When we think of sea beaches, we visualize long stretches of golden or white sands, lining the turquoise waters of the sea. But, there are some beaches in the world that are far from golden. Some are quite muddy and unremarkable, while some beaches have remarkably tinged in pink or even black. Across the globe, there are some beaches covered in black sands formed from volcanic lava. Here are top 10 black beaches from around the world. Let us take a look:
The 10 Best Black Beaches in The World
10. Cahuita Beach, Costa Rica
The Cahuita Beach, which is also known as Playa Negra, is a black beach that lines the small city of Cahuita on the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica. It is the most famous of the country’s several black beaches, all formed because of the 200 identifiable volcanic formations. The 3.5km beach is over 40km south of Puerto Limon, and has been honoured with the Ecological Blue Flag several times.
9. Piha Beach, New Zealand
Piha, a coastal settlement nestled on the west coast of Auckland, about 40km from the city, in New Zealand, is lined by the Piha Beach, one of the most famous beaches in the world, covered in black sands that burn the feet, particularly in summer. The sand in this beach is black because of the high content of iron in it, and its volcanic origin. Piha Beach is known all over the world as a surfing beach.
See also – World’s 10 Most Beautiful Crater Lakes.
8. Kamari Beach, Greece
Kamari, a coastal village on the southern part of Santorini, is an island which belongs to the Cyclades archipelago of Greece. The Kamari Beach is one of the most noteworthy black beaches in the world, covered in sand and shingles. The enormous rock salt, the Meso Vouno, rising from the sea, is a treat for the eyes. There are facilities like sunbeds and umbrellas to relax here, as well as of water sports.
See also; World’s Top 10 Cliff-Side Beaches.
7. Santo Domingo Beach, Albay
The best of the black sand beaches in Albay, Philippines, formed as a result of volcanic activities of the Mayon volcano, is in the region of Santo Domingo. The Santo Domingo Beach, commonly known as the Sto. Domingo Beach, is one of the finest, purest, most authentic beaches in the world, known mainly for the excellent view of the black swath, crystal waters, blue skies and looming Mt. Mayon.
6. Black Sands Beach, California
The Black Sands Beach in the Lost Coast of California is the most easily accessible black sand beaches in the area. It is located near Shelter Cove in Humboldt County, and is primarily covered with wonderfully smooth pebbles of black colour, which give the beach its unique look. There are several coves with beautiful plants and flowers on them, as well as tide pools to explore, here.
5. Black Sand Beach, Alaska
The Black Sand Beach, located in Alaska’s Prince William Sound, is unlike other warm beaches where you can lie basking in the sun. With icebergs deposited and stranded on the beach for most the year, and tidewater glaciers just a 5 minute paddle away, it is a cold beach that call for warm clothing. During warmer months, sea kayakers come to this beach as the mountains protect them from winds.
4. Langkawi Island, Malaysia
The beach of the Langkawi Island of Malaysia has a strange combination of black and white sands with a streaky look. The black sand makes for quite a geological peculiarity that has always confused scientists. Local believe that the black sands are the remnants of a war that broke out between a mythical half-man-half-eagle named Garuda, and a Roman prince over a beautiful Chinese princess.
See also; 10 Best Places to Visit in Malaysia.
3. Thiruvambadi Beach, India
Affectionately known as the Black Beach, the Thiruvambadi Beach in the north Varkala, a small town in Kerala, India, sees fewer crowds than popular beaches. Varkala is a hidden gem, and is one of the lesser known black beaches in the world. Located near coconut grove with a cliff ending further north, the Black Beach is partially covered in black sand which contains a radioactive substance.
See also; 10 Best Places for Honeymoon in India.
2. Point Venus, Tahiti
The beach of Point Venus, a peninsula near Papeete is the most famous black sand beach of Tahiti, the largest French Polynesian island. Legend has it that the beach was named s after Capt. James cook saw the transit of Venus from a point between the beach and a river. The water of the bay here is calm, and the view of the beach along the sea is spectacular. Cook is believed to have landed here.
See also; 10 Best Honeymoon Locations Around the World.
1. Vik Beach, Iceland
Vik Beach lies in Iceland, directly in the path that leads to the Katla Volcano in Iceland. In fact, it lies directly under the Mýdalsjökull glacier which is set atop the volcano. Formed by hot lava flowing into the sea, it is set in the foreboding atmosphere of Iceland, with wild and cold winds and clown-billed puffins. The black basalt archways, and sea stacks called Reynisfjall, add an aura of mystery to it.
Some of the other black sand beaches in the world are Anse Chastanet in St. Lucia, US, Tithal Beach in Gujarat, India, and Lighthouse Beach in Kovalam, India where there are several such small black beaches. Playa Negra Beach, Vieques in the Caribbean island named Puerto Rico, the Black Sand Beaches in Albay in the Bicol Province of the Philippines. Also, Kare-Kare and Bethel’s Beach in Auckland, an area with many black beaches.
Cahuita Beach and Coco, Flamingo and Portete beaches in Costa Rica in Central America , etc. Hawaii is full of beaches with black sand, especially in Maui. Some of the beaches in Maui are Honokalani Black Sand Beach, Oneuli Beach, Waianapanapa Black Sand Beach, etc. Some other black beaches in Hawaii are Kehena Beach, Pololu Valley Beach, Kaimu Beach and many more.