• January 1, 2025 - Updated with new information since originally published.
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  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Punaluu Beach, Hawaii

Category: Relaxing Beaches
© MNStudio/stock.adobe.com

2. Anse Chastanet, St. Lucia

© evenfh/stock.adobe.com

3. Black Sands Beach, California

Category: Relaxing Beaches
© Teressa L. Jackson/stock.adobe.com

4. Cahuita Beach, Costa Rica

Category: Relaxing Beaches
© Simon Dannhauer/stock.adobe.com

5. Kamari Beach, Greece

Category: Relaxing Beaches
© aetherial/stock.adobe.com

6. Black Sand Beach, Maui

Category: Relaxing Beaches
© idgara000/stock.adobe.com

7. Langkawi Island, Malaysia

Romantic Islands
© fiz_zero/stock.adobe.com

8. Lovina Beach, Bali

Category: Relaxing Beaches
© dinozzaver/stock.adobe.com

9. Perissa Beach, Greece

Category: Relaxing Beaches
© stock.adobe.com

10. Piha Beach, New Zealand

Category: Relaxing Beaches
© Sunreal/stock.adobe.com

11. Point Venus, Tahiti

Category: Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Thomas/stock.adobe.com

12. Santo Domingo Beach, Philippines

Category: Relaxing Beaches
© Posztos Janos/stock.adobe.com

13. Vik Beach, Iceland

Category: Relaxing Beaches
© banepetkovic/stock.adobe.com

14. Black Sand Beach, Alaska

Category: Relaxing Beaches
© Carolyn/stock.adobe.com

15. Spiaggia di Ficogrande, Stromboli, Sicily

© ThomasLENNE/stock.adobe.com

16. Karekare Beach, New Zealand

Category: Relaxing Beaches
© daisy_y/stock.adobe.com

17. Number One Beach, Dominica

Category: Relaxing Beaches
© kelifamily/stock.adobe.com

18. Playa Negro, Puerto Rico

© littleny/stock.adobe.com

19. Benijo Beach, Canary Islands

Category: Relaxing Beaches
© Roman Sigaev/stock.adobe.com

20. Monterrico Beach, Guatemala

Category: Relaxing Beaches
© Alejandro Campollo Wirestock/stock.adobe.com

21. Miho No Matsubara Beach, Japan

Category: Relaxing Beaches
© iamdoctoregg/stock.adobe.com

22. Ureki Beach, Georgia

Category: Relaxing Beaches
© dadamira/stock.adobe.com

23. Reynisfjara Beach, Iceland

Category: Relaxing Beaches
© jon_chica/stock.adobe.com

24. Kehena Black Sand Beach, Hawaii

Category: Relaxing Beaches
© SE Viera Photo/stock.adobe.com

Summary and Frequenly Asked Questions:

While they are rare, black sand beaches exist all over the world wherever there are volcanoes and where, after a millennia, the waves, rain and winds have eroded lava rocks into a fine sand. Most black sand beaches are in tropical places like Hawaii and the Philippines or in the Mediterranean such as Italy and Greece, but there are some beaches covered in black sand where you cannot simply jump into a warm surf, in places such as Alaska and Iceland.

Map:


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