View of Heart Island, Galesnjak, Croatia. The privately-owned island is one of the world’s few naturally occurring heart-shaped objects. (paulprescott72/Thinkstock)
Mother Nature has a romantic side and it shows in these spectacular natural displays of hearts all over the world. This Valentine’s Day, explore the stunning heart-shaped islands, lakes and other natural wonders dotting the Earth — from a sun-drenched island resort in Fiji to a small lake high in the Swiss Alps.
- Galesnjak, Croatia
Located in the deep-blue waters of the Adriatic Sea, the private, heart-shaped island of Galesnjak, located in Zadarski Kanal between Zadar and the Island of Pasman in Croatia, came to the attention of romantics everywhere via Google Earth. It wasn’t long before the owner of the uninhabited island was swamped with requests from couples to stay there, according to the Telegraph. As the most perfectly heart-shaped island in the world, Galesnjak, also known as Lover’s Island, may serve as a romantic wedding venue (the island is available for bookings). But it won’t be convenient: The tiny island is completely deserted, containing only wild vegetation and untouched beech forest, according to the official website.
- Tupai, French Polynesia
It’s a common misconception that Tahiti is a heart-shaped island. But what many people may have been referring to is the heart-shaped atoll of Tupai in the island chain of Tahiti. For years, visitors (mostly couples) to French Polynesia only had the opportunity to fly Tupai via helicopter but Air Tahiti now offers flights to and from the island, according to GoTahiti.com. Tupai, about 11 miles to the north of Bora Bora, is fast becoming a popular wedding (and engagement) spot, with aerial tours and diving day trips also available. If you just want a glimpse of this romantic island, make sure to sit on the right side of the plane when departing Bora Bora.
- Trnovacko Lake, Montenegro
Located at the Bosnian-Montenegro border, Trnovacko Lake’s beautiful heart shape makes it one of the most photographed locations in the region, according to the Cross-Border National Parks website. The green-blue lake is 2,300 feet long and 1,300 feet wide set amidst a “huge amphitheater of rocky peaks.” The lake is drained from the Maglic, the Volujak and the Bioc hill ranges. According to Lonely Planet: Western Balkans, the lake and its surrounding areas are popular with local campers in the summer. There are several large beaches and a beech forest that provide shade during the hot summer days.
- Heart Reef, Australia
The Heart Reef, a beautiful composition of coral that has naturally formed into the shape of a heart in the Whitsunday Islands in Australia, is perhaps the most photographed location of the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsundays’ most recognized attraction. It is best experienced from the air by helicopter or seaplane, due to its protected status, but recent years the reef has been accessible via glass-bottomed boat.
- Tavarua, Fiji
The heart-shaped island resort of Tavarua in Fiji is considered one of the world’s best surfing destinations. It’s known as home to one of the most famous breaks in the surfing world—Cloubreak. With waves breaking in the 10-20ft range, the island attracts surfers from all over the world. Located close to the main Fijian island, Viti Levu, and surrounded by a coral reef, Tavarua also offers a variety of vacation activities such as sport fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling and kayaking.
- Coeur de Voh, New Caledonia
New Caledonia’s Coeur de Voh, a large landscape formation of mangrove vegetation with a heart shape that can be seen only from above, was made famous by Yann-Arthus Bertrand, who used an aerial photograph of the mangrove in his book “The Earth from Above.” But its image constantly changes. As the mangrove vegetation changes, the colors and textures of the formation also change over time, according to Karen McKee of the U.S. Geological Survey – National Wetlands Research Center. Few people have seen the Coeur de Voh up close but in December 2012, a group of mangrove experts visited the location. They had to pass through a tangled forest of Rhizophora trees to get there, but they found the area teeming with rich wildlife, such as mudskippers and tree-climbing crabs. The experts believe climate change may affect the heart shape of the Coeur de Voh in the future however. With rising sea levels, Rhizophora trees may dominate the formation and obliterate the heart border and shape, according to a video produced by McKee.
- Lake Antrona, Piedmont, Italy
The heart-shaped lake of Antrona in Piedmont in northern Italy is a popular hike. Visitors can walk around this jewel in about an hour and it’s fringed with numerous wonders—from a picturesque waterfall to charming bridges and tunnels. It’s also surrounded by some of the best mountain views of the region.
- Lough Ouler, Wicklow Mountains, Ireland
Located in Ireland’s Wicklow Mountains National Park, Lough Ouler is a lake formed in a cirque excavated by a glacier. The name ‘Ouler’ was derived from ‘Iolar,’ Irish for eagle, suggesting that eagles were seen here in the past. The lake is enclosed on the east side by a series of moraines which allow only a small stream to flow out of the lake to join the Glenmacnass River, according to the official website for the Wicklow Mountains National Park.
- St. Paul’s Bay, Lindos, Rhodes, Greece
The heart-shaped St. Paul’s Bay in Lindos, on the southeast coast of Rhodes in Greece is one of the most beautiful bays in the island, featuring a stunning, sandy beach, turquoise-blue waters, and majestic views. It is believed that St. Paul came here in the year 51 AD to preach Christianity to the Rhodians. A small church built on the hillside to commemorate the visit has become a popular wedding venue, mainly because of the picturesque views of the bay and Lindos Acropolis visitors can enjoy from the site.
- Llynnau Cwm Silyn, Snowdonia, Wales
Snowdonia in Wales boasts a magnificent landscape of mountains, valleys and forests dominated by the park’s namesake peak. But it’s also home to the Snowdonia National Park and stunning, sparkling lakes. One of these lakes, the heart-shaped Llynnau Cwm Silyn (and its nearby twin lake Cwm Dulyn) is an inviting swimming hole, with clear, blue waters perfect for a refreshing dip after a hike.
- Lake Calvaresc, Switzerland
Located about 7,000 feet up the Calanca Mountain Trail between the Calanca and Mesolcina Valleys in the Swiss Alps, Lake Calvaresc is a stunning pool of water surrounded by scenic mountains views. Most hikers reach this beautiful, heart-shaped lake after three-day hiking trek from San Bernardino, staying in mountain huts along the way, according to Inhabitat.
- Lake Heart, Khamar-Daban Mountains, Russia
Trekkers to the Khamar-Daban mountains, a mountain range near Baikal Mountains in Siberia, Russia, and the Chersky Peak are rewarded by spectacular views of the massive, ancient Lake Baikal and Lake Heart, a small but stunning lake named for its romantic shape, on the mountain valley. Several tour companies offer guided treks of the Khamar-Daban mountains.
- Heart-Shaped Lake, Tien Shan Mountains, Kyrgyzstan
The Tien Shan mountains, also known as “Heaven’s Mountains,” in Kyrgyzstan’s easternmost tip are home to breathtaking landscape of towering peaks and hanging glaciers. The region is also home to iceberg-filled lakes, including a turquoise-blue heart-shaped gem.
- Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, Brazil
A lagoon in the district of Lagoa in the Zona Sul (South Zone) area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the Rodrgio de Freitas Lagoon is also called the “heart of Rio de Janeiro” due to its shape. Connected to the Atlantic Ocean, allowing sea water to enter by a canal along the edge of a park, the lagoon also serves as a recreational area for local residents, with nearly three miles of bike and jogging trails, and boathouses for rowing, according to Viator Travel.