11 colorful beaches for an extra vibrant getaway

Updated September 2, 2024

All over the world, there’s no shortage of incredible beaches with amazing vibes, clear blue waters, and soft golden sands.

But if you’re seeking something a little different, these colored sand beaches might just be what you’re looking for. Sink your feet into the soft pink sands of Indonesia or the green (yes, green) shores of Hawaii. They’re great for all your favorite beach activities too…with a few surprises.

Punalu’u Black Sand Beach is a popular spot on Hawaii’s Big Island for two reasons: incredible ocean views and wildlife. It's home to Hawaiian green sea turtles and endangered hawksbills. All year round, they’ll crawl onto the warm black sands to ‘sunbathe.’ Bring a hammock to tie between the trees and relax with them. And if you plan to hop in the water, be sure to bring water shoes, as it's quite rocky.

There are a few ways to reach this gorgeous beach. It's about an hour's drive from Kailua-Kona or Hilo, so if you have a rental car, head to the beach's free (and surprisngly spacious) parking lot. Or, join this small-group tour that departs from Kailua-Kona. It’ll take you to many of the island’s best spots, including Punalu’u and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Vacationing in Maui? Honokalani Black Sand Beach is another Hawaiian gem, located in Wai'anapanapa State Park. The best time to visit is in summer, when the waves are calmer and perfect for a dip. If you’re not keen to get wet, there's still plenty to explore along the coastal trail, including lava tubes and blow holes. (No matter how you take in the beach, you'll need to book tickets in advance to access it and the rest of the state park.)

Getting to Honokalani is an adventure in itself. It’s along the Hana Highway (or Road to Hana), a 64-mile road that passes through the island’s must-sees, and has over 600 turns. Enjoy a stress-free scenic drive with this Road to Hana tour, which includes a stop at this beach and other attractions like Ke‘anae Point.

Black volcanic sands, towering basalt columns, mysterious caves, and roaring Atlantic waves. Reynisfjara Beach in South Iceland may not be your typical tropical beach, but it’s just as spectacular. Visit in summer and you might see puffins, too. Just give the water itself a wide berth—sneaker waves can form at any time of year and are surprisingly dangerous.

Many tours to the south coast from Reykjavik (like this one) stop by this incredible spot. They also include visits to other marvelous sights, like Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss Falls. If you want to DIY a trip, stay at a nearby hotel and be sure to check out the equally popular black sand beach on the other side of the Reynisfjall mountain, right outside Vík í Mýrdal.

Perissa Beach is a magical place, coated in velvety black sand that shimmers under the Mediterranean sun. It’s also a fantastic spot for alfresco dining, Santorini sunsets, and great nightlife. You can visit all year round, but summer’s the best time for water sports and swimming. To get there, you can stay near the beach for easy access—or go on a private full-day tour from Santorini, which also stops at Santorini's famed Red Beach (Kokkini Paralia) in Akrotiri.

Can’t get enough of Santorini’s black sand beaches? Explore lesser-known spots like Caldera Beach and Eros Beach with this horse-riding tour. Go in the evening to get the perfect sunset shot.

With endless blue skies, shallow waters, and dusty pink sands, Elafonisi Beach is a must-visit when in Crete. Don't expect the whole beach to be pink, though—you'll get the best view right on the shoreline, where the waves deposit the colorful sand. And Elafonisi isn’t the only pink sand beach on the island, either. Balos Lagoon and Falassarna Beach are popular options that you can visit on a semi-private Jeep tour.

You can stay nearby—the Elafonisi Resort is a great pick for families, since each casita has its own kitchenette—but if you’re staying in Chania, you can easily get to the beach on a full-day tour.

It’s easy to see why travelers love Pink Sands Beach in the Bahamas. This dreamy spot has it all: beach chairs, umbrellas, shallow turquoise waters, and soft pale pink sands. Fun fact: the color comes from foraminifera, microscopic organisms with red or pink shells. The beach is about three miles long, so you'll have plenty of room to spread out, and its sand feels cool all year round. If you're looking for the perfect pic, avoid August to October, as the weather get rainy.

