.
THE SAND: Geologically, Menorca is an island of two halves. The northern coast is very rugged, whereas the southern coast tends to be flatter, with large expanses of sandy beach. You’ll find soft white sand in the south, and more golden-coloured sands in the north. On certain beaches, such as Cala en Pilar and Binigaus, the sand is pink. Unlike in the Bahamas, where pink sand is caused by fragments of coral, the colour here is due to large amounts of feldspar from the local sandstone.
THE WEATHER: A classic Mediterranean climate – wet winters and warm (average temp, 29°C), dry summers. But look out for the infamous Tramuntana – a prevailing northerly wind that has given Menorca its nickname – the “windy island”.
THE WATER: Menorca is particularly noted for its crystal-clear water – perfect for snorkelling.
DID YOU KNOW? The island is famous for its megalithic stone monuments, which are evidence of very early prehistoric human activity. More recent visitors include the Royal Navy in the 18th Century – the island still has many gin distilleries set up to supply British sailors.
“WELL, I STAND UP NEXT TO A MOUNTAIN, AND I CHOP IT DOWN WITH THE EDGE OF MY HAND, I PICK UP ALL THE PIECES, AND MAKE AN ISLAND, MIGHT EVEN RAISE A LITTLE SAND” JIMI HENDRIX (VOODOO CHILD)
QUARTZ SAND PARTICLES ARE COLOURLESS, FELDSPAR SAND HAS A PINK OR AMBER COLOUR. LOTS OF QUARTZ WILL PRODUCE A SHINY WHITE STRAND. LOTS OF FELDSPAR WILL FORM A BEACH WHICH IS MORE ORANGE-COLOURED.YOU CAN EVEN FIND GREEN BEACH SANDS MADE UP OF THE GREEN MINERAL, OLIVINE
SOME SANDS CAN ‘SING’, MAKING A NOISE SIMILAR TO DRUMS, AIRCRAFT OR EVEN ORGANS WHEN BLOWN BY THE WIND. THIS RARE SAND CREATES SOUND WAVES CAUSED BY FRICTION BETWEEN THE GRAINS. SINGING SAND IS BECOMING HARDER TO FIND AS MODERN POLLUTION COATS THE PARTICLES AND DESTROYS THEIR ABILITY TO PRODUCE SOUND
“LET NOT THE SANDS OF TIME GET IN YOUR LUNCH” NATIONAL LAMPOON
BEACHES DECONSTRUCTED: MAJORCA
Majorca boasts well over 200 beaches, ranging from quaint little deserted coves to sprawling urban beaches, serving popular holiday resorts. Fine white sand is rarely ever more than a stone’s throw away.
THE SAND: Majorca’s limestone geology means an abundance of rocky cliffs and sandy coves. The sand is fine to medium and generally a bright white colour. THE WEATHER: Semi tropical. It can get windy but if the northern coast is hit by a northerly front, the beaches on the southern coast will probably still be quite calm.
THE WATER: Crystal clear and warm. You may spot the occasional dolphin. Sadly, fresh water is not as abundant on the island.
DID YOU KNOW? Robert Graves, the English poet and novelist, best known for his book, I, Claudius, holidayed in the Majorcan town of Deia and ended up spending the rest of his life there. “I found everything I wanted as a writer,” he said. “Sun, sea, mountains, spring-water, shady trees, no politics, and a few civilised luxuries such as electric light.”
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