To rest and recharge our batteries, it’s hard to beat the restorative power of beach time. There’s something incomparably therapeutic about getting horizontal by the seaside: Sultry breeze whispering across your skin. Salt water drying in your hair. The soft touch of warm sand on your toes. Want something a little more exciting than your average blue-water-and-vanilla-sand varieties? Then I suggest you turn on, tune in, and beach out on one of these surreal colourful beaches.
I’ve been to 60 countries across all 7 continents, so I know how to do my travel research. Now I’ve done all the research to help you reach this rainbow of colourful beaches. There are pink beaches, red beaches, black beaches, orange beaches, a purple beach, and even a green one. Read on for the most colourful beaches on earth, how to get yourself to each one, and where to stay when you arrive. Carry on until the end or you’ll miss the mind-blowing multi-coloured beaches! 🤯
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1. Elafonisi Beach (Crete, Greece)
DETAILS
Elafonisi is one of the relatively few beaches in Greece that offers up fine, velvety sand instead of the more ubiquitous pebbles. It lies just over 46 miles southwest of the classical Greek city of Chania. The powdery sand gets its blushing hue from two things. First, eroded coral. Secondly, the calcium carbonate sediment left behind by countless generations of foraminifera—a type of plankton with rosy pink shells. Salmon-coloured sand aside, the sea here is remarkable in its own right. It’s a lagoon that maxes out at 1 metre deep, as opposed to open ocean. In other words, you can get your wade on through balmy, thigh-deep water all the way from the mainland to Elafonisi island, some 400 feet southwest. This wade-ability makes Elafonisi one of the best colourful beaches to relax at.
STAY
There’s no shortage of accommodation to choose from in Chania. The adults-only Domes Noruz Chania has some rooms that open directly onto the Aegean Sea, others with private plunge pools, and the price tag to match those luxuries (£312+ GBP per night). Alternatively, Alcanea Boutique Hotel has a lantern-lit courtyard, rooms with balconies, and a killer location in the middle of Chania’s Old Town. It’s also a steal with doubles starting at just over £78 GBP per night. Whichever hotel you’re headed to from the airport, Holiday Taxis can send a driver to take you there in style.
LOGISTICS
Travel in September or October to skip the notoriously high winds of springtime and the copious crowds of summer. However, you’ll still get the perfect weather. Chania has an international airport, making it easy to reach.
You can skip the tour bus crowd by booking this excellent private tour from Crete Wanderer. If you don’t mind navigating the hairpin turns yourself, you can rent a car.
2. Tangsi Beach (Lombok, Indonesia)
DETAILS
Tangsi Beach is a laid-back fishing village on the Indonesian island of Lombok, about 60 miles east of Bali. It’s one of the most remote colourful beaches on this list, so getting there makes for an adventure. However, it’s a scenic one winding through lush emerald rice fields and past local shepherds herding goats and buffalo. Your efforts will be rewarded with a long crescent of soft, dusty peach sand. Furthermore, it’s bordered by verdant tropical forest on one side and clear aquamarine water on the other. The colour of Tangsi beach comes from the profusion of tiny, sand-sized grains of bright crimson coral that have mingled with white sand.
STAY
Tangsi Beach is a three-hour drive from the pricey resorts on Lombok’s north-western shore. One of the most unique is Hotel Tugu Lombok. It has a Majapahit-style collection of suites and villas scattered along the pristine white-sand Sire Beach (doubles from £234 GBP). To stay in the vicinity of Tangsi Beach instead, have a look at Jeeva Beloam Beach Camp. It has beach-front bungalows with thatched grass roofs and hot showers from £202 GBP. Conveniently, it’s a twenty-minute drive away from Tangsi. In either case, your hotel can send a driver to pick you up from the airport.
LOGISTICS
Some say the beach is at its pinkest in the morning light. So I recommend making an early start and doing so in a rental car. Scooters don’t hold up well on the last ten kilometres of poorly maintained road.
It costs 50,000 IDR (about £4 GBP) per person to enter the beach. Alternatively, Bale Laut Tours offers an exceptionally well-rated boat trip and snorkelling excursion. This tour departs from Lombok International Airport and hotels in the vicinity and it costs £70 per person.
