For a while now, the black sand beach has been one of the best places to hang out while on vacation. They are unique and fun destinations with so many new activities to explore, and they are accommodative whether you are planning a solo or a family vacation.
As we discuss the various Sandy beaches and why they are so famous, you first must understand that the black sand results from swept volcanic residues like minerals, lava and dark-coloured stones.
Here is a list of the various Sandy beaches and their unique characteristics.
Why Is the Sand Black?
The sand on the beach is black because of the erosion of volcanic materials that end up on the beach. (most of them are either dark or black). Some of these materials are; lava, minerals and black stones.
Another unique property of the sand is that it is dense, has a heavy texture, and has an alluring shine. These fantastic properties result from the high mineral content; iron is responsible for the sand’s density and surface.
Here is a list of the various spectacular black Sand beaches in the different countries
The most exciting part about these eye-catching beaches is that they are rare. Hence you will only find them in a few different nations on Earth.
Buckle up, and explore the various beaches and their unique features.
1. Black Sand Beach, California
The spectacular sighting in California is the only black beach found in America—the exact location in San Francisco at the Golden Recreation Area.
The exciting part is that the black sand you’ll find is this shore is not of this beach because the black sand in the beach is a result of natural volcanic eruptions in the area, which are unheard of in California.
The source of the black sand is the iron minerals covering the 30 miles of California coastline. However beautiful they are, a warning indicates that you can’t swim because of the rough tides that will cause you to drown.
However, even though you can’t dive, this location is still beautiful for hanging out with friends and family. It has a cool breeze that will leave you refreshed for days.
If you have not visited the San Francisco Sandy beaches, now would be the best time to explore the area.
2. Albay Islands in the Philippines
Albay Island in the Philippines is a unique island complex rich in natural sceneries. The area has three beach destinations. They prove you don’t need to visit Iceland or Hawaii to view the beautiful beaches.
Because of the area’s active volcanic activity, the beach’s ground is black with mind-blowing volcanic rocks, leaving you amazed for days. Regardless of the Island, you go to, you can have a fantastic time.
If you are coming from Manila City, you can catch a flight or travel by car or bus, which will take about 10 hours. Either means of transport will get you to Albay safely.
3. Tangkoko Nature Reserve in Indonesia
In the middle of Tangkoko Woods, on Sulawesi Island, you’ll find one of the most spectacular beaches in the world. It is a unique combination of dark-coloured sand and a natural park filled with exotic and endemic species, which make it a fantastic beach from the other beaches.
Additionally, the beach is also quite accessible; you can catch a flight to Manado and then afterwards take a car to Tangkoko for the fantastic scenery.
Add it to your bucket list if you haven’t been here yet.
4. Karekare Beach in New Zealand
Karekare has also not been left behind in the list of countries with mind-blowing black beaches. Karekare in North Auckland is not like most beaches that you go to. With this one, you’ll go through some obstacles to get there. You’ll need to hike on the sharp ridges in the place, but the view is worth all the trouble you’ll go through.
Unlike the beach in California, this one allows you to swim or surf but with caution because of the strong waves. Hence, before you start swimming, authorities advise that you familiarise yourself with the area to avoid life-threatening situations.
.
Regardless, it is a beautiful beach that you should plan to visit. To learn more about it, check out GuideYourGuide for upcoming tours in this region.
5. Papenoo Beach in Tahiti
Papenoo, France, continues to be one of the most highly ranked destinations, with fantastic reviews worldwide. Aside from the general popularity of France, this location is home to the world’s most spectacular black sand shores.
The volcanic residue makes this beach unique from the standard light and white beaches that are often crowded.
Before exploring other locations, locals advise that you first take your time to enjoy the view of this beach and soak in all the fresh breeze. Afterwards, you can then go ahead and explore the Papenoo Valley, the famous jungle on Tahiti Island, with some incredible landscapes.
6. Playa Negro in Puerto Rico
Although the Caribbean is famous for its white beaches, the black sand beach in Puerto Rico is also a beautiful destination you should consider visiting.
