Travel

10 BEAUTIFULLY DARK BEACHES HAPPENING NOW

Jökulsárlón, Iceland. Photo by Stig Nygaard.

Want to go someplace beautiful and black? Check out these 10 beautiful black beaches we found -- from Iceland to New Zealand… they are astonishingly gorgeous.

1. JӦKULSÁRLÓN -- ICELAND

Jökulsárlón is a large glacial lake on the edge of the Vatnajökull National Park, in southeast Iceland. It is ringed by a volcanic black sand beach.

It developed when the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier began to recede from the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, and has continued to grow as the glacier continues to melt. It is now the deepest lake in Iceland.

The magnificent black beach is particularly special is it is studded with jewel-like luminous blue iceberg nuggets that have broken off from the main.

If it looks familiar, it may be because Jökulsárlón has been a setting for four Hollywood movies: A View to a Kill, Die Another Day, Tomb Raider and Batman Begins, as well as the "reality TV" series Amazing Race.

2. VIK BEACH -- ICELAND

One of the most spectacular black beaches in the world is Vik Beach in southern Iceland. Black sand covers the shore of this massive beach. Unlike most beaches, the climate is cold so you won’t spend your time here sunbathing and swimming, although black sand absorbs heat from the sun better than white sand does.

The 68m high volcanic rock columns you see rising up out of the sea are known locally as Reynisdrangar.

The beach stretches out for five kilometers, edged by faceted basalt, known as “Fingers Troll,” which, according to legend are made up of petrified trolls.

This is all set against a backdrop of green mountains and a permanent veil of fog.

You won’t exactly enjoy beach weather here. It rains 340 days a year.

3. WOODLANDS BEACH -- MONTSERRAT

The Caribbean island of Montserrat boasts one of the most beautiful black sand beaches ever. In addition to the black volcanic iron-rich sand, you can find, green and red crystals mixed in.

The island was last rocked by eruptions from the Soufrière Hills Volcano in 1995 and 1997 which made its southern region uninhabitable. But Woodlands Beach, with its black sand crescent beach, lined with majestic cliffs here is totally worth a visit.

4. MURIWAI BEACH -- NEW ZEALAND

Muriwai Beach, is a coastal community on the west coast of the Auckland Region in the North Island of New Zealand. Its black sand, created by the giant Kaipara Volcano 23 million years ago, stretch all along the coast.

The beach was used extensively for motor racing from the 1920s through to the 1940s. It is also an important birdlife area -- home to a large colony of gannets, among others.

Take a beautiful horseback ride along the beach, as well as through the extensive tracks behind the sand dunes.

Enjoy amazing world-class surfing, paragliding, and hang gliding. Or go for a mountain bike ride along the mainly downhill and freeride trails.

5. BLACK SAND BEACH, PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND -- ALASKA

Black Sand Beach, at the edge of Prince William Sound, in Alaska, is a Beautiful Dark treasure.

Check out the tidewater glaciers, waterfalls, green hillsides, and incredible wildlife. Then look up to see the ten-thousand-foot peaks and down to see them reflected in the beautiful icy blue water.

It is a gorgeous place to kayak.

6. PUNALUU BEACH -- HAWAII

Punaluu Beach, located on the Big Island of Hawaii, is considered one of the top black sand beaches in the world. Endangered Hawksbill turtles and Green sea turtles basking in the sun here only add to its beauty.

The beach is irrigated by cold underground fresh water, which is said to look like gasoline mixing with the water. In the Hawaiian language puna luʻu means "spring [water] diver for" after a legendary ancient diver that came to get fresh water during a drought.

The black sand is so precious, it is illegal to take it off of the beach.

7. BLACK SAND BEACH, LOST COAST -- CALIFORNIA

Black Sand Beach, on the Lost Coast of California is an isolated beauty. You have to to climb very high peaks to reach it.

The 3.5 mile stretch of black beach faces west, with offshore reefs just north of the town of Shelter Cove, 45 miles south of Eureka in Northern California.

8. THE GIANT’S CAUSEWAY BEACH -- IRELAND

The Giant’s Causeway, along the north coast of Ireland, is a mind-blowing beautiful black land formation that looks like it is from another planet. It is made up of approximately 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, which formed as a result of an ancient volcanic eruption.

It is breathtaking -- sometimes referred to as the Eighth Wonder of the World. It was declared as Ireland’s first World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1986. The rugged coastline is punctuated with deep glens and lush forest parks. The Causeway Coastal Route offers one of the most outstanding scenic touring drives in the world.

9. PENMON BEACH -- WALES

The award-winning black beach at Penmon, Wales, sometimes glows with bioluminescent plankton, adding to the spiritual vibe of this historic region.

Check out the gorgeous monastery and associated 12th-century church, dovecote, and monuments. Enjoy the stunning views of Snowdonia to the south across the Menai Strait.

Take a forest walk to the medieval Aberlleiniog Castle and tuck into a colorful local pub when you are done.

10. KEHENA BEACH -- HAWAII

The beautiful black Kehena Beach (also known as Dolphin Beach) is situated just down the coast from Kilauea and the lava flow of the Pu’u’O’o vent. It is surrounded by a 30 foot high rock cliff, with rocky peninsulas jutting into the ocean at both ends, creating a cove.

Be prepared for a challenging hike to get to this sweet spot -- there is a steep descent down to the sea. Dolphins love to play offshore.

A grove of ironwood trees offers shade from the sun, but the fine black sand heats up pretty fast anyway. Despite these potential hazards, clothing is optional here.

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