Black sand
An unusual sight on the shore.
Bernard Spragg. NZ from Christchurch, New Zealand — CC0 · CEphoto, Uwe Aranas — CC BY-SA 3.0 · CEphoto, Uwe Aranas — CC BY-SA 3.0 · CEphoto, Uwe Aranas — CC BY-SA 3.0 · CEphoto, Uwe Aranas — CC BY-SA 3.0
A small beach on the island's north coast that locals call Pantai Pasir Hitam, the beach of black sand, because its pale sand is streaked and patched with striking dark bands along the shore. The colour is said to come from minerals such as tourmaline and ilmenite carried by streams from the granite of Mount Raya down to the sea, though some geologists doubt the explanation. Whatever the cause, the sight is unusual and worth a short stop. The beach is not for swimming but is a quiet place of colourful fishing boats and