Like most other beaches, the black sand is from volcanic activities occurring under the surface. As a result, the sand develops a beautiful dark tone hence the black sand beach.
Just like on the white beach, the sea on this beach is clean, safe and ready for spending time and swimming with relatives and friends.
Funny enough, the locals only discovered that Vieques existed in 2004, and that’s when they called the beach “Playa Negrita”, to mean you don’t need to go far to experience natural beauty.
7. Kamari Beach in Greece
Santorini is the exact definition of Western Civilisation. It is home to fantastic heritage, rich culture, and beautiful sceneries, including the grey sand shore in Santorini.
Anyone would think that Santorini is home to white beaches, but it has the most spectacular black and grey sandy beaches. Santorini is found on top of a volcanic area, hence the glittering black sand.
People travel worldwide to experience this fantastic scenery and others in Santorini; you should plan your Visit to Greece.
8. Soufriere in St. Lucia
Soufriere is the second black beach in the Caribbean. However, unlike the other one, there are few details about this beach due to misinformation in St. Lucia.
St. Lucia is quite different compared to other countries in the Caribbean because, unlike the rest, it has black sand beaches. However, most people don’t experience the beautiful scenery in the area.
However, the Soufriere Beach is the main tourist attraction for locals. Each season, locals try to display it more for more people to see and appreciate the beautiful sightings.
The Caribbean has several hidden gems that attract tourists worldwide every year.
9. Marigot in Grenada
This one is the hardest to reach among Black Sandy Beach in the Caribbean because of the challenging hike at the mouth of the beach. You find it in Concord at St George.
Marigot is worth the visit; you’ll arrive at this lonely location shortly after you pass the dense Grenada jungle. There is pin-drop silence and nobody apart from you, making it the best place you can be if you want to be away from the noise.
10. Punaluu Beach in Hawaii
Punalu’u in Hawaii Island is the first of the various beaches with black sand in the area. Uniquely, the black sand on this beach results from the lava and the basalt in the ocean that finds its way to the shore. It’s a destination worth travelling to.
Despite its beauty, this beach is not ideal to swim in because of its sharp rocks during the year. In many cases, the guards warn the tourists of the danger of swimming even before they get to the beach to avoid life-threatening situations.
Aside from the black sands, the area is home to several animals. While on the beach, you will encounter endangered animals like the monk seal of Hawaii, which the locals will do anything to preserve. You may not get to swim, but you will get in touch with nature.
11. Miho-no-Matsubara in Japan
The UNESCO World Heritage Site recorded it in 2013 to prove how beautiful this location is. You will find this fantastic beauty in Miho Peninsula, Shizuoka City.
The black sand is not even a unique feature of this place. What stands out are the incredible pine trees(over 40,000) surrounding the area, in addition to Mt. Fuji, Japan’s tallest mountain that stands as the background of the beach.
12. Playa Jardin in Spain
You will find Playa Hardin in Puerto de la Cruz in Spain. In addition to the black sand beach, the area has a beautiful landscape surrounded by palm trees alongside the botanical garden. ( that’s why they named it Garden Beach)
Unlike the other beaches, this one is safe to swim and have fun in. You can see the view of Mt. Teide, the mountain responsible for the black sand swimming and snorkelling. It is a refreshing place to spend time on
13. Prince William Sound in Alaska
It may not be as famous as the other beaches, but it’s a destination worth your time. Despite its beauty, the black sand beach in Alaska does not allow you to swim or do any activity because of the life-threatening icebergs.
However, the beauty of Prince William is not in the black sand beach but in the glaciers and the mountains surrounding the entire beach area. The best part about being in Alaska is towering through the rocks and the glaciers in the background.
It also has beautiful camping, picnic and hiking sites because of the soft volcano sand and the most beautiful sunset you’ll ever see. All these sceneries combined make it a destination worth travelling to.
14. Playa Negra in Costa Rica
Playa Negra is the second black sand beach, but this one goes to Costa Rica. The perfect surfing spot is found on the western side of Guanacaste, where they filmed Endless Summer II by Bruce Brown.
The area is surrounded by unique hotels, cafes and resorts that top up the beauty of the beach. It is small compared to the other beaches, but its beauty is the highlight of Costa Rica.
15. Lovina Beach in Bali
You will find Lovina Beach, about 2 hours from Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. Apart from the black and grey sands, this location will amaze you with a touch of dolphin views every morning.
The best part is that this beach allows you to swim, snorkel and take boat rides to the dolphins each sunrise. It’s a fantastic sighting and a beautiful place to spend your days.
However, it’s different, as most delicacies revolve around organic and vegan foods.
16. Stokksnes Beach in Iceland
The southeast side of Iceland, where the Stokksnes beach is found, is covered in ice, just as you see it on Disney. It’s a beautiful area with cliffs and lagoons surrounding the room, not forgetting the black sand beaches forming a beautiful landscape.
Although there are several beaches in Iceland, this one is undoubtedly one of the best. If you want to visit the area, hiring a car to take you around the various beaches is best. Iceland is smaller, so you should go around the country quickly.
17. Waianapanapa State Park, Hawaii
The famous Wajnanapanapa Park is a few minutes from Hana Highway, Hawaii. It has everything you can think of when considering an uncommon beach. Apart from the black sand, it’s known for, this destination is rich in Hawaiian culture and has many legendary tales that define it.
When you reach this destination, you’ll realise why it’s so popular and unique compared to the other beaches; you’ll have more than enough sightings to take pictures of.
Several Lava Caves, blowholes, a unique coastline, and glittering black sands make this place the perfect hiking area.
18. Kaimu, Hawaii
Kaimu is Hawaii’s third black sand beach and the most recent one globally. Many locals like to spend their time at Kaimu, although they don’t get to swim because of the strong waves and currents.
Even Though the black sand beach and the dense volcano sand are mind-blowing, coconut trees make this area a gem. It came to be in 1990 when lava messed up the site.
19. Diamond Beach in Iceland
Diamond Beach makes second in line with the black sand beaches in Iceland. The two beaches are so different that you couldn’t rank them even if you wanted to. Let’s see which one wins.
Unlike the other beach popular for the glaciers, Diamond Beach is specifically famous for its sandy beach. Therefore, it takes the crown for Iceland’s best Black Sandy beaches.
Regardless of the number of times you visit Diamond Beach, you’ll never find it looking the same way. This is why; when the ice forms, it makes the beach look like it’s filled with diamonds.
But the beauty is, every time a diamond melts, a new one for me immediately, so there is always a new look each time you look at the beach.
You’ll always have scenery to take pictures of at the diamond beach. Therefore, ensure you carry your camera to take lots of pictures.
20. Reynisfjara, Iceland.
Where were Star Wars and Game of Thrones filmed? You got It; the producers chose Reynisjara to film both series, which is why it’s so popular. Many series and movies still select this spot as their filming area.
Although many beaches are famous for being in tropical areas, the dense volcanic sand combined with powerful waves will always make you choose this non-tropical beach on the south shore.
Even without physically being there, pictures of the area will leave you feeling like you’re in a different world. Therefore, if you haven’t been there yet, ensure you make it to the top of your bucket list.
21. Perivolos Beach, Santorini, Greece
Santorini is home to several Volcanic Sandy beaches. However, Perivolos is the longest in the southern area of Santorini. It’s also the one with the most activities going on, like tavernas selling seafood, and thatched umbrellas, among other beach activities.
A few minutes from Santorini is Perissa, accessible by bus; once you get there, you can walk around and experience several sightings on the shore of Perivolos.
22. Playa Jardin, Tenerife, Canary Islands
In 1990, Spanish architect Cesar Manrique designed the urban black sand beaches in Tenerife, which Playa Jardin is part of.
The black beach is temporary, although it’s difficult to tell unless someone tells you it is; the black sand was cut up from the seabed.
You will find the Canary Island on the western coast of Puerto de la Cruz, and it’s divided into three parts by the breakwater to accommodate both the Atlantic rollers and activities at the beach.
23. Punalu’u Beach, Hawaii
Punalu’u Beach on the southeastern side of Hawaii is one of the unique beaches among the other beaches of Hawaii. The beautiful beaches are covered by the coconut palms in which the green sea turtles nest. Although the beach is not ideal for swimming because of the strong currents, watching and enjoying the coastal breeze is still enjoyable.
If you get the chance to swim in the sea, you are likely to experience a funny feeling as the cold rises from beneath the sea floor, giving you a combination of warm and cold water.
Like the other black sand Beaches, this one is protected, meaning you cannot pick any sand from the beach. Because the black sand is a result of volcanic eruptions that happen once in a very long time, in case the wind ultimately erodes the sand, there’s no natural way to refill the sand.
24. Taharuu Beach, Papeete, Tahiti
About 30 miles on the Southeastern end of Papeete, Taharuu Beach is an absolute beauty. The black sand, the glossy palms and the deep blue sea cover the area giving it a unique look from other beaches. Unlike most black beaches, you can swim, but to surf, you need to sharpen your skills because of the moderate waves.
The area is often full of locals and tourists, who spend their time playing with the warm water as they watch the surfers. A beach shack will serve you snacks when you visit, but you must carry water because they don’t help it there.
25. Mero Beach, Roseau, Dominica
Unlike the other beaches in the Caribbean, mountainous and glittering beaches surround Mero Beach, some of which are grey.
You will find Mero, about 45 minutes from the capital city of the island, and it’s a place loved by both the locals and tourists who can’t wait for the weekend to dive into the warm and shallow waters.
The place, too, is quite common for barbecues and other activities like brunch that result from the resorts and bars in the area.
26. El Golfo, Lanzarote, Canary Islands
Lago Verde is a lagoon that is found in the heart of what was previously known as the caldera. The black dunes separate the lagoon from the high waves.
The lagoon has an emerald colour because of the phytoplankton that lives in the sea.
Regardless of their beauty, which attracts many tourists, the lagoon is unsafe to swim in as it contains sharp rocks that could easily harm you.
Aside from being a tourist attraction, Lanzarote is a familiar spot where movie producers choose to shoot their movies.
Lanzarote has no facilities, but once you’re done exploring, you can head to El Golfo village, which has several restaurants to enjoy unique delicacies.
27. Kamari Beach, Santorini, Greece
Located on the Eastern end of Santorini, Kamari Beach is a unique sighting covered with black pebbles and sand that resulted from volcanic erosion in the Caribbean 17th Century.
Although Santorini is full of amazing beaches, this one is one of the best beaches in Santorini, but it often goes unnoticed because of Mesa Vouno Mountain neighbouring it.
Kamari Beach attracts various kinds of activities; within the day, especially on the weekend, it serves as a family day, while in the evening, it turns into a party spot.
The area has shades in the back alley and bars where you can shelter yourself if the sun gets too hot as you sip your cold beer.
28. Anse Couleuvre, Saint-Pierre, Martinique
Mount Pekee, an active volcano, dominates the Anse Couleuvre, which is why most of the beaches on the Island are black sand beaches. As much as the mountain has contributed significantly to the area’s beauty, It is also responsible for the destruction of the Island in 1902.
However, the locals did a great job and rebuilt the town, which is now the home of the beautiful black sand beach, the most spectacular black sand beach in the area.
29. Senggigi Beach, Lombok, Indonesia
Senggigi is a beautiful combination of black and golden sand resulting from the various eruptions of Mt. Rinjani close to the sea.
Because of the beauty and the various areas you can adventure on, the beach has several hostels and resorts where you can relax after a long day. It also has clear waters that allow swimming, kayaking and other sea activities.
30. Miho-no-Matsubara, Shizuoka City, Japan
Miho-no-Matsubara is an appealing beach with over 54000 trees lined through the 4- miles of the coast. Behind it is Mount Fuji, which has snow caps adding to the beauty of the beach.
Interestingly, this beach has been a source of inspiration for many poets and writers.
A train away from Tokyo is Miho Peninsula, a popular place during summer for various activities, the most common being fishing, swimming and diving. Some people even prefer to hire a bicycle to explore the shore.