3. Reynisfjara, Iceland
DETAILS
The violent sneaker waves and frigid sea temperatures of Reynisfjara don’t make for good swimming. Still, the jet black sand and eerie atmosphere are alluring enough to land this beach on our shortlist of the best colourful beaches on earth. It’s one of the must-dos for any visitor to Iceland’s southern coast. The obsidian shores come from lava rapidly cooled by convergence with the ocean and the beach is punctuated by towering basalt sea stacks called Reynisdrangar. According to local folklore, they were once trolls whose appetites for ship-snatching drew them out to sea too late at night. Afterward, they couldn’t make it back ashore before dawn broke, turning them to stone.
STAY
Hotel Vik I Myrdal is the best lodging money can buy in the vicinity. It’s a modern boutique-style hotel with panoramic views of the surrounding volcanic wilderness (doubles from £272 GBP in the summer).
LOGISTICS
Reynisfjara is only about 112 miles from Reykjavík so it’s a feasible day trip from the capital. Splurge on a private guide and driver to go exactly when and where you want (£527 from Top Iceland Tours). Or join this small group tour from Troll Expeditions for £145 per person. It visits Reynisfjara beach and includes a Sólheimajökull Glacier hike. Also included is all the gear you’ll need (such as a helmet, crampons, and ice axes). Should you choose to make your own road trip of it, there are many mind-boggling natural wonders to savour along the south coast. For instance, thundering waterfalls, soaring volcanoes, and vast glaciers. Rent a car from Discover Cars to be your own captain.
4. Bali, Indonesia
DETAILS
For sea that you can actually swim in, black-sand-seekers should head to Bali. It is doubtlessly the most storied of Indonesian islands. Also, it happens to be ringed with soft, inky beaches resulting from eons of volcanic activity. Some of the best are Keramas, Amed, Lovina, and Echo. These colourful beaches are all jet black.
STAY
For a world-class splurge, those with a honeymoon budget can spring for Soori Bali. The resort is set on its own stretch of sable sand backed by emerald green rice paddies. The 48 spacious villas are exceptionally well-designed and each comes with a private pool. You know, in case you tire of all that swimming in the sea (doubles from £858 GBP). For a serious steal at £33 GBP per night, Kishi-Kishi ArtVilla is a short ten-minute drive from Keramas black-sand beach. The traditional Balinese villas there won’t leave you wanting for luxury.
LOGISTICS
Flights arrive at Denpasar’s Ngurah Rai International Airport. Driving your own rental car isn’t recommended due to poorly maintained roads and driving customs that are very unfamiliar to foreigners. You can pre-book your private airport pickup and drop-off with Bali Holiday Secrets. They’re run by a lovely Aussie chap called Michael. I used his friendly and capable drivers many times when I visited Bali for a month in 2022. In addition to airport pickup, they offer private cars with local drivers. They will happily cart you all over the island for as little as £46 GBP per day. This way, you can see all the colourful beaches you want!
5. Red Beach (Santorini, Greece)
DETAILS
There are deep amber cliffs towering above Red Beach on the Aegean isle of Santorini. They make for one of the most dramatic backdrops on our list of colourful beaches. Those cliffs are also responsible for the brick red colour of the pebbly sand. It’s made up of particles of igneous rock from the bluffs, pulverised by landslides and tide action. All this garnet glory is just a short hike from the archaeological site of Akrotiri. Conveniently, there are beach chairs and umbrellas available to rent in the summer months.
STAY
If you’re after the proverbial white Grecian villa sprawled across the steep sea-facing cliffs of Santorini’s caldera, book at Vedema. It’s a 15th-century winery-turned-luxury-retreat in the medieval village of Megalohori, a quick 15-minute drive from Red Beach (doubles from £416 GBP). For a more modest budget, Villa Galinia has the same iconic white-washed Cycladic architecture from £75 GBP/night. It’s just over a mile from Red Beach.
