Trip Ideas Beach Vacations 7 of the World's Most Beautiful Red-sand Beaches By Steven Casale Steven Casale Website Steven Casale is a New York City-based freelance writer and digital strategist. He specializes in food, travel, and lifestyle content for publications like Tasting Table, Travel + Leisure, The Lineup, and amNY.com. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on December 8, 2017 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Helmut Corneli / Alamy Stock Photo Typically, beaches come in white, gold, and shades of brown. But travelers seeking more unusual shorelines can find sands in a range of hues, including blushing pink, glittering olivine, and even dark red. Red sand typically indicates that there is a significant quantity of iron nearby, either in the earth or deposited over years of volcanic activity. Some red beaches (like Kokkini Beach in Greece) are even flanked by dramatic carmine cliffs. 15 Stunning Black-sand Beaches Around the World Visiting one of these seven gorgeous red-sand beaches — which are found in diverse destinations ranging from Hawaii to Italy, and even eastern Canada — is like traveling to a Martian landscape. 01 of 07 Kaihalulu Beach in Hawaii Photo Resource Hawaii / Alamy Stock Photo At Ka'uiki Head, on the island of Maui, there is an isolated and remote stretch of sand known as Kaihalulu Beach. Though finding your way here is a serious journey, the sight of some of the world's reddest sand is a breathtaking reward. High iron content in the surrounding area has led to the deep crimson hue of Kaihalulu Beach. But it also means the sands are rough, and appropriate footwear is a must. 02 of 07 Cavendish Beach in Canada Getty Images/iStockphoto Thanks to iron-rich soils, there are some 500 miles of reddish coastline on the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island. Cavendish Beach is just one of them, and even its surrounding cliffs are a brilliant dark vermilion. This colorful stretch of coast is part of Prince Edward Island National Park, which contains both red- and white-sand beaches. An added plus? The famed Anne of Green Gables house is nearby. 03 of 07 Porto Covo Beach in Portugal Getty Images/iStockphoto Two hours south of Lisbon is Porto Covo, a small and sleepy whitewashed fishing village in Portugal's Alentejo region. The sand at Porto Covo's main beach is red with a charred-orange tint that becomes even more vibrant when the sun sets over the Atlantic. If you come here, book a room at Cabeça da Cabra Casa De Campo, a former schoolhouse-turned-chic surf shack B&B. 04 of 07 Kokkini Beach in Greece Helmut Corneli / Alamy Stock Photo At Kokkini Beach on Santorini, nearly vertical volcanic cliffs seem to plunge directly into the Mediterranean — and their vibrant hue is heightened when contrasted with its turquoise waters. Kokkini Beach can be reached either by boat or a short (albeit steep) walk. Buses depart for this area daily from Fira, Santorini's capital. 05 of 07 Ramla I-Hamra in Malta Carole Hewer / Alamy Stock Photo Ramla Bay lies on the northern coast of Gozo (one of Malta's 21 islands), and its beachfront is colored a burnt, orange-red — a particularly striking tone set against the electric-blue sea. Because it's nestled at the bottom of a valley, Ramla I-Hamra beach is a sanctuary for wildlife and vegetation. However, it is one of the more touristy spots to lay down your beach towel on this island. 06 of 07 Porto Ferro in Italy Getty Images/iStockphoto Though more orange than red, Porto Ferro, on the western coast of Sardinia, is a beguiling sight. Ferro means "iron" in Italian, a nod to the mineral that creates its striking color. Abundant iron particles in the sands of Porto Ferro mix with limestone, bright coral pieces, and volcanic residue to give this beach an especially unusual appearance. 07 of 07 Rabida Island in Ecuador Getty Images The Galápagos archipelago is a famously remote destination known for its incredible endemic animal species and striking landscapes, and the totally off-grid, unpopulated (by people) island of Rabida is no different. Its shores are lined with large, red volcanic pebbles, as well as fragrant palo santo trees and numerous lagoons. Visitors travel by boat and arrive by wet landing to Rabida Island's one and only visitor site. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit