89 Breathtaking Rainbow Photos That Will Make You Believe in Magic

By Neecey • Aug 18, 2014 • MD

There is something universally magical about a rainbow. Whether it's a fleeting arc after a summer storm or a vibrant double rainbow stretching across a mountain range, these colorful phenomena never fail to stop us in our tracks. From the misty falls of Iceland to the tropical shores of Maui, nature’s most beautiful spectrum appears in the most unexpected places. We’ve curated 89 breathtaking rainbow photos from around the world that will inspire your wanderlust and remind you of the simple beauty in the world. Ready to chase some color?

Pro Tips for Rainbow Spotting

  • Check the Sun: Rainbows always appear in the part of the sky directly opposite the sun.
  • Look for Low Sun: The best rainbows occur when the sun is low in the sky, specifically in the early morning or late afternoon.
  • Timing is Everything: Keep an eye out just as a rain shower is ending and the sun starts to peek through the clouds.

1. The Amazing Rainbow

The Amazing Rainbow Via Rainbows

According to the Bible, God sent a rainbow.
"I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth." Genesis 9:13.
Whether you believe in God or not, rainbows are surely heaven sent.

5. Quadruple Rainbow

Quadruple Rainbow Via Picture Is Unrelated

You don't see this too often but this wonderful collection was spotted over Naden Harbor, British Columbia.

7. Double Rainbow

Double Rainbow Via besttravelphotos.me

A stunning shot of fall rainbows in Quechee, Vermont.

10. When Nature Collides

When Nature Collides Via 19 Images You Won't Believe ...

Two forces coming together - one beautiful, one destructive.

Understanding the Spectrum

| Rainbow Type | Cause | Rarity | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Primary Rainbow** | Single reflection of light in raindrops | Common | | **Double Rainbow** | Double reflection within droplets (colors are reversed) | Occasional | | **Moonbow** | Light from a full moon refracted by water | Rare | | **Fogbow** | Light refracted by tiny fog droplets (looks white) | Rare |

11. Bay Bridge, San Francisco,

Bay Bridge, San Francisco, Via picsvisit.blogspot.ca

A bridge to heaven.

19. Fire Rainbows

Fire Rainbows Via fathomable-wisdom.tumblr.com

The rarest of all naturally occurring atmospheric phenomena.

20. Double Rainbow over Meadows of Angel Fire, New Mexico

Double Rainbow over Meadows of Angel Fire, New Mexico Via Angel Fire rainbow.jpg

That's such a romantic name.

22. Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls Via Canada

Everyone on the Maid of the Mist hopes to see a rainbow.

26. Circular Rainbow

Circular Rainbow Via All sizes | Sunrise Sunplosion ...

All rainbows are in fact circular but because the reflection is close to Earth, we only get to see an arch. We see a
circular rainbow when it forms high in the sky.

32. In the Clouds

In the Clouds Via 9 Stunning Photos of Beautiful ...

Created by the reflection of ice crystals in cirrus clouds.

34. In the Pink

In the Pink Via I can't believe I got ...

Double rainbows, lightning and pink skies - a cocktail of stunningness.

35. London Rainbow

London Rainbow Via flickr.com

When you know of God's Covenant with Man, there’s something extra special about a rainbow over a religious icon.

36. Beach Rainbow, Bamburgh, England

Beach Rainbow, Bamburgh, England Via Beach rainbow

They talk to rainbows.

38. Double Rainbows

Double Rainbows Via Simple Pleasures

Parallel rainbows are formed when the light refracted through raindrops is coming from the same wind direction with the colors reversed.

39. Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls Via Let's Go!

The might river meets the rainbow.

42. Rainbow over Hopperstad Stave Church in Vik, Norway

Rainbow over Hopperstad Stave Church in Vik, Norway Via All sizes | Beam of ...

And the sky spoke with a rainbow.

44. Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

Capitol Reef National Park, Utah Via Canyon Country Rainbow

Canyon County rainbow just adds to the beauty.

46. Mountain Rainbow

Mountain Rainbow Via mountains

She is a rainbow in curved air.

47. Donegal, Ireland

Donegal, Ireland Via Üsküdarlı on Twitter

Rainbow's End

48. Beehive Geyser Rainbow, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Beehive Geyser Rainbow, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming Via Beehive Geyser Rainbow

Thar' she blows.

50. Maui, Hawaii

Maui, Hawaii Via Yahoo - login

A rainbow piercing paradise.

52. The Highlands, Scotland

The Highlands, Scotland Via besttravelphotos.me

Plenty of rainbows in Scotland 'cos there's plenty of rain.