LOGISTICS
I recommend visiting Santorini in May, June, or September. This way, you will pass on the thickest of the crowds but keep the best of the warmth. Wherever you stay, Holiday Taxis will send a capable local driver to meet you at the airport and whisk you away to your own slice of paradise. One there, it’s easy to get around with taxis, rental cars, and even buses. Your hotel can help you with routing. There’s a footpath down to the beach from Akrotiri, and you’ll notice signage designating the beach as “unsafe.” This is because of rock slides, which the area is indeed prone to. Decide for yourself, but the hazard is mild enough that it doesn’t discourage hundreds of daily visitors during high season.
6. Kaihalulu Beach (Maui, Hawaii)
DETAILS
Kaihalulu’s striking deep red sands and sapphire waters make it one of the most gorgeous colourful beaches in the world. It’s separated from the small, isolated town of Hana, Maui by the Ka’uiki Head cinder cone. The cinder cone is the source of the crunchy rust-red sediment that bestows the beach with its bold burgundy hue. It’s important to note that this most breathtaking of colourful beaches is clothing-optional. Also, it requires a short but legitimately treacherous hike to reach.
STAY
Hana perches atop the lush green cliffs at the eastern tip of Maui, surrounded by forest reserves, national parks, and state parks. It’s a 35-minute drive from the next town—tiny Nahiku (population 200). If, like me, you need air conditioning to sleep, the best you can do is rent a cottage or house with an air-conditioned bedroom.
This cottage in Hana town is within walking distance of the red sand beach (from £230/night). It has both indoor and outdoor showers. If air conditioning isn’t a deal-breaker for you, this cottage is located ocean-front on Hana Bay black sand beach. It’s still within walking distance of the red sand beach. While it doesn’t come with climate control, it’s the most stylish stay in town. Not only that, but you’ll get to see two shades of colourful beaches by staying here.
LOGISTICS
The ideal times to visit Maui are spring (April-May) and fall (September-November). During these months, you’ll find pleasant weather without the high prices and hefty crowds you can expect in the summer and winter. Hana is a 30-minute, £39-59 economy-only flight from Kahului Airport (Maui’s main air hub). Alternatively, you can take a very curvy and very beautiful 125-minute drive. For road travel, rent a car—there’s no public bus service to Hana. Once in Hana, Kaihalulu Beach can be reached via trail from the Hana Community Center’s playing field. Be aware that it’s a very steep and slippery path made of loose cinders and pine needles. If you risk it, proceed with extreme caution. But I think this is one of the colourful beaches that’s worth the adventure.
7. Playa Roja (Reserva Nacional de Paracas, Peru)
DETAILS
The saturated mahogany hue of Peru’s Playa Roja makes it one of the most striking colourful beaches on earth. Especially given with the ochre sands of the desert behind it and the dusky teal of the sea before it. The crimson colour of the sand is a product of erosion from the nearby Punta Santa Maria massif. The bright golden sediment of the surrounding desert is quickly carried out to sea by the surf, while the heavier iron-oxide-rich maroon sand is left behind. This combination makes Playa Roja one of the rare two-toned colourful beaches on our list.
STAY
The spacious and beautifully appointed rooms at La Hacienda Bahia Paracas start at a generous 592 square feet. All come with a private log-trimmed terrace, and the best offer panoramic ocean views across Paracas Bay (doubles from £195 GBP). If you’re spending most of your budget elsewhere on this trip, check out Condominio Nuevo Paracas. It’s a well-appointed and well-rated beach condo located just north of the reserve (from £75/night). If that unit is booked, this Ocean View Apartment is in the same complex and starts at £117/night.
LOGISTICS
Peru’s Paracas Peninsula, a 3.5-hour drive south of Lima, has one of the world’s most arid coast-lines. The national reserve is worth renting a car to make the trip for many reasons beyond the red beach. For instance, sea lions, marine birds, a mysterious geoglyph, and a museum full of ancient relics. It’s worth noting that Playa Roja itself is inaccessible on most guided tours. This is because of its protected status (the whole reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage site). In addition, it’s surrounded by steep desert cliffs.
However, Pablito Travel Adventure offers private tours from £47/person to see it from above. Likewise, Lima Highlights Travel & Tours will take you on a small-group day trip from Lima. Prices start at £168/person for a minimum of 3 people. It’s also true that no one will stop you if you drive yourself there and clamber down to the beach. Just remember that there’s no infrastructure here, so caretaking the landscape starts and ends with you. I would recommend studying and following the seven Leave No Trace principles carefully before you go.
