Ever been to a black sand beach? Discover these stunning inky shores in India

Shores blanketed with golden sands, shimmering under the sun, is an image that generally appears at the mention of the word 'beach.' However, do you know that depending on the mineral content, geology, and the various organic materials present in water, beach sand can come in a wide variety of shades? From white and grey to reddish brown, pink, green, purple and even multicoloured shades, the seaside sands can be as varied as the surrounding environments. For instance, while Kerala and Goa beaches generally have golden sands, The Andaman Islands have white, pink and even multicoloured sands. Goa also has red sands on certain beaches. Those who love beach holidays say that compared to the rest, black sand beaches enjoy great popularity among tourists, photographers, environmental scientists and those with geological interests. If you are tempted to check out a few, here are certain beautiful black beaches in India.

Mandwa Beach, Maharashtra
The Mandwa beach, which oozes with the beauty of nature, is situated in the Raigad village of Maharashtra and is 13km away from the Kihim beach and 19km from Alibag. The charming beach is the weekend destination of Mumbaikers who want to unwind and relax. The sight of the sun disappearing from the beach's horizon is ethereal. Besides the beach, one can also walk through a bygone era by visiting the Buddha caves and synagogue. You can also get a dose of adrenaline rush with water sports activities such as jet skiing, kayaking, banana tube rides and water scooters, among others, at the beach.

Tilmati Beach, Karnataka
The sought-after Tilmati Beach in the Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka is 435km away from the capital city of Bengaluru. The beach got its name ‘Tilmati’ as the sands of the shoreline look like jet-black sesame seeds. The basaltic rocks in the vicinity give the beach sand its black colour. Many travellers flock to the beach to enjoy nature’s spectacle during sunrise and sunset.

Navapur Beach, Maharashtra
A five-hour drive from Pune will take you to the mesmerizing Navapur beach, which is hugged by coconut groves. The beach also boasts local food stalls serving delicacies such as ‘poha’, tea and ‘vada pav’. This black sand beach is ideal for family picnics and pleasure trips with friends.

Revdanda Beach, Maharashtra
The USP of Revdanda Beach is its black sand and calm waters. If you want to see a postcard beach, then don’t go beyond the Revdanda beach in Maharashtra. Another attraction is an abandoned fort, which was once the palace of many a king and queen. The beach is just a few hours’ drive from Mumbai and Pune.

Korlai Beach, Maharashtra
Korlai Beach is another captivating tourist hotspot teeming with black sand. It is located in the fishing village of Korlai, not far from Alibag City. During the monsoon season, tourists from far and wide come to the beach to soak in the beauty of green-yellow weeds and pink oxalis flowers spread on the beach like a multi-coloured carpet. An old fort, a lighthouse, and colourful houses also surround the beach.