Trip Ideas Beach Vacations 15 Stunning Black-sand Beaches Around the World By Steven Casale and Elizabeth Rhodes Elizabeth Rhodes Instagram Twitter Website Elizabeth Rhodes is an associate digital editor at Travel + Leisure, covering everything from luxury hotels to theme parks to must-pack travel products. Originally from South Carolina, Elizabeth moved to New York City from London, where she started her career as a travel blogger and writer. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on May 3, 2021 Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Tim Flach/Getty Images Editor's Note: Those who choose to travel are strongly encouraged to check local government restrictions, rules, and safety measures related to COVID-19 and take personal comfort levels and health conditions into consideration before departure. When you think of a beach vacation, you probably envision pristine white or golden sands and turquoise waters. And while there's nothing wrong with that picture, there's just something mysterious and dramatic about a black-sand beach. Dark-hued beaches are often the result of volcanic lava flow over time (like at Kehena Beach in Hawaii) or glacial activity (like at Jökulsárlón Beach in Iceland). Below is a list of 15 must-see black-sand beaches around the world, all of which possess an unrivaled contrast to the blue waters that lap their shores. More beach vacation ideas 01 of 15 Punalu’u Beach, Hawaii, United States Danita Delimont/Getty Images Located on Hawaii’s Big Island, Punalu’u Beach is frequented by sunbathers — and endangered turtles and seals. This black-sand beach gets its dark hue from years of volcanic activity that has laced its sand with lava fragments. 02 of 15 Playa Jardín, Canary Islands, Spain Walter Bibikow/Getty Images On Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, lies the touristy Playa Jardín. Considered a true urban beach, this stretch was landscaped by artist César Manrique to create a juxtaposition of dark volcanic sands and lush greenery on the nearby shore. 03 of 15 Ureki Beach, Ureki, Georgia Akaki Torotadze/Getty Images/EyeEm Although it's not located on an ocean, Georgia’s Ureki Beach lies on one of the Earth’s largest seas: the Black Sea. And while most beaches on the Black Sea do not have sand, this one does and it allegedly has healing properties — something that's kept swimmers flocking here for centuries. 04 of 15 Perivolos Beach, Santorini, Greece Christopher Groenhout/Getty Images Santorini is known for its stunning beachfronts and stark white stone buildings, but Perivolos Beach on the island’s southern shore is lesser known. Head to this beach, in the town of Perissa, and take in the sight of ancient black sand next to the deep blue of the Mediterranean. 05 of 15 Kehena Beach, Hawaii, United States Glowimages RM / Alamy Stock Photo Kehena Beach, on Hawaii's Big Island, is a small strip of sand surrounded by cliffs. It's also a popular choice among visitors who like to sunbathe nude (although this is technically not allowed). 06 of 15 Piha Beach, Piha, New Zealand Getty Images On the western coast of New Zealand’s North Island lies Piha Beach, an oftentimes rough surf beach complete with black sand. Visitors claim that in the summer, the sand is hotter here than on most other beaches. 07 of 15 Miho no Matsubara, Shizuoka City, Japan Getty Images For centuries, Japanese artists have depicted the majestic Mount Fuji from the shores of Miho no Matsubara, a beach that provides perfect views of the summit. The beach is also known for its distinctive pine trees. 08 of 15 Jökulsárlón Beach, Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland Tim Flach/Getty Images Iceland is a hotbed of volcanic and geothermal activity, and it is these natural forces that created the black sands at Jökulsárlón Beach. Located on a glacial lake in southeastern Iceland, Jökulsárlón is known for its glistening black sand covered in large pieces of icebergs. For this reason, it has gained the moniker “Diamond Beach.” 09 of 15 Playa Negra, Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica UIG via Getty Images Though surfers head here for sought-after right-hand barrel waves, Playa Negra also lures visitors with its long stretch of black sand (hence its name). Note: The beach is only accessible by dirt road. 10 of 15 Papenoo Beach, Papenoo, Tahiti Getty Images/DeAgostini Tucked away next to the green mountains of Tahiti, Papenoo Beach draws adventure seekers because of the river mouth that empties there. Waters can get rough, but the stark black sands make it worth the visit. 11 of 15 Spiaggia di Ficogrande, Stromboli, Italy Getty Images Italy is known for its picturesque coastline, but this volcanic island off the coast of Sicily offers a unique black-sand beach popular among locals and visitors alike. 12 of 15 Black Sands Beach, California, United States Getty Images You don't have to take a long-haul flight to see a dramatic dark coast. Black Sands Beach, near San Fransisco, offers an option for beachgoers in the continental United States. 13 of 15 Playa Negra, Vieques, Puerto Rico Getty Images Sure, Puerto Rico is home to plenty of stunning golden beaches, but this peaceful black-sand stretch (aptly named Playa Negra) is a must-see if you're in the area. 14 of 15 Rosalie Bay Beach, Rosalie, Dominica Courtesy of Rosalie Bay Eco Resort & Spa This black-sand beach is located just steps from the Rosalie Bay eco-resort, where you can enjoy views of the distinctly colored sand from your room. Plus, this is a popular beach for sea turtle nesting. 15 of 15 Keramas Beach, Bali, Indonesia Ed Sloane/World Surf League via Getty Images This stunning beach in Bali is especially popular among surfers, so it's a great place to hit the waves (or at least watch as surfers ride in over the black sand). Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit