On the mainland, here are your choices for sand: white or white. In most places around the world, sand only comes in one variety. Of course, Hawaii isn’t most places. On the Islands, we’re lucky enough to have options when we go to the beach! Here are the four different types of sand you can enjoy on Hawaiian beaches.
White Sand
Yes, we have it here too. While Hawaii might have the most diverse sand options in the country, white sand still makes up the majority of our beaches. Many popular spots like Hapuna Beach State Park are covered in soft, white sand—perfect for picnics, lounging in the sun, and taking a dip in the ocean. I won’t go into too much detail on white sand beaches; you can find them on the mainland.
Black Sand
Here’s where things get interesting. The second most common color of sand on the Islands is black sand. Black sand is made when lava flows into the ocean, cools, and gets eroded into tiny granules over time. If white sand is your default image when you think of a tropical beach, black sand beaches can look quite surreal.
Even though it’s made from super dense lava rock, the ocean is pretty good at wearing it away. Many black sand beaches are just as soft to the touch as the white sand beaches you can find all over the world.
If you want to find sea turtles, go to a black sand beach like Punalu’u. They love how the warm, dark-colored sand feels on the bellies!
Red Sand
Red sand is made the same way as black sand except the lava cools before it hits the water. When the lava cools on land, the high iron content oxidizes with the air, causing the rock to turn red. Then, like all other sand, years and years of waves crashing on the shore wears it down until it’s a soft carpet of tiny red pebbles.
Unfortunately, you can’t find red sand beaches on the Big Island. For that, you’ll have to hop over to the neighboring island of Maui to Kiahalulu Beach—but it’s totally worth the trip!
Green Sand
Green sand is the rarest color of sand in the entire world. It’s caused by a special type of volcanic eruption in which olivine crystals (which are green) are brought to the surface of the earth. When they touch the cold ocean water—like a cold glass plate into a microwave—they shatter, forming tiny crystals we call sand.
There are only four green sand beaches in the world, and one of them is on the Big Island! You can find this special sand at Papakōlea Beach on the southern tip of the Big Island. But bring your hiking shoes; this isn’t the type of beach you can just drive up to—unless you have a jacked-up 4x4 that you don’t really care about. The trek to the beach is about three miles each direction, but it’s totally worth the hike to see something that special. Where else would you see a green sand beach? Guam!? (Yes, that’s where another one is.)
Want to Call this Special Place Home?
Hawaii is filled with surprising things. From the diverse weather conditions to the dramatic colorful beaches, there’s never enough time to see everything the Islands have to offer. The only way to truly experience the Big Island is to move here!
If you’re ready to move to Hawaii and live life at your own pace, there are plenty of properties available to fit any need or budget. All you need to do to get started is send me a message. I’ll be happy to talk you through the process and help you find the Hawaiian home of your dreams.
Aloha, and welcome to Hawaii.