Some beaches have rocks and boulders and not even a single grain of sand, but the most popular beaches for tourists all have fine, beautiful sands. However, not all of these beaches have standard sand-colored ground. Black sand beaches offer a chance for a unique seaside experience. These beaches are usually found on islands that were formed by volcanic activity or still have active volcanoes. Some of the world’s best beach destinations have at least one black sand beaches, while other such uniquely-colored seaside areas are found in places that aren’t considered beach destinations at all.

Looking for a perfectly unique place for a beach vacation. Try one of these amazing black sand beaches.

Punaluu Beach, Hawaii

Photo: stevecadman / Flickr

Punaluu Beach is located on a quiet stretch of coastline on the Big Island of Hawaii. Spelled Punalu’u in Hawaiian, this beach boasts fine, black sand and an abundance of wildlife. The lightly visited Big Island is a great place to see Hawaii’s natural side. The beach is a favorite habitat of several endangered sea species, including monk seals, hawkbill turtles, and green turtles. The beach is not the best for swimming, as the rocky coastal waters make taking to the water dangerous. However, the views are tremendous, the nature is abundant, and the black volcanic sand, formed from lava that flowed down from the volcanic highlands, creates a very unique setting.

Vik Beach, Iceland

Photo: Shadowgate / Flickr

Vik Beach is a small seaside stretch in southernmost Iceland. Despite its rather remote feel (the nearby town only has about 300 inhabitants), Vik is easy to reach. It It is located on the Ring Road that circles the island. It is only about 100 miles from the capital of Reykjavik. The black sands here are coarse and the coastal regions are quite rugged, but there is a beauty to this beach. In fact, it has been called one of the best beaches in the world by media outlets like Islands Magazine. The weather is chilly year round, so this is not a swimsuit and sun-screen beach. However, the scenery of Vik is enough to earn it accolades despite its lack of sun-tanning opportunities and its remote location.

Lost Coast, California

Photo: wseltzer / Flickr

California’s Lost Coast features a lengthy stretch of beach, much of it covered with black sand. True to its name, this coastline has a very remote feel and is more known for its quietness and natural beauty than it is for its beach scene. However, few stretches of coastline in the world are as naturally beautiful as this seaside region in Northern California. With no major highways nearby, the best black sand beaches on the Lost Coast can only be reached by small mountain roads. The Lost Coast’s beaches are also accessible by boat.

Black Sand Beach, Langkawi, Malaysia

Photo: tianhua1993 / Flickr

The beach destination of Langkawi draws tourists from Asia, Australia, Europe and the Americas. Many come seeking idyllic beaches, which they can easily find. A section of the coastal area is covered by black sand. The aptly named Black Sand Beach gets its unique coloring from a mineral rich hot spring, which is located nearby. With palm trees and an unmistakable laid-back beach vibe, Black Sand Beach has all the characteristics of a great seaside tropical destination. A number of accommodation options, from basic bungalows to high end resorts are located near the beach, meaning people on any kind of travel budget can enjoy this portion of Langkawi.

Santorini, Greece

Photo: Jimbo the Greek / Flickr

Greece’s Santorini Island, known for its beaches and its quaint, white colored villages, is a popular destination for sun-seekers. A bit quieter and cheaper than nearby Mykonos, which is one of Europe’s great party destinations, Santorini is a great destination in and of itself. Its interesting black sand beaches add to the level of attractiveness. Volcanic ash and lava formed the unusual colored sands of the beaches that ring Santorini. In fact, there is still volcanic activity on the island. However, not all the beaches are covered with black pebbles. Some feature white and red sands, so tourists can enjoy a variety of beach experiences when they come to the island.