Black Sands Beach
Black Sands Beach
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
95 reviews
Excellent
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POSHtravelier
Waterbury, VT226 contributions
Aug 2020
Black sand is a bit of a misnomer. The dark color is caused by black rock that has been pummeled into gravel by the ocean. So, if you walk on this beach, be prepared to walk on gravel. Yes, it is rounded gravel, but it is hardly sand.
Written August 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jkweebs
Omaha, NE673 contributions
Jul 2023
We arrived around 9 AM and there was only one other person even on the beach. I was a sunny day and that just made it even better. We parked and walked on the beach for a while and took loots of pictures. Probably the only bad thing about the beach it the drive to get here. Nice winding roads where you had to drive slow. So if you are going make sure you make plenty of time for the drive. I will say the drive was worth it though this is really a beautiful Beach.
Written August 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
May K
11 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
parking is limited in the parking lot, but you can still park around the corner. check the tide table that is posted there. bring water if you're not planning to go past the high tide zones. get there early and see how far you can make it down the trail. the view is beautiful and worth the drive
Written June 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shoshosho
Saratoga, CA201 contributions
Jul 2020
very secluded and calm. also very unique that the sand is black. We hiked for a few miles, and it was pretty cool. kinda hard to hike because of the gravels, but doable. must see if you are in Shelter Cove area.
Written August 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emmy B
2 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
We were farther north for a baseball tournament and was told shelter cove was good. We decided to just go to the black sand beach to save time since we were going on the way home. The road from 101 to get to the beach was very steep and windy and though it was only 21 miles it took 45-55 minutes one way. This was not a good detour option. Then, it's not a sandy beach, it's dark gray rocks- it's not really similar to the black from lava beaches. So, we were disappointed about the drive, the amount of time, and misleading name. Additionally, at this beach it's not safe to go near the water. Maybe we should have gone to the other beach and the lighthouse but we burned up too much time already. It's also pretty remote - no cell service with my carrier.
Written July 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marc Sz
Pleasanton, CA130 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
If you want miles of a special beach to yourself then this is the place. It’s called Black Sands but it really Black pebbles. It’s not a beach to swim at our play in the surf. Low tide is the best. The surf here much like the rest of the Lost Coast is rugged and potentially dangerous. The beauty and vastness is very special.
Written April 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Porshe T
Portland, OR2 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
Bring some cash, and don’t miss the fresh coconuts! So refreshing and tasty. The lava is sharp, so bring shoes, we got to see turtles on the beach and in the water. So picturesque and the sand was soft compared to most beaches we’ve visited on the big island.
Written November 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
adm6987
3 contributions
It is a wonderful view. Awesome to walk along the coast and lay on the beach in the sun (far enough from the surf of course) but with the rip tide and sneaker waves it is SO DANGEROUS!!! Just last week a man drowned trying to save his son that had slipped off of the rocks! Locals want to make sure you are safe!!! Do not get to close if walking on rocks and DO NOT SWIM!!!! if you want to swim go to the boat ramp!
Written March 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elissa G
Fort Worth, TX10 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
This beach really is a hidden gem. We went on a Saturday afternoon and saw less than 10 people. The sand is jet black and the water is absolutely gorgeous. A couple of things to keep in mind: It is unsafe to go into the water (rip tides and large waves). It is a bit of a detour from the 101 (about 30 minutes on very windy roads each way). This being said, it's WELL WORTH the trip! :)
Written October 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joe B
Central Florida39 contributions
Feb 2019
I hesitated to write this review because I selfishly don't want a lot of people to know about this place and possibly spoil it. However, the only route to get to it will probably deter a lot of people from visiting it. On a road trip up the PCH, I took this detour and discovered this unspoiled place. The cold air, overcast skies, and fog rolling off the mountains just make this place so strange and mystical. It's not a sunny, day at the beach kind of place at all. The waves are loud, powerful and dangerous. There's even a sign there warning people that they could die if they go into the water. Some people might not get into places like this like I did. After so many road trips and places I have visited, it's just neat when you find an unexpected out-of-the-way place like this that seems to be unspoiled by man and as nature should be.
Written November 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are driving here to start our lost coast home and wondering if the road is too rough to take our sedan. Thanks in advance!
Written June 12, 2022
is the black beach near the shelter cove rv park?
Written May 2, 2017
It's just a short drive from the RV Park, just north of the airport. Take Upper Pacific Drive to Humboldt Loop and follow that to the end. Take a right on Beach Road, then a quick left to the Trailhead Parking Lot. It's a short walk down to Black Sands Beach.
Written May 2, 2017
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