Everybody could go and visit a typical white sand beach, but have you ever visited a beach with jet black sand? It's a completely different experience and the view is just as stunning.
Against popular opinion, black sand beaches were not formed so that those among us who are naturally drawn to the darker, more gothic side of life. (Or those of us who prefer the black heart emoji above all.) Instead, black sand beaches were likely formed when fragments of lava and other volcanic minerals were broken down over centuries by the ocean. Thanks to its heat-retaining tendencies, black sand is great when the temperature is down, but under the hot midday sun, it can be sole-blistering. Black sand beaches run the gamut from grainy volcano by-products to super-soft grey charcoal. For this reason, you'll find many black sand beaches in areas like Hawaii and Iceland, but there are also some unexpected contenders—take Greece and Italy, for instance. Read on for where you can find one of nature's most marvelous creations, whether you're looking for a tropical or glacial getaway.
1. Perissa Beach - Santorini, Greece.
Perissa Beach in Santorini, Greece, is far from the region’s only charcoal shore (in fact, Santorini also has Perivolos and Kamari amongst its black sand repertoire). Fans of ruins and rocks will be in their element on Perissa though, thanks to it close proximity to Ancient Thera, which sits atop the Mesa Vouno rock.
2. KAIMU, HAWAII.
This black sand beach is still relatively new. In 1990, a volcano on the Big Island erupted, covering the former Kaimu beach with 80 feet of lava. Now, 20 years later, the ocean has turned chunks of lava into grains of black sand.
3. JEJU, SOUTH KOREA.
The island of Jeju is becoming a popular destination for travelers, and it's easy to see why. In addition to lave tubes, a theme park dedicated to sex and a water massage resort, Jeju boasts incredible beaches. Many of these beaches are covered with black sand, a result of volcanic activity that created the island millions of years ago.
4. BLACK SANDS BEACH, CALIFORNIA.
The only black sand beach in the continental United States is a well-worth-it five-hour drive from Sacramento. It's rugged, sharp, and not ideal for swimming or sunbathing; dogged surfers admire the wild tides and waves from afar since the waters are too dangerous to enter. But the unparalleled beauty leaves every visitor supremely satisfied.
5. ANSE COULEUVRE, MARTINIQUE.
The northern coast of Martinique is known for beaches with dark black sands, such as Anse Couleuvre, shown here. Juxtaposed dramatically with the blues of the Caribbean and the greens of the surrounding hills, this stretch of sand makes for a one of a kind getaway (not to mention great color scheme inspo).
6. CANARY, SPAIN.
This autonomous community of Spain is known for both black sand beaches and white sand beaches — and, of course, nearly perfect temperatures all year round. The rugged coastline of the islands, which are home to active volcanoes, is as dramatic as the black grains of sand. One particularly famous black sand beach is Playa Jardín.
7. Black Sand Beach - Alaska, USA.
There’s no need to travel internationally on the hunt for a world class black sand beach, although given that many visitors choose to arrive by kayak you might want to brush up on your paddling skills. Alaska’s inventively named Black Sand Beach rubs shoulders with glaciers (like the receding Coxe glacier) and seeing washed up mini icebergs hanging out on the sand isn’t uncommon.
8. Spiaggia Sabbie Nere - Vulcano, Italy.
Just off the Sicilian coast lies a volcanic archipelago with a smattering of black sand beaches in its midst. While there are plenty of inky black beaches to choose from over the eight Aeolian Islands–including on Stromboli, which also plays host to an active volcano–the closer-to-the-coast Vulcano is the one visitors want to head for. On the charcoal sands of Spiaggia Sabbie Nere, travelers can indulge their inner beach-going-goth, while looking out over azure oceans.
9. Samyang Beach - Jeju, South Korea.
One of Korea’s more popular beaches thanks to a prime location right outside Jeju City, Samyang has developed a locally-held reputation for curative properties thanks to its black-when-wet shoreline. Samyang Black Sand Beach is worth a couple hours of your time.
10. Pa’iloa Beach - Maui, Hawaii.
A second Hawaiian entry, this beach cements the volcano-dotted state’s reputation for having some of the world’s most impressive black sand beaches. Pa’iloa Beach (also known by the significantly lengthier Wai’anapanapa, meaning”glistening water”) is set against an almost unbelievable backdrop of onyx lava cliffs and lush vegetation in the Wai’anapanapa State Park. As with Punalu’u, currents are strong so instead of taking a dip, just stick to lounging on the beach.
11. TAHITI, FRENCH POLYNESIA.
The black beaches on the island of Tahiti are surrounded by lush vegetation. A favorite for many locals is Point Venus Beach, which has a charming lighthouse and attracts athletes with its black sand soccer field.
12. Reynisfjara - Vík í Mýrdal, Iceland.
Sometimes known as the Vík Black Sand Beach because of its close proximity to the Icelandic fishing village of Vík í Mýrdal, Reynisfjara is one of Iceland’s wettest and warmest destinations. It was also ranked as one of the 10 most beautiful beaches on earth some years ago. This is no surprise given its pebble-dotted, gravel-like black sand appeal, bordered by impressive basalt stacks and army of puffins.
13. WAI'ANAPANAPA STATE PARK, HAWAII.
Found on Maui, this black sand beach was formed when waves collided with lava, shattering it into small fragments. Explore the nearby freshwater caves, ancient temples and burial grounds, and lava formations.
14. TANGKOKO NATURE RESERVE, INDONESIA.
Found at the foot of the Dua Saudara Mountain, Tangkoko Nature Reserve has a wide expanse of plant life, animal life (including primates!) and, of course, soot-black beaches.
15. DOMINICA, THE CARIBBEAN.
No wonder "Pirates of the Caribbean" used Dominica as one of its filming locations: This small island (known as "The Nature Island") has black sand beaches that perfectly combine the mystique and the beauty of the Caribbean.
16. BALI, INDONESIA.
Soak up the waves and the luxury of small crowds at the various low-key black sand beaches in Bali, which were formed from cooled lava from the nearby Mt. Agung.
17. PUNALU'U BEACH, HAWAII.
Alaskans aren’t alone in their innovative beach naming, with Black Sand Beach on Big Island, Hawaii getting in on the act too. However, while this may be the most well-known name, it’s far from the official one. In fact, this green turtle hotspot is actually called Punalu’u Beach. While the wildlife is friendly, the waters are less so—swimming is best avoided when the surf is high.
18. Playa Bacacay - Albay, the Philippines.
While the Philippines continues to grow in popularity, with more and more visitors making their way to the beaches of Boracay and El Nido, this South East Asian country still has plenty of hidey holes and secret spots to offer the curious visitor. Take Playa Bacacay and its pitch-black sand, which is practically unrivalled in colour saturation for example.
19. Playa de San Marcos - Tenerife, Spain.
Numerous black sand beaches can be found on the tourist hot spot of Tenerife, Spain. Amongst them, there’s Playa Socorro, Playa Jardín and Playa de las Arenas, but the most spectacular and family-friendly is surely Playa de San Marcos. Admittedly, bordering more on a shade of deep grey than black, this petite bay is tranquil and tourist-free.
20. STROMBOLI, ITALY.
Italy may be an unexpected country for a black sand beach, but an Italian island known as Stromboli is one of the most active volcanoes on Earth. It has erupted almost perpetually for 2,000 years, creating the black sand beaches visitors (and, we have to guess, the few hundred locals) love.
21. MURIWAI, NEW ZEALAND.
Muriwai beach, just 45km outside of Auckland, only serves to confirm the assertion that New Zealand is a nature lover’s dream. Situated at the very southern end of an impressive 50 km beachy expanse, Muriwai is flanked by the Tasman Sea on one side and a famed gannet colony on the other. For the best views, hike the surrounding crags and take in the sliver of inky black sand from afar.
22. MIHO NO MATSUBARA, JAPAN .
A double-whammy of a destination, not only does Shizuoka Prefecture’s Miho no Matsubara beach offer spectacular views over Japan’s Mount Fiji, it is also made up of soft black sand set against a dense pine tree backdrop that might have you averting your gaze away from the mountain-dominated horizon.
23. KEAWAIKI BAY, HAWAII.
If you're an avid hiker, make a trek along the Kohala Coast a must-do on your bucket list. The hiking trail runs mostly along the black beach, and there are various opportunities for splashing around in a freshwater lava pool or the ocean along the way.
24. Anse Ceron - Le Precheur, Martinique.
When you feel like stopping by the beach, hiking through the jungle to get there probably doesn’t factor into your plans. However, in order to reach the dazzling black beach of Anse Ceron in Martinique, you’ll have to put some effort in. After all, nothing worth having is easy. Plus, that pre-beach hike deters most people from even bothering, so you might get the place to yourself.
25. Shelter Cove Black Sand Beach - California, USA.
Speaking of “things worth having don’t come easy,” the same could be said for the Shelter Cove Black Sand Beach on the California coastline. First, you must navigate a treacherously windy road,but after you’ve cleared that hurdle, you’ll be greeted with truly dramatic views over the charcoal and black pebbled beach. The adventurer in you will be happy, even if the pragmatist isn’t.
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