Why is Carmel beach sand so white?

The unique white sand derives from waves eroding a formation of Santa Lucia granodiorite offshore, created by volcanic eruptions nearly 80 million years ago. It's made up of quartz and other minerals that give the sand its white sheen.



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Olivine Sand Sand of almost exclusively olivine grains is very rare, and Papakolea is one of only four green sand beaches in the world. The others are Hornindalsvatnet in Norway, Punta Cormorant in the Galapagos Islands, and Talofofo Beach in Guam.

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What is the difference between white beach sand and other types of sands? White beach sand is primarily made up of quartz, which is a light-colored mineral. Other types of sand can be made up of a variety of minerals and can be various colors, such as black, brown, or red.

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The World's Beaches With the Whitest Sand
  • 01 of 10. Queensland, Australia. maydays / Getty Images. ...
  • 02 of 10. Clearwater, Florida, USA. ...
  • 03 of 10. Bora Bora, Tahiti. ...
  • 04 of 10. Outer Hebrides, Scotland. ...
  • 05 of 10. Boracay, Philippines. ...
  • 06 of 10. Lofoten Islands, Norway. ...
  • 07 of 10. Zanzibar, Tanzania. ...
  • 08 of 10. Jericoacoara, Brazil.


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Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island, Australia Whitehaven Beach is consistently ranked as the world's best beach, and with good reason: It's almost surreally beautiful. Besides its crystal clear waters, it's known for its white sand, consisting of 98% pure silica which gives it a bright white color.

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Matira Beach, Bora Bora, French Polynesia Stretching for one mile on the southern end of Bora Bora, this is the largest public beach on the island. Perfectly white sand is juxtaposed with the clear blue Polynesian water just steps away.

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