8. Papakōlea Green Sand Beach (Mahana Bay, Hawaii)
DETAILS
The extraordinary olive green sand of Papakōlea Beach makes it one of the most unusual colourful beaches in the world. In this case, it takes a few heaps of effort to get there. The beach is on Hawaii’s Big Island and the nearest town is Waiohinu (population 213). From there, it’s a 25-minute drive to South Point harbour, where you’ll begin your 2.5-mile (one way) hike to the beach. However, the payoff is more than worth it. You can’t beat the surreal views of the electric cyan waves lapping against an olive-hued coast. If you’re an early bird, the green sand turns nearly chartreuse in the morning sunlight. The unique moss-toned sediment is a product of the olivine crystals shed by the surrounding cinder cone of the Mauna Loa volcano.
STAY
For something luxe, book a room at Volcano Village Lodge. It’s 54 miles (a 1:14 drive time) up the road in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The bungalows have cathedral ceilings and walls full of picture windows to show off the surrounding rainforest. As a result, guests feel like they get to live in their very own tropical treehouse. Don’t miss checking out the active Kilauea Volcano just 15 minutes’ drive away (doubles from £309 GBP). Want a lower-priced pad that’s quite a bit closer to Papakōlea Beach? Check out Sea Mountain’s Polynesian-style studios and apartments (40 minutes’ drive). They’re beautifully decorated and include full kitchens and in-unit laundry facilities (doubles from £96 GBP).
LOGISTICS
You’ll want to fly into Hilo if you’re staying at either of our recommended hotels on the east side of the island. Otherwise, Kona is also a viable option. Either way, it’s best to rent a car since Papakōlea Beach is remote.
The lighting is best (and the temperatures are most comfortable for hiking) before noon. In addition, avoiding weekends will mean fewer crowds. The hike is 2.5 miles each way. While it isn’t difficult, expect heat, because the route is completely exposed to the sun.
You may see touts offering rides from the parking lot to Papakōlea Beach in 4WD vehicles. Be aware that the fragile landscape is protected by law and that these vendors are operating illegally. I strongly recommend grabbing a sun hat and enjoying the journey on your own two feet. It’s worth it to reach the only green sand beach on our list of the most colourful beaches on earth.
9. Ramla Bay (Gozo, Malta)
DETAILS
On the northern coast of the Maltese island of Gozo lies the dazzling orange crescent of Ramla Bay. The burnt sienna shade of the sand is unique on our list of colourful beaches. It’s caused by elevated levels of iron and gives a remarkable complementary-colour contrast with the lapis blue of the sea. It’s especially intriguing when the tide swirls the two pigments together near the shore.
STAY
For the five-star hotel experience, check in at Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz, a 23-minute drive southwest of Ramla Bay. Each room has a private balcony and a swank, tawny marble-clad bathroom (doubles from £163 GBP). Want your own villa, complete with a private pool that has jaw-dropping views across the island? Book Namaste Valley villa (from £300/night).
LOGISTICS
The only airport in Malta is located on the eponymous main island, so you’ll have to take the 25-minute ferry to Gozo from there. If you don’t want to worry about transportation logistics, book an airport pickup with Holiday Taxis. Otherwise, driving yourself is generally safe and easy, and rental cars are relatively inexpensive. Don’t miss the chance to hike up to Calypso Cave. From here, the view down to those sparkling orange sands is truly spectacular.
10. Mai Khao Beach (Phuket, Thailand)
DETAILS
Another golden beach on our list of the most colourful beaches on earth is Mai Khao Beach. This nearly 7-mile stretch is on the north-western coast of Phuket. The sand is some of the coarsest on this mountainous, rainforest-clad island in the jewel-toned waters of the Andaman Sea. The thick sand particles turn a deep gilded hue when saturated with water. Therefore, the best time to catch the beach at it yellowest is when the tide is on its way out. It will leave behind wide swathes of deeply bronzed sand in its wake.
