They are sexy, silky and mysterious. Some are hidden and hard to find while others are well known and favored by beach lovers. Images of dark, dramatic black sand beaches elicit the idea of exotic locales but many are found on nearby shorelines. As you travel the world make sure you add a couple of these intriguing coasts to your bucket list. Here, Playa Negra on Vieques is a favorite when visiting the Spanish Virgin Islands.

Photo: Earl Howard
Hana, Maui, Hawaii

The Road to Hana takes in winding and rugged coastlines leading to a collection of black sand coves and beaches. This stretch of highway from Paia unveils sea stacks, blowholes, lava caves, waterfalls, pineapple fields and bamboo jungles. While the journey is only about 45 miles long, with over 600 hairpin turns and 50-plus one-lane bridges, the trip is a full-day excursion, if not longer. You’ll want to allow time to linger at the bottom of waterfalls and explore black sand coves. Photo: Rich Hay
Grande Anse, Trois-Rivieres, Guadeloupe

Off the beaten path, this unspoiled stretch of dark fine silky sand is lined with coconut palms and presents itself as a wild natural beauty. While popular with surfers and body boarders, the spot is best for relaxing and watching the rolling waves hit the shoreline, as swimming is not recommended. Located on the southern end of Basse- Terre near the town of Trois-Rivieres the beach offers a direct view of Les Saintes. Photo: Fredww
Hiva Oa, Tahiti

French Polynesia is known for its palm-lined strips of sand ranging from white to pink and black. The islands are volcanic by nature unveiling rugged and mountainous topside fringed with stunning coves and bays. Known as the Garden of the Marquesas, Hiva Oa, the largest island in the southern Marquesas Archipelago is lined with black sand beaches where sharp ridges and peaks plunge into the Pacific. The rugged landscape is scattered with archeological sites and ruins. Photo: Tahiti Tourisme
Playa Negra, Vieques, Puerto Rico

Vieques is an island of beaches, bays, and coves along with mangrove forests, salt flats and bioluminescent waters. Visitors spend time hiking trails, kayaking and paddle boarding. This is a place where you can sit back and dig your toes in the black silky sands, a mixture of limestone and layers of sediment created as tectonic plates lifted. Beach lovers are intrigued by a walk along the glimmering shores of contrasting shades of golden honey and rich ebony. Photo: Jordan Benge
Kamari Beach, Santorini, Greece

The Greek islands offer visitors an assortment of beaches from brilliant snow white to deep charcoal and even red. On the island of Santorini, most visitors love Kamari Beach on the island’s east coast. It’s one of the longest stretches of sand on the island and is backed by the town of its namesake, a popular resort area with eateries, bars, shops and beach clubs where booking a couple of chairs and umbrella is in order. Formed by multiple subterranean explosions, Santorini is an active volcano, however, dormant. Photo: mtm2935
Anse Chastanet, St. Lucia

While St. Lucia has its gorgeous stretches of white sand, the darker hues on the southwest corner of the island promise endless opportunities. The beach sits beneath two resorts, Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet. Unless you happen to be staying at either getting to the sand is an excursion via a rough road from Soufriere or by boat. Backed by palms and fronted by a marine reserve with natural reefs, the snorkeling and diving are amazing as well as the vista of towering mountains as a backdrop. Photo: Lucas Gilman/Anse Chastanet
Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica

The big attraction here is to surfers and those seeking solitude and relaxation. These black sands in Puntarenas, lead to some of the biggest beach breaks along the Pacific Coast and attract surfers year-round. Dark chocolate–colored dunes are backed by lush green foliage and palms providing a gorgeous canvas to view while riding a wave or lazing along the coast. A low-key tourist area, catering to surfers you’ll find an assortment of surf shops offering lessons and rentals. Photo: Max Boettinger
Punaluu Beach, The Big Island, Hawaii

The most well-known example of black dunes in the Hawaiian chain is on the Big Island. Created of basalt as lava flowed into the ocean, the jet black sand is backed by coconut palms. Ideal for swimming, when conditions are calm, taking a coastal hike, turtle watching and snorkeling nearby at Ninole Cove. Water temperatures range from warm to cool due to the freshwater spring that flows into the bay. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority
Famara Beach, Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain

According to some, this is the best beach on Lanzarote. Originally a fishing village, today’s visitors come to surf and kiteboard thanks to the predominant trade winds. Ocean currents keep swimmers close to shore; however, a walk and a splash along the shoreline make for a perfect day at the beach. Backed by and sheltered by dramatic mountain cliffs, the natural beauty is striking. Photo: AntonioJuan2
Sandy Bay, St. Vincent

In the southern Caribbean lie St. Vincent & The Grenadines, where the collection of islands is off the beaten path for most. While most beaches are of volcanic origin, there are some white stretches of sand on the southern shores. But on the northern windward side in a rural area of St. Vincent there is a beautiful wild spot at Sandy Bay. The secluded black sands, rough seas and onshore breezes make this a natural adventure just to watch. Swimming is out of the question even for the most daring. Photo: Flavio Vallenari

10 Beautiful Black Sand Beaches of the World
Published on: 8/14/19 By Debbie Snow

More Photo Galleries

Plan

The end of Highway 560 at Kee Beach marks the beginning of the wild and unsettled section of Kauai known as the Napali Coast. To explore this pristine ...

Play

Big animal encounters, Diving with Goliath Grouper

10 Places in the Tropics for Big Animal Encounters

Coral reefs and colorful tropical fish are what many seek when they embark on snorkeling or diving adventures. But there are bigger fish in the sea, and ...

Plan

50 Shades of Blue: St. Thomas Beaches

Best known for shopping, dining and nightlife, this US Virgin Island sometimes gets passed up as a beach destination. But with 40 stretches of sand, quiet ...

Plan

50 Shades of Blue: Anguilla Beaches

Anguilla is known for two things: luxury resorts and beautiful sand beaches. In all, the island offers 33 gorgeous stretches of powdery white sands formed from crushed coral and washed by clear aquamarine waters. Whether ...

Plan

Hawaii’s Natural Wonders

Hawaii is home to so many spectacular sights it's nearly impossible to picture just one iconic landscape when imagining the state's natural beauty. Sprawling beaches, towering coastal cliffs, tropical rainforests, ...

Play

Common Reef Fish of the Caribbean

What was that fish? More than 500 species of finned creatures live in the waters of the tropical Atlantic and Caribbean Sea. While you may not see them all on ...

Plan

50 Shades of Blue: Dominican Republic Beaches

The top beaches of the Dominican Republic dazzle with sugary white sands and shimmering turquoise waters. Most of these are in the Punta Cana and Bavaro ...

Plan

Great Places to Watch a Florida Sunset

As the sun sinks toward the sea, the western horizon ignites in glowing hues of orange and pink. Yet another magnificent Florida sunset is underway, bringing ...

Stay

Six Caribbean Resorts Where Irresistible Hammocks Await

The word comes to us from the Taino people: amaca. These woven strands evolved from fishing nets into chairs, beds and carry sacks. Sailors slung them in the ...

Plan

Florida Lighthouses

Lighthouses appeal to the romantic in all of us, and Florida has its share of these iconic landmarks lining the coasts. This spider- legged structure, which dates from 1873, sits atop a reef in the Florida Keys named for the ...

Plan

Birds of Costa Rica

Home to more than 800 species of birds, Costa Rica is a favorite destination among bird watchers. But you don't have to be a dedicated ornithologist to ...

Plan

7 Colorful Caribbean Harbors

Caribbean harbors have an energy all their own. In contrast to the busy industrial ports of the world, they offer a more intimate take on nautical customs. ...

Plan

50 Shades of Blue: Barbados Beaches

With more than 80 beaches to choose from, Barbados provides shore side diversions ranging from the relaxing to the inspiring and even the exhilarating. A trip ...

Plan

50 Shades of Blue: St. John Beaches, USVI

Finding a gorgeous beach on St. John is easy- the island's north shore is lined with one stunning strand after the next. Choosing a favorite beach might ...

Play

Cuba's Classic Rides

With U.S. imports cut off after the 1959 revolution, these vintage vehicles serve as a reminder of times gone by. This fleet of classic American cars from the ...

Play

How to Spot a Monkey in Costa Rica

Bird watching is fine, but for a real treat; search the treetops for monkeys the next time you are in Costa Rica. The country's extensive nature preserves ...

Play

Supermodels and Sand: 10 Top Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Locations

Sports Illustrated invented the swimsuit issue more than 50 years ago, tempting readers with images of bathing beauties vamping in some of the most scenic ...

Plan

The US Virgin Islands, Above and Below

Seen from above, the US Virgin Islands present a tantalizing hint of what lies below. When Caribbean waters transition from deep blues to vibrant ...

Plan

Earth Day Images From the Tropics

On April 22, the natural world takes center stage as humans around the globe pause to reflect on the importance of protecting and enhancing the ecosystems ...

Plan

Great Escapes and Serene Spaces

There are private spaces far removed from the crowds and the everyday world. Set against the grand tapestry of nature, these spaces engender admiration ...

Stay

Iconic Pink Beach Resorts

The historic pink hotels that grace beaches in Florida and the Caribbean harken back to the palazzos built by wealthy Italian families in the 19th ...

Stay

Dream Sleeps: Resorts with Water View Bedrooms

Imagine falling asleep to sea breezes and the sound of the surf. Or waking to a sunrise over the water. A select number of resorts around the world have ...

Plan

Birds of Panama

Panama is a bird watcher's paradise. This Central American country lies at the heart of migratory routes between North and South America, and also harbors ...

Stay

Outdoor Showers: 15 Top Resorts with Amazing Private Open-air Cascades

There's nothing like standing under the cool, cleansing flow of an outdoor shower set amid natural surroundings. While lathering up in bubbles, you might ...

Plan

12 Memorable Moments on Oahu

From historic sites and downtown diversions to natural wonders and scenic attractions, the island of Oahu has much more to offer than just sun and sand. ...

Stay

Superior Soaks: Amazing Resort Bathtubs in Tropical Garden Settings

Whether it's a cleansing dip after a day of adventures in rainforest and reef, or a relaxing immersion in preparation for a private candlelight dinner on ...

Drink

TropixTraveler's Top Picks: Margarita Recipes

Nothing says fiesta like a frosty margarita. But did you know that this most Mexican of cocktails was actually created by accident when a bartender in ...

Plan

Florida Beaches

Florida is surrounded by some of the most popular beaches in the world. But, it's still possible to find an empty stretch of sand. The key is timing. ...

Plan

10 Beautiful Black Sand Beaches of the World

They are sexy, silky and mysterious. Some are hidden and hard to find while others are well known and favored by beach lovers. Images of dark, dramatic ...

Plan

7 Amazing Caribbean Views to Add to Your Bucket List

7 Incredible Seascapes You’ll Want to Add to Your Bucket List.

Eat & Drink

Dining on the Sand in the Caribbean

We've rounded up seven of the best beach dining experiences in the Caribbean. At these resorts, you can wiggle your toes in the sand, gaze at the sun ...

Plan

50 Shades of Blue: Seychelles Most Spectacular Beaches

The granite islands of the Seychelles showcase a unique combination of ancient rock formations, soft sands

More Photo Galleries

Most Popular Articles

The Tropics are Calling

The Tropics are
Calling