The Living Beach

One beach is man-made and filled with tourists (hello, Miami). Another is well-protected and home to sea turtles (that’s Sebastian Island). In this deep-dive into the Florida coastline, understand how beaches are preserved, protected and even profitable.

Every 13 hours, the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia performs a record-breaking feat: The sea levels rise to the height of a four-story building! Witness the unstoppable natural cycle of the Atlantic tide and the diverse ecosystems it supports.

The sands along the coast of the Yucatán Peninsula are home to both a vast array of wildlife and a booming tourism industry. From protecting the fragile nesting cycles of sea turtles to moving huge bales of sargassum seaweed that wash up on beaches, learn how humans and animals coexist within this diverse ecosystem.

Get ready to understand the science behind Hawaii's stunning beaches. Why does sand appear white, yellow, black, green and red? How do active volcanoes change the coastline? Are other forces at play in shaping these incredible beaches?

It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the largest sand island on earth, and home to wild dingoes, six-foot sand-worms, and eucalyptus woodlands. Find out how everything lives happily together in a complex ecosystem built entirely upon sand.

The drought is driving Mule Deer out of their habitats. The warming ocean is sending Sea Lions in another direction. The Pelicans are trying to survive coastal oil spills. What will become of the beautiful beaches of California?