STAY
One of the best splurges in the vicinity is Sala Phuket. The resort has 79 airy contemporary rooms threaded along the very golden beach front you came here to see. Most of these come with a private swimming pool but all of them offer open-air bathrooms and day beds for lounging on your private verandah (doubles from £105 GBP). For a little daybed variety, don’t miss the communal pool-side versions, which are covered and canopy-draped for maximum lazing privacy. If you’re looking for a steal, check out the carnival-coloured rooms at Maikhao Beach Guest House. They’re meticulously clean and located a 5-minute walk from the beach. Here, you can still score the open-air shower experience with your own outdoor rainfall shower (doubles from £27 GBP).
LOGISTICS
This is one of the easiest destinations on our list of colourful beaches to reach. That’s because Phuket has its own international airport with direct flights from Hong Kong, Dubai, Singapore, and Bangkok. There are many enticing accommodation options right on the flaxen sands of Mai Khao beach. Wherever you stay, Holiday Taxis can send a private car and driver to pick you up from the airport. Swimming at Mai Khao is dangerous from May through November because of seasonal tides and the sharp drop into the Andaman Sea that lies just off the coast. Therefore, I would recommend visiting between December and April.
11. Pfeiffer Beach (California, USA)
DETAILS
On the central coast of California lies a rugged, misty, redwood-shaded region known as Big Sur. Among its many hidden gems is Pfeiffer Beach, one of the most colourful beaches on the planet. The shifting violet hues of the sand are caused by ground garnet and ranges from pale lavender to deep indigo. In addition, visitors can explore tide pools and watch the sun set behind (and through!) Keyhole Arch. The arch is a giant, golden stone monolith whose many-textured spires tower just a few feet off the shore.
STAY
The splurges in Big Sur can get quite splurgey indeed. But those who want the top of the line should consider the iconic Post Ranch Inn. It was one of only 11 hotels in the United States to be crowned a three-key property in Michelin’s first round of hotel honours.
Post Ranch Inn is a four-mile, 14-minute drive up into the cliffs just southeast of Pfeiffer Beach. There, lucky travellers can choose from treehouses perched among the redwoods and “oceanhouses” balanced upon the sea cliffs. Doubles start at a Maldivian-calibre £854 GBP/night. But staying here comes with some of the most lavish and priceless views anywhere on earth.
There’s nothing cheap in Big Sur and even the steals are on the spendy side. However, one of my favourite options is Big Sur Lodge. It’s an 11-minute drive from the only purple sand beach on our list of the world’s most colourful beaches. The comfortable, cottage-style rooms are done in tasteful earth tones and each has an outdoor lounging zone. This puts guests in the middle of the surrounding redwood forest and all of its clean-aired, sap-scented glory. (Doubles from £230 GBP/night.)
LOGISTICS
Unless you’re road-tripping across California (which isn’t a bad idea, considering all the natural beauty and the profusion of cultural fascinations to be enjoyed in the Golden State), I suggest flying into SFO. There, you can rent a car for the 139-mile drive (2:40) to Big Sur. Note that Pfeiffer Beach is for day use only (no camping). Also, the (unsigned) Sycamore Canyon Road down from Highway 1 is too narrow for RVs or trailers. Look for a sharp turnoff to the west marked only “Narrow Road.” You’ll see it right between Pfieffer Canyon Bridge to the south and Big Sur ranger station to the north. Once reached, Pfeiffer Beach has a $10 USD (£8) entry fee per vehicle.
12. Pink Sands Beach (Rangiroa Atoll, French Polynesia)
DETAILS
Rangiroa’s Pink Sands Beach is the most remote destination on our list of the world’s most colourful beaches. So most of those who venture a visit will have one of those exceptional, truly once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Rangiroa is located about 220 miles northeast of Tahiti in the South Pacific. It’s the largest atoll in French Polynesia, known for its black pearls and rare vineyards. The rubescent sand of Les Sables Roses (in the local French) is caused by eroded crimson coral and foraminiferal deposits. In other words, the scarlet shells left behind by tiny, single-celled sea creatures.
