© iStock

Itsukushima, Japan - In Hiroshima Bay, western Japan, lies the historic island of Itsukushima, known for its ancient temples, forests, and tame sika deer!

© iStock

Itsukushima, Japan - Most people come here to see the "floating" Torii gate and the Itsukushima Shinto Shrine, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. But the deer are also a tourist magnet in their own right!

© iStock

Itsukushima, Japan - These creatures used to be considered sacred messengers from the gods, and killing one was punishable by death up until 1637.

© iStock

Itsukushima, Japan - Today, the deer are still protected and there are over 1,000 of them living on the small island. They love hanging out with tourists, especially at the beach!

© Shutterstock

Pig Beach, Bahamas - Also known as Pig Island and Big Major Cay, this island in the Bahamas is home to a number of adorable four-legged residents.

© iStock

Pig Beach, Bahamas -

Feral pigs roam the island and are popular with tourists, though it's unclear how they got there in the first place.

© iStock

Pig Beach, Bahamas - While some say they were brought here to encourage tourism, another story has it that sailors left the pigs on the island, intending to return to eat them later, but they never came back.

© iStock

Pig Beach, Bahamas - The pigs apparently adore swimming, having their stomachs rubbed, and being fed by tourists!

© iStock

Boulders Beach, South Africa - Thought that you could only find penguins in icy Antarctic conditions? Think again!

© iStock

Boulders Beach, South Africa - African penguins have lived on Boulders Beach near Cape Town since 1982.

© iStock

Boulders Beach, South Africa - Between 2,000 and 3,000 of the endangered birds inhabit this beach and surrounding ones, which are part of the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area.

© iStock

Boulders Beach, South Africa - About 60,000 visitors come to Boulders Beach each year.

© iStock

Flamingo Beach, Aruba - Renaissance Island in Aruba is home to flamboyant and fabulous flamingos who add an exotic pop of pink to its white sandy beaches.

© iStock

Flamingo Beach, Aruba - To visit, you'll either have to stay at the Renaissance hotel, which owns the island, or you can buy a pass to visit it just for the day.

© iStock

Flamingo Beach, Aruba - The birds are very used to human company, so you can chill in the water and sunbathe with them, take snaps, and give them food!

© iStock

Flamingo Beach, Aruba - As kids aren't allowed on the flamingo part of the island, both you and the birds will be able to relax without interruptions.

© iStock

Assateague Island, USA - Wild horses roam the long white beaches of Assateague Island, whose territory is split between the states of Virginia and Maryland.

© iStock

Assateague Island, USA - Assateague horses (known as Chincoteague ponies on the Virginian part of the island) are a breed of pony in their own right, and there are about 300 of them wandering the island's sandy shores.

© iStock

Assateague Island, USA - On the Virginian side of the island, "pony penning" takes place every year in July as a form of population control. A certain number of ponies are rounded up and checked by a vet.

© iStock

Assateague Island, USA - Those that are strong enough are then led to swim for about 10 minutes over to Chincoteague island, where older foals are sold off in an auction the next day.

© iStock

Ko Phi Phi Don, Thailand - The eponymously named Monkey Beach and Monkey Bay are located on Ko Phi Phi Don island in Thailand, and are home to some curious tree-swinging residents!

© iStock

Ko Phi Phi Don, Thailand - Monkey Beach is in the southwestern part of the island, while Monkey Bay is a cove that lies on the other side.

© iStock

Ko Phi Phi Don, Thailand - Both places have stretches of white sand fringed with crystal blue waters that provide the perfect setting for sunbathing, snorkeling, and hanging out with new simian friends. The monkeys have become used to accepting tasty snacks from human visitors, but don't get too close, as they can bite and scratch!

© Shutterstock

Ōkunoshima, Japan - In Japan, the bizarre island of Ōkunoshima is the place to go if you've ever wanted to see a real beach bunny...

© iStock

Ōkunoshima, Japan - The island was used for testing chemical weapons between the late 1920s and 1940s. Today it is overrun with hundreds of rabbits that are rumored to be descended from the creatures that were experimented on during this time.

© iStock

Ōkunoshima, Japan - Visitors can explore the stunning sandy beaches and either spend a night at the hotel, or just visit the island for a day trip.

