Spectacular Colored Sand Beaches in Hawaii

Walking barefoot on soft sandy beaches is what vacation dreams are made of for most of us. When many of us are planning beach vacations, the sand we are walking through is normally white or a very light brown. However, if you take the time to go on a family vacation in Hawaii, you will discover many different colored sand beaches. Imagine watching the look on your kids’ faces as they walk through sand that is green, black, and even red. Visiting even one of these uniquely colored sandy beaches on any of the Hawaiian Islands will be an experience your entire family will never forget.

Spectacular Colored Sand Beaches in Hawaii

Punalu’u Beach on the Big Island

Punalu’u Beach is also known as Black Sand Beach. It is one of the most popular colored sand beaches in Hawaii. The black sand on this beach was created from tiny fragments of lava. Basically, as soon as hot magma hits the ocean water, the magma cools instantly. Once the magma is cooled, it shatters into what you see as black sand. If you want to see Hawaiian green sea turtles during your family vacation, this is the beach you must have on your to-do list. The turtles prefer the black sand beaches because the darker sand retains the heat.

Papakōlea Beach on the Big Island

Papakōlea Beach is covered in green sand. It is one of only four green sand beaches in the entire world. The green color comes from a mineral called olivine, which is also called the Hawaiian Diamond. Olivine is one of the components of lava. Getting to this green sand beach in Hawaii is not easy. You must walk for approximately three miles through lava fields to reach this green-colored sand.

Halawa Beach Park on Molokai

Halawa Beach Park is one of the colored sand beaches in Hawaii that has both white and black sand. The swirls of color are incredible to walk around. However, I know you will prefer finding the perfect spot to take pictures of both the sand and your family.

Papohaku Beach on Molokai

If your kids have been dreaming of walking on orange sand, they can if you happen to take a family vacation in Molokai! Papohaku Beach is full of orange sand. This secluded beach is perfect to visit at any time, but I prefer going there at sunset. The soft glow of the sand under the setting sun is a memory you will cherish with your family forever.

Wainapanapa Beach on Maui

Wainapanapa Beach is one of the colored sand beaches with a black sand beach in Hawaii. However, the black sand on this beach is made up of smooth lava pebbles. When your family is not walking along the sand, you may want to explore the nearby lava tubes. There is also a blowhole nearby, as well as a boardwalk you can wander along.

Kaihalulu Beach on Maui

There are very few red-sand beaches in the world, but Kaihalulu Beach is one of them. Your family must tackle an overgrown trail on the side of a cliff to reach this red-sand beach. However, the journey is worth every minute once you reach your destination.

These are the many different colored sand beaches in Hawaii. Each one offers something unique to travelers like your family. Therefore, you must consider what each one has to offer before you decide to add any beaches to your Hawaiian itinerary. We can definitely discuss the pros and cons of each of these different colored sandy beaches when we are planning our next family vacation on one of the Hawaiian Islands.

So, are you ready to hit the beach in Hawaii during your next family vacation?

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