You can walk, bike, or ride an electric golf cart from anywhere on Harbour Island to Pink Sands Beach. Those vacationing in Nassau can visit with this tour, which includes snorkeling with pigs and manta rays.

Komodo National Park is full of strange yet stunning wonders. Comprising nearly 30 islands, you’ll find breathtaking vistas, wild Komodo dragons, and a rosy pink sand beach, also known as Pantai Merah on the island of Komodo itself.

Surrounded by crystal-clear waters and rocky mountains, Pink Beach is perfect for swimming, sightseeing, and snorkeling. The dry season runs from April to November, but September is a great time to visit for cooler days and fewer crowds.

While there aren’t many accommodation options on the island, you can stay at a hotel in Labuan Bajo and book this adventurous Komodo National Park tour. Activities include island-hopping, hiking, and snorkeling.

Nestled in Prince Edward Island National Park is Cavendish Beach. Stroll along the beach or boardwalk to admire the rust-colored sands. Come summer, there's a lifeguard for safe swimming—plus restrooms, campgrounds, and plenty of parking. Tip: hit the boardwalk trail into the dunes at sunset for gorgeous views of the sun setting over the marshes and red sandstone cliffs.

While there are no beachfront hotels, you’ll find plenty nearby in Cavendish—which hosts an annual country music festival each July—or Charlottetown, 30 minutes away and the center of all things Anne of Green Gables.

Thousands of years ago, a cinder cone volcano erupted and spewed olivine-rich lava into a bay. The minerals cooled to form green crystals, giving Papakōlea Beach its rare, mossy color.

Despite its fame, this beach is incredibly remote. It can only be accessed by hiking, and the start point is a two-hour drive from Kailua-Kona, on the Big Island. A roundtrip journey is about five miles and is unshaded most of the way, so start early to beat the midday heat. Pack plenty of sunscreen and lots of water, grab a Spam musubi from a convenience store en route for the ultimate mid-hike snack.

One of Gozo’s best-known beaches, Ramla Bay has bright, orange-colored sands and deep blue waters. Though remote, it’s equipped with a surprisingly amount of amenities, like sunbeds and showers. There’s also a local restaurant and an ice cream truck near the entrance too. When you need a break from the ocean, hike up to Tal Mixta Cave and enjoy panoramic views of the beach below.

The nearest hotels are in the town of Xagħra, about a 20-minute drive away. You can get to the beach via public transportation, car, or taxi. For those staying on the main island, visit Ramla Bay and other Gozo gems on this tour, which includes a private ferry ride.

Tucked away on Sardinia’s northwest coast, Porto Ferro Beach (or Spiaggia di Porto Ferro) offers a long stretch of orange sands—a combination of orange limestone, crushed shells, and volcanic deposits. While it isn’t the best for swimming (the waves can get a little rough), there are still plenty of things to do. Stroll over to the scenic Lake Baratz, learn how to surf, or try sunbathing in the nude if you feel extra adventurous.

Like most parts of Italy, summer is the best time to visit Porto Ferro Beach. Arrive early to secure a good spot, and soak up the laid-back vibes and pleasant sea breeze.

This spot isn’t exactly a colored sand beach, but it’s still worth checking out. Located in Fort Bragg, the Glass Beach is filled with millions of tiny, multi-colored piece of seaglass. The beach started out as a landfill in the early 1900s and, since then, the glass shards have been sanded down by waves, rocks, and everything in between creating a shoreline of pebble-like glass. Go at low tide to see the sea glass sparkle.

Don’t forget to swing by the Sea Glass Museum too. Opened by a retired sea captain, the collection features all sorts of rare sea glass, including some that glow in the dark. Fort Bragg is a four-hour drive from San Francisco and you can spend the night at a cozy hotel near Glass Beach.