© iStock

Ōkunoshima, Japan - The bunnies are very friendly and will approach you in hoards if you offer them food. You'll be literally overwhelmed by cuteness!

© iStock

Lucky Bay, Australia - Lucky Bay is one of the most stunning beaches along the coast line of the Cape Le Grand National Park. If its 5 km of dreamy clean sands wasn't enough to tempt you there, its rather unusual beachgoers just might be...

© iStock

Lucky Bay, Australia - That's right! Kangaroos love chilling on the beach and you can enjoy relaxing on the shores with them.

© iStock

Lucky Bay, Australia - Feeling sleepy? You can camp at Lucky Bay for about AUD$10 a night as long as there is a vacancy at the camping park.

© iStock

Galápagos Islands, Ecuador - You'll find lazy sea lions and curious marine iguanas spread across the colorful beaches of the Galápagos Islands.

© iStock

Galápagos Islands, Ecuador -

The exotic Ecuadorian islands are teaming with wildlife, though on the beaches it's the Galápagos sea lions who make the best snorkeling companions.

© iStock

Galápagos Islands, Ecuador - Marine iguanas are specially adapted to their salty diet of algae and can dive up to 20 m (66 ft) in search of food.

© iStock

Galápagos Islands, Ecuador -

These endangered creatures are nevertheless very common on the islands, so you'll be getting a very rare experience seeing them on the Galápagos beaches.

© iStock

Inútil Bay, Chile - Inútil Bay (also known as Useless Bay) is home to the only continental American colony of breeding King Penguins in the world.

© iStock

Inútil Bay, Chile - Located in the far south of Chile, where temperatures are cooler, it seems strange to see penguins chilling on the grass.

© iStock

Inútil Bay, Chile - But at Inútil Bay, you can watch these wild flightless birds wander along rocky shores and interact with sheep!

© iStock

Inútil Bay, Chile - These are two species of animal that you likely never thought you'd see living in the same habitat, but here it's reality!

© iStock

Camargue, France - Though the Camargue Natural Park in southern France is famous for its wildlife and elegant pink flamingos...

© iStock

Camargue, France - ... it's probably best known for its stunning gray-colored horses! Camargue horses are reputedly one of the oldest breeds of horse in the world.

© iStock

Camargue, France - Wild horses roam the wetlands, marshes, and beaches of the natural park, and have apparently done so for thousands of years.

© iStock

Camargue, France - Many of the Camargue horses are trained, bred, and ridden by "gardians" (local "cowboys") to round up black Camargue bulls.

© iStock

Camargue, France - Visitors can also pay to take rides through the lush, verdant landscapes, and along the expansive beaches.

© iStock

Isla del Sol, Bolivia - In the middle of Lake Titicaca, between Bolivia and Peru, lies the Bolivian island of Isla del Sol.

© iStock

Isla del Sol, Bolivia - The high altitude island offers great walking opportunities and the chance to discover Inca ruins. You can also take a dip in the vast lake!

© iStock

Isla del Sol, Bolivia - Because there are no vehicles on the island, you'll find lots of donkeys roaming the beaches! The "sea" here is fresh water.

© iStock

Isla del Sol, Bolivia - On the island's shores, you'll also see pigs, chickens, and sheep.

© iStock

The Lofoten Islands, Norway - Speaking of sheep on the beach, the Lofoten Islands in Norway are also known for the many flocks that stroll along their shorelines—and moose too!

© iStock

The Lofoten Islands, Norway - Norway prides itself on being a country where everyone can roam pretty much anywhere they wish to in the countryside.

© iStock

The Lofoten Islands, Norway - This is no different with the sheep that stride along roads, beaches, fields, and mountains at will.

© iStock

Lombok, Indonesia - Next to tourist-packed Bali, Lombok is a peaceful heaven that offers visitors some calm respite. Here, you can watch majestic water buffalo plodding along the beaches!

© iStock

Lombok, Indonesia -

Farmers usually lead their herds along the sandy beaches in the evening. It's a common occurrence in Lombok, but not one that many outsiders get the chance to see!

See also: Pink, green, purple: check out the world's most colorful beaches

© iStock