OBSERVER: Seven beautiful beaches from space

Summer is here for most of us, bringing with it the warmth of the season, and for many of us, the lure of the sea. 

In this week's Copernicus Observer, they are taking you on a visual journey to seven stunning beaches, captured through the lens of the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites. Sentinel-2 acquires detailed multispectral images of our Earth using 13 spectral bands, including visible, near-infrared, and shortwave infrared. Data from Sentinel-2 unlocks a wealth of information about our planet, from urban areas to natural landscapes such as forests and coastal zones. Whether you're planning your next beach holiday or just want to explore stunning coastlines from above, join us as we dive into 7 breath-taking visuals brought to us by Copernicus.

Faro and Ria Formosa Lagoon, Portugal

The Ria Formosa lagoon is a protected wetland in Portugal's southern Algarve region. 

A maze of marshes, channels and islands, stretching for some 60 km of coastline, it covers a total of 18,000 hectares. It is a dynamic system, constantly changing with the movement of winds, currents, and tides. The Ria Formosa is also very popular with birdwatchers, as it is considered one of the most important habitats for aquatic birds in Portugal. Many species of migratory waterbirds from northern Europe spend the winter there or use the Ria as a stopover point on their route towards areas further to the south. Estimates suggest that the region hosts around 20,000 birds during the winter.

In this true-colour visualisation, it is possible to see the lagoon and the waterways of the wetland, as well as the golden sandy beaches along the coast. These beaches are a must-see for beach lovers, having won a World Travel Awards as the World's Leading Beach Destination on two occasions.

Tahiti, French Polynesia

In this crystal-clear, true-colour image acquired by Copernicus Sentinel-2 this summer, we can see the precious turquoise coral reefs of Tahiti, the largest island in French Polynesia.

From 27 July to 5 August 2024, the village of Teahupoʻo, famous for its surf break and big waves, hosted the surfing competitions of the 2024 Olympic Games.

Now that the Games have ended, the Olympic Village, which was based on temporary facilities modelled on traditional Polynesian houses known as 'farés', will be relocated and converted into social housing for the benefit of local communities.

Montevideo, Uruguay

In Montevideo, Uruguay, the beaches are not only beautiful—their environmental management system is ISO certified.

Montevideo is famous for its beaches, which can be seen to the east of the city. The Rambla de Montevideo, the city's famous promenade, stretches for 27 km along the coast.

Since 2005, Montevideo has implemented the ISO14001:2015 standard for environmental management systems to protect its coastal areas. The city has created artificial dunes on urban beaches to ensure both environmental protection and coastal stability, helping to protect areas from erosion. 

With these initiatives, the Uruguayan capital city clearly demonstrates its commitment to the sustainable management of coastal natural resources. If you're looking for an eco-friendly beach holiday, Montevideo could be a perfect choice.

San Bernardo Archipelago, Colombia

The San Bernardo Archipelago is a group of nine coastal coral islands and one artificial island governed by Colombia, is located in the Caribbean Sea and is famous for its pristine white sand beaches and transparent turquoise waters. The archipelago, visible in this true colour image acquired by one of the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites, is a popular destination for tourists due to its stunning natural beauty.

Beyond its beaches, the archipelago is home to a rich diversity of marine species, including various species of turtles, fish, crustaceans, and notably, vibrant coral reefs. These coral reefs are an important part of the archipelago’s marine ecosystem, providing habitats for a wide range of species. However, they face significant challenges as a consequence of climate change. According to a recent national biodiversity assessment in Colombia, by 2100, it is estimated that 35.3% of corals in the Colombian coastal zone will be exposed to sea temperatures above 28.9°C, with corals in the San Bernardo Archipelago being among the most affected. Temperatures in this range are very close to the threshold above which corals begin to experience stress and could be subject to bleaching events, which would mean a significant loss of marine habitat.

The Copernicus Marine Service (CMEMS) provides many relevant variables needed to monitor the marine environment, such as salinity, sea surface temperature, sea water pH, and turbidity. With this data, scientists can assess anthropogenic pressures on specific areas and investigate potential declines in species in places like the San Bernardo Archipelago.

Corfu Island, Greece

Surely a list of beautiful beaches had to include the incredible coastlines of Greece. This true-colour Sentinel-2 image shows the southwestern corner of Corfu Island, with the Korission Lagoon in darker tones.

The lagoon has fresh water and is separated from the sea by sand dunes. These conditions make the site a hotspot of biodiversity with a very high level of species richness. 

Corfu is also an award-winning holiday destination. It won the World Travel Awards as Europe's Leading Beach Destination ten years ago and now welcomes thousands of tourists from all over the world. It's such a popular destination that even 007 has paid it a visit. In John Glen's 1981 film, For Your Eyes Only, the fictional spy visits the Greek island in search of a lost encryption device.

Denmark, Møns Klint

For those preferring a slightly cooler climate, there are also options such as Møns Klint in Denmark. 

Møns Klint is a 6km stretch of limestone and chalk cliffs located on the eastern coast of the Danish Island of Møns. These cliffs, formed during the last Ice Age, include the highest cliff in Denmark, Dronningestolen, meaning "The Queen's Chair", which stands 128 metres above sea level.

The image below is a true-colour composite 3D rendering of imagery acquired by one of the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites. It highlights the rich textures and colours of the landscape, which is home to many different species of plants and flowers.

Tarpum Bay, Bahamas

Although you can't see the beach itself here, this image shows a spectacular natural phenomenon worthy of inclusion in our list.

Sometimes the ocean waves and currents carve out underwater sand dunes, a phenomenon that occurs in places such as the Bahamas. These dunes are formed from sand that originates from the erosion of limestone coral reefs, which is then shaped by the ocean dynamics into striking underwater formations.

This true colour image, acquired by one of the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites, shows the carbonate sand dunes in the shallow waters of Tarpum Bay, southwest of Eleuthera Island.

Eleuthera is a long, thin island in the Bahamas known for its many beaches. One of the most interesting landmarks in the area is the Glass Window Bridge, a narrow bridge that connects North Eleuthera to the rest of the island. It sits high above the ocean, with the Caribbean Sea on one side and the deep blue Atlantic on the other. The contrast of the water is incredible to behold and well worth a visit.

Source:

Seven beautiful beaches from space. (2024, August 29). Copernicus Observer.