Polski
From the world, In this issue, Issue 14/2025
Colorful beaches of the world. There nature paints the sand
Sep
Beach is synonymous with golden sand and blue sea for most of us. But it’s hard to find someone who hasn’t come across pictures of a pink beach or a black coast at least once and thought: does this really exist? It does exist – and not just in one place. Nature can be more creative than we might think.
Colorful beaches – where does their color come from?
The unusual colors of colorful beaches are the result of thousands of years of nature’s work. The sand acquires unusual shades thanks to volcanic dust, erosion of rocks or the presence of minerals, which give it a completely different character than the golden shores we usually know. Here are the most famous colorful beaches that impress with their unusual appearance.
Pink beaches
Pink Beach (Komodo Island, Indonesia).
Komodo Island is famous for the world’s largest lizards, which have attracted travelers there for years. But those who reach this Indonesian island discover another hidden treasure there – a beach with an unusual pink hue. This color is the result of mixing the classic white sand with red borers – microscopic organisms that live in nearby coral reefs. Located in Komodo National Park (a UNESCO-listed site), the beach is under strict protection, and the waters here are a diver’s paradise – you can see hundreds of species of coral and tropical fish.
Harbour Island (Bahamas)
The Bahamas is the kingdom of white beaches, but Pink Sands Beach on Harbour Island is a different story. The nearly five-kilometer stretch of soft pink sand was created by millions of pinholes, whose red shells mingle with the bright particles of the rocks. The effect is best seen in morning or afternoon light, when the pink takes on more intense tones.
Elafonisi (Crete, Greece)
Elafonisi is one of Crete’s icons and a place that often finds its way onto lists of Europe’s most beautiful beaches. The lagoon on the southwestern tip of the island impresses with its fine, light pink sand, the color of which is the result of hundreds of years of crushing shells and coral. It is characterized by shallow, crystal-clear waters that form vast turquoise pools and, at low tide, allow you to walk to the small neighboring islet with almost a dry foot. The place is protected as a nature reserve, so it has retained its natural, almost pristine character. This unique place is quite close to Poland, so it is easy to plan a trip if only for a longer weekend to see this Greek postcard landscape with your own eyes.
Black beaches
Reynisfjara (Iceland)
Reynisfjara, located near the village of Vík í Mýrdal, is one of the world’s most famous black beaches. Its sand was formed from fragmented lava, and the rugged landscape is complemented by the basalt columns of Reynisdrangar, which legends say are fossilized trolls. The strong, unexpected waves of the Atlantic – the so-called sneaker waves – make this place extremely spectacular, but staying here requires extreme caution.
Punalu’u Beach (Hawaii, USA)
The coal-black Punalu’u Beach on Hawaii’s Big Island is a reminder that the archipelago was born of fire. The sand was created when hot lava flowed directly into the ocean, and today creates a unique contrast with the luscious green of the palm trees and the blue of the water. This is one of the few places where you can see green turtles in their natural habitat – they often lounge on the shore, paying no attention to tourists. However, Punalu’u is not only a natural attraction – for Hawaiians it has cultural significance – for centuries it has been a source of food and a resting place for local communities.
Playa Jardín (Tenerife, Canary Islands)
Playa Jardín is an example of how a beach can be given a unique character without interfering with its nature. The black volcanic sand here has been surrounded by gardens with exotic plants and flowers, which were designed by the well-known Spanish artist César Manrique. As a result, the natural qualities have been complemented by aesthetic ones – strolling along the promenades, one can admire both the ocean and the lush greenery. The beach is located in the resort of Puerto de la Cruz, and has the added benefit of views of the Teide volcano.
Green beaches
Papakōlea Beach (Hawaii, USA)
Papakōlea owes its unusual color to olivine, a mineral from the nearby Puʻu Mahan crater. Getting here requires walking several kilometers through desolate terrain, but you’ll be rewarded with a view that can’t be mistaken for any other – the emerald sand contrasts with the blue of the ocean and the rugged, volcanic landscape.
Talofofo Beach (Guam, Micronesia)
On the island of Guam, far from mass tourism, lies Talofofo Beach – a green beach whose sand also owes its color to olivine. Unlike Papakōlei, there are no crowds or noisy resorts here – instead, silence, gentle waves and a wildness awaits, which can be found in vain on popular beaches.
Red and orange beaches
Kaihalulu Beach (Maui, Hawaii)
Kaihalulu Beach is a beach hidden in the small bay of Kaihalulu. The intensely red sand is the result of eroding iron-rich cliffs, and the contrast with the blue ocean makes the landscape look almost unreal. Getting to the beach is not the easiest – the narrow, in places steep path requires finding a bit of courage, but the reward of spectacular views is well worth it.
Ramla Bay (Gozo, Malta)
On Gozo, one of the Maltese islands, lies Ramla Bay, a wide beach with intense orange-red sand. It owes its color to the high content of iron oxides in the surrounding rocks, which have eroded and mixed with the sand over hundreds of years, giving it its characteristic hue. This place has a tranquility that is lacking in the more besieged parts of the archipelago. In addition to beachcombing, it’s also worth checking out the nearby Calypso Cave, which, according to legend, was home to a mythical nymph.
Purple beach
Pfeiffer Beach (California, USA)
On the coast of Big Sur lies Pfeiffer Beach, whose purple sand is stunning in its uniqueness. The shade is due to minerals, mainly garnet and manganese, which flow down from the surrounding hills and settle in the sand, forming characteristic streaks in various shades of purple. They look most beautiful after rain and at sunset, when the colors become particularly intense. These are some of the few places in the world where nature has painted the sand, creating beaches that are works of art in themselves.