31. Karekare Beach, Auckland, New Zealand
You will only need to drive one hour from Auckland to reach Karekare. In addition to the glimmering black sand beach in the area, there is a waterfall about 15 minutes away from the beach, where you can relax in the shade on a hot afternoon.
New Zealand Beach is the perfect spot for a picnic because of the silence; it does not have facilities either. It has a wide area of sand, often backed by dunes and black cliffs where the locals surf.
31. Black Sands Beach, Sausalito, California
Like most other beaches, the Golden Gate Bridge does not allow swimming because of the pounding surf and the strong waves. Therefore, if you choose to visit Golden Gate Beach, go prepared to watch the view and not swim or do other sea activities.
Interestingly, it is the only black sand in the U.S. continent.
Are Black Sand Beaches Safe to Swim In?
There isn’t much difference between black beaches and beaches of another colour, meaning you can swim in them if they are safe too. Additionally, If you find yourself at the edge of a volcano that directs to the sea, you must be careful as you could easily fall off.
However, black sand absorbs more heat from the sun than the white beach. Therefore, you should always be in your sandshoes while walking on the black sand, as it can get too hot and burn your feet.
This Is How to Avoid Crowded Beaches
Be careful how you pick the days and time you spend at the beach
The best time to be at the beach is usually early morning, as it’s usually empty. However, you can play around with other timings and avoid the crowd. Friday is generally the most crowded day of the week as people continually check in and out.
Therefore, you should plan to leave for the beach on the other days of the week and spend your time on the beach on Friday. However, if you would rather avoid the crowd, you should avoid Saturday and Sunday as families often choose to spend their day off with their families on those days.
Avoid Cruise-Organized Beach Breaks
While large crowds are not always the case in cruises, you should avoid cruising on large ships unless the organisers specifically regard the trip as private. In many cases, cruise trips are usually followed by large groups of people to have fun, and the destination is usually a famous beach that will accommodate people from multiple cruises.
If you have yet to research cruise trips and don’t have a car to tour around, you should always opt for a boat ride. Because it is much smaller on a boat, you’ll see more areas you couldn’t otherwise see were you on a cruise ship.
What Are the Advantages of Going to the Beach at Night?
Going to the beach at night comes with several great experiences. Here are some of them;
Peace
During the day, the beach is usually filled with people crowding the shore. However, as the day goes on, it gets quieter as people leave the beach. Therefore you can enjoy the breeze and the sound of the sea without much disruption from people.
Star Gazing
At night, away from the light is when you can see the stars’ gaze. Therefore you move watching the stars, then at night is the perfect time to do so. You can even see other elements like the planets.
Beautiful Scenery
The beach becomes more appealing at night than during the day. When the stars and the moon reflect on the water, they create a calm and relaxing atmosphere.
Unique Experience
Going to the beach at night can create an experience you’ll remember for a long time. The silence in the darkness is usually the perfect combination for a romantic night or social time with friends.
What Beach Activities Can You Do at Night?
1. Watch The Moon
There are several fun ways you can watch the moon;
First, you can hold a ball in either hand, then turn slowly with your body until you direct your shoulder to the moon. Afterwards, turn your head and observe how the light changes, as when the moon goes through different phases.
The other way is by using a telescope and binoculars. With a telescope, you can view the shadows that reflect from the mountains to the moon’s surface. The long shadows allow you to see the mountains better than if you recalled them from the front and side of the moon.
For example, if you observe the moon using a telescope, you’ll realise that the shadows of the mountain peak are much longer than in often cases when on the terminator. As a result, the moon develops an irregular shape making the craters unique, as in the case of Petavius.
It’s the best moment to draw a lunar map of the moon’s surface, which can be helpful during the identification of its unique features. The more you observe using a telescope, the more you become a natural observer.
2. Build A Sandcastle.
The beach is ideal if you’re looking to build a castle out of sand; in some cases, you might get to the bioluminescent waves that appear on a few nights. They are tiny animals in the ocean that cause algae to produce light when they disturb them. Therefore head to the beach to see them; you might be lucky to see them.
You make the best sandcastles from the perfect combination of sand and water. If you have too much water, the mix will be too slimy, and the whisk will make your sandcastle flow, while enough water will ensure the castle holds together without collapsing. The ideal sand for making sandcastles has some seashell pieces that help bind the court.
Ted Siebert, the founder of Sand Castles, said that the best mixture should be like cake batter to hold together.
Additionally, the sand needs to be wet, so you’ll need to carry buckets of water from the sand as you build your castle. The right amount of water will hold your court together; too much water will cause your mix to slide away, while a little combination will cause the court to break before it’s complete.
Once you have built the proper foundation using wet sand, use a 3.8l bucket to fill in the sand after removing its bottom. The right amount of sand will depend on the size of the sandcastles you intend to have.
Once you have reached the desired height, start carving your castle, then decorate it. You can use anything, even mini-flags, to make your castle unique.
3. Have A Bonfire Party
Sea Bonfires are only possible at night when the environment is quiet, and no light distractions will prevent you from feeling the beauty of the sky and the water. It’s also best since there aren’t many people at the beach to distract you from your party.
Therefore, if you’re at the beach and don’t know how to spend your night, consider throwing a bonfire party for your friends. It’s a great way to catch up and have fun under the moonlight as you enjoy the dark ocean.
Bonfires are also a great way to entertain the children with the various games played at the bonfire. Whether you come with kids or not, you can choose to remember your childhood with your friends and play the games you played back then. Let me jog your memory; you can play hide and seek, flashlight tag, and have a scavenger hunt as you sing campfire songs.
You can also have bonfire-inspired treats; for example, roast marshmallows and serve them to your friends to help them stay warm on a cold night as they enjoy the ocean view.
In many cases, food cooked at an event dictates the mood. Therefore, as you pick the foods to serve your guest, ensure they are meals you can cook at the bonfire and that your guests of all kinds will have fun eating them. It means that we must select neutral foods that many people can enjoy.
The bonfire party you throw for your friends will stick with them for a long time. Regardless of the reason you are having the party, ensure it is as fun as possible and has a variety of snacks all your friends will enjoy.
Another critical element to a fun bonfire is ensuring your guests’ seats are comfortable and that you arrange them well. Some guests prefer to stay close to the fire, while a few choose to stay. Therefore ensure you consider both kinds of guests.
4. Have A Moonlight Picnic
Especially if you came on this trip with your partner, a bonfire would be the best way for the both of you to spend your evening as you connect. Additionally, a moonlight picnic is much more affordable than having dinner in a restaurant.
The beach is a beautiful picnic spot because you will always have space for various activities. The silence in the night will give you and your partner an ideal space to connect with the waves of the ocean and give you a cool breeze. You can also do several things at the beach with your partner.
Moonlight State Beach, found between Stone Steps and D Street Beach, is one of the best places to have a picnic because of the various activities you can do in the area.
Unlike most other beaches, Moonlight State Beach is open till late at night, meaning you can stay long enough to watch the sunset and the sunrise. It is also a beautiful spot for children and adults, with enough space for various activities.
What Risks will you Find on the Beach at Night?
While being at the beach at night gives you a unique experience, you need to be cautious of the risks it comes with.
Here are some of them;
Safety
As much as the night comes with many unique experiences, it also comes with more significant risks of accidents and criminal activities. Hence, if you want to visit the beach, do enough research online and from the locals to ensure the coast is safe at night. For additional caution, make sure you tag along a friend or two to reduce the chances of harm coming your way.
Wildlife
The danger of wild animals depends on the beach you’re visiting. However, the most common threat is from sea turtles that lay their eggs on the shore at night. They can be dangerous, so if you encounter any, the best action is to stay away if you experience any of the turtles.
Tides and Waves
Tides tend to get stronger from 5 PM onwards. Therefore, regardless of the temptation, you should avoid swimming at night. However, if you have to, ensure you do research on tide charts and make sure you tag along a friend or two in case anything goes wrong.