STAY
Hands down the best way to experience Rangiroa is to charter a crewed boat. Ritzy Charters has fully air conditioned options in French Polynesia starting at £10,291/week plus expenses. (According to Ritzy, expenses are “food and beverages, fuel for the yacht and its tender, any dockage, airport transfers … onshore excursions and tours, as well as any cruising permits, licenses and other charter related expenses. Crew gratuity, although optional is customary at 15% – 20% of the charter rate for the Caribbean and 10% – 15% for the Mediterranean.”)
To stay on land, a good option is Kia Ora Resort and Spa. It has bungalows both on land and over water. Outdoor bathtubs and private pools are two of the luxuries on offer. Even the most basic rooms are steps from some of the most beautiful electric powder-blue waters on the planet. Best of all, the 90-minute boat ride to Les Sables Roses leaves from the hotel (doubles from £527 GBP).
LOGISTICS
Air Tahiti offers direct 60-minute flights (from £196) to Rangiroa from Tahiti (PPT). They also have connecting flights from five other French Polynesian islands including Bora Bora. Once landed, your hotel or yacht charter company can arrange airport pickup. After that, getting around the atoll is generally done via water taxi or bicycle. Statistically, the best months to visit are May and October. These are the two months on either end of the “dry season” that runs from June to September (when the sea tends to be a little rougher) and the “wet season” from November to April (when clouds might plague the paradisiacal vistas for up to seven days at a time).
13. Whitehaven Beach (Whitsunday Islands, Australia)
DETAILS
The sand particles on Whitehaven Beach are some of the whitest in the world. However, this beach tops our list of the best colourful beaches on earth because of the surreal swirling patterns in it. They’re created by the electric turquoise waves undulating in and out of Hill Inlet. But the sand itself is extraordinary enough to comment on. At 98% pure white silica, this will be some of the whitest and softest sand ever to grace your toes. Also, the powder-fine silica doesn’t retain heat. So it’s blissfully cool to walk across even at the height of Queensland’s substantial summer temperatures.
STAY
For an indulgence to match the extravagant beauty of Whitehaven beach, check in at Qualia, on neighbouring Hamilton Island. Sprinkled across the property’s private peninsula are 60 water-facing villas. Some have their own private pools and sea-view soaking tubs (doubles from £1393 GBP/night). It’s not the easiest thing to find beautiful accommodations for a painless price in the Whitsunday Islands. But La Boheme Whitsunday in Airlie Beach has you covered. The property offers free bikes, a pool, and a communal fire pit. Studios have charming kitchens to go with the standard elegant bedrooms and glamorous bathrooms (doubles from £106 GBP/night). As you can imagine, such a guest house books out early. Try the similarly priced but simpler Mango House Resort, also in Airlie Beach, if La Boheme is already full.
LOGISTICS
Hamilton Island (HTI) is the airport you want if you’re staying at Qualia. Jetstar, Virgin Australia, and Qantas all fly there from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Cairns. For hotels in Airlie Beach, you’ll want to fly into Whitsunday Coast/Proserpine Airport (PPP). Holiday Taxis can arrange a private car to pick you up from PPP. You can also rent a car and drive yourself, if you’re up for learning to drive on the left.
Whitehaven beach itself is located on Whitsunday Island proper. The island is accessible primarily by boat but also by sea plane or helicopter from both Hamilton Island and Airlie Beach. Qualia offers in-house excursions to Whitehaven Beach. Alternatively, Red Cat Adventures runs a wildly popular Whitehaven Beach and snorkelling tour from Airlie Beach (starting at £113/person). If you don’t need snorkelling equipment, Whitehaven Xpress offers an equally well-rated option with swimming and a beach BBQ from £105/person.
To catch the most bewitching sand and water patterns at Hill Inlet, you’ll want to be on Whitehaven Beach at low tide. Check www.tide-forecast.com for details and plan your visit accordingly. I recommend visiting this part of the world in September—which is early spring in the southern hemisphere. It’ll get you low rainfall and perfect water temperatures. It also means you’ll beat peak stinger season, which runs from October to May.
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Note that prices are highly dynamic (i.e. they fluctuate dramatically). Those quoted in this article were based on the lowest standard flexible rates available during recommended travel dates at the time of publishing.
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