53. "Harvest Rainbow" Garden City, Kansas

"Harvest Rainbow" Garden City, Kansas Via Harvest Rainbow

The blessing of the harvest.

55. Walk in the Rain

Walk in the Rain Via Rainbow

A light in the black.

56. Where There's Rain There's Rainbows

Where There's Rain There's Rainbows Via Where There's Rain There's Rainbows

Eyes of fire in Oahu, Hawaii.

57. Milford Sound, New Zealand

Milford Sound, New Zealand Via Milford sound magic

Rainbows adorn the Land of the Long White Cloud.

58. Gulfoss, Iceland

Gulfoss, Iceland Via Pictures of waterfalls - Gullfoss

Iceland's biggest waterfall.

62. Arc De Ciel

Arc De Ciel Via Mijn Regenboogbos

A rainbow is an optical and meteorological phenomenon that is caused by both reflection and refraction of light in water droplets resulting in a spectrum of light appearing in the sky.

63. God's Promise

God's Promise Via 036 33610 : Photo

If you have faith, this scene affirms it.

64. A Lone Elephant...

A Lone Elephant... Via Rainbow Elephant

... with just a rainbow for company.

67. Regenboog

Regenboog Via rainbow2

Could there be a pot of gold at the end of this rainbow.

68. Storm and Rainbow over Abandoned Farmhouse near Burra, South Australia

Storm and Rainbow over Abandoned Farmhouse near Burra, South Australia Via Storm and Rainbow

Mother Nature has been dipping into her paint pot again.

69. Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe Via Victoria Falls

“Two bubbles found they had rainbows on their curves. They flickered out saying: It was worth being a bubble, just to have held that rainbow thirty seconds.” - Carl Sandburg

70. Horses in Idaho by

Horses in Idaho by Via Horses in Idaho

Unaffected by the scene in the sky.

71. St. Mary's Church at Reculver Castle, England

St. Mary's Church at Reculver Castle, England Via As the rain stops!

The rainbow is a promise.

73. Mount Adams, Washington

Mount Adams, Washington Via Pot of Gold

“In life, you either choose to sing a rainbow, or you don't. Keep singing.” - Kathleen Long

75. Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California

Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California Via Yosemite

Misty trails.

76. The End of the Rainbow

The End of the Rainbow Via Handy Dandy!!

“After every storm, there is a rainbow. If you have eyes, you will find it. If you have wisdom, you will create it. If you have love for yourself and others, you won’t need it.” - Shannon L. Adler

77. Double Rainbow in Colorado

Double Rainbow in Colorado Via sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net

“May your journey through life be vibrant and full of colorful rainbows.” - Harley King

80. Angels and Rainbows

Angels and Rainbows Via Photo 6 Sacred Earth Inner ...

Angel Falls in Venezuela. The highest waterfall in the world. It sits in Canaima National Park and is over 3,000 meters high.

81. Rainbow Rocks

Rainbow Rocks Via Rainbow in Aruba

Between a rock and not such a hard place.

82. Shaft of Light

Shaft of Light Via retirement-international.com

“When thunderstorms roll in, you make a choice to either succumb with tears to the gloomy downpour or smile and look for rainbows.” - Richelle E. Goodrich

83. Wedge Pond Rainbow, Alberta, Canada

Wedge Pond Rainbow, Alberta, Canada Via Wedge Pond Rainbow

“Lots of people like rainbows. Children make wishes on them, artists paint them, dreamers chase them ..." - Linda Goodman

84. The Hills Are Alive ...

The Hills Are Alive ... Via Amazing Pictures - Amazing Pictures ...

... with pictures of colors.

85. Rainbow Coast Nordeste, Azores, Portugal

Rainbow Coast Nordeste, Azores, Portugal Via rainbow coast

Don't lose hope. Rainbows always stand for hope.

87. A Wonder

A Wonder Via Emotions

“Love was a feeling completely bound up with color, like thousands of rainbows superimposed one on top of the other.” - Paul Coehlo

89. Rainbow over the Falls - Zambia

Rainbow over the Falls - Zambia Via Rainbow over the falls - ...
“Shine your soul with the same egoless humility as the rainbow and no matter where you go in this world or the next, love will find you, attend you, and bless you.” - Aberjhani

Whether you're a photographer chasing the perfect shot or just someone who loves a bit of natural wonder, we hope these photos brightened your day. Which one was your favorite? Let us know in the comments!

Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

  • Peggy

    2022-05-23T05:10:52.211Z

    #16 is this what is called a fire tornado?
  • Kitty

    2014-08-18T22:32:50.469Z

    Wow. So beautiful and so many that are unusual
  • KaReN

    2014-08-18T22:58:37.052Z

    i don't get it, its the same thing just in different places!!
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