Punalu'u Beach (also called Black Sand Beach) is a beach between Pāhala and Nā'ālehu on the Big Island of the U.S. state of Hawaii. The beach has black sand made of basalt and created by lava flowing into the ocean which explodes as it reaches the ocean and cools. This volcanic activity is in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Punaluʻu is frequented by endangered Hawksbill and Green turtles, which can often be seen basking on the black sand.
Papakōlea Beach (also known as Green Sand Beach or Mahana Beach) is a green sand beach located near South Point, in the Ka'ū district of the island of Hawaii. One of only two green sand beaches in the United States, the other being in Guam, the beach gets distinctive coloring from olivine crystals found in the enclosing cinder cone. The cinder cone is rich in olivine, a silicate mineral containing iron and magnesium, also known as peridot when of gem quality. Olivine is a common mineral component of Hawaiian lavas and one of the first crystals to form as magma cools. Olivine is locally known as "Hawaiian Diamond" and is notably found in Oʻahu's famous Diamond Head landmark. The source of the green coloration of the beach sands is due to the olivine crystals which are winnowed from the eroding headland by the action of the sea.
Hyams Beach is a small seaside village (population estimated at about 70 in 2006) in the Shoalhaven, New South Wales, Australia, on the shores of Jervis Bay. The village, roughly 3 hours drive south of Sydney, is bordered by 3 beaches, Chinaman's Beach to the north, Hyams Beach and Seaman's Beach (sometimes referred to as "Sailors Beach") to the south. Hyams Beach is the middle beach in the centre of the village. Seamans Beach is the longest of the three, stretching for approximately 2 kilometres (1.6 miles).
All beaches face roughly east, out across Jervis Bay and Point Perpendicular to the Pacific Ocean. The sand at these beaches is fine, soft and brilliantly white.
The Guinness Book of Records reports Hyams Beach as having the whitest sand in the world.
The village is bordered by Jervis Bay National Park to the north and Booderee National Park and Botanic Gardens to the south which gives Hyams Beach a 'natural bush' feel with an abundance of native plants, animals and birdlife.
Pfeiffer Beach is a beautiful, unspoiled beach that's popular with locals, somewhat unknown among tourists and well worth your time. Besides beautiful offshore views of rocks and sea stacks and some nice surfing waves, this beach has unusual purple sand, from manganese garnet particles washing down the hillside. The further north on the beach you go, the more purple it becomes.
Red Sand Beach is partially shielded from the rough open ocean by an offshore reef. The result is a natural sea wall that protects the bay from large waves. Kaihalulu is one of the few red sand beaches in the world. The sand is a deep red-black, which contrasts with the blue water, the black sea wall, and the green ironwood trees. The cindercone behind the beach erodes constantly, which continually enlarges the cove. This hill is rich in iron, and is why the beach's sand is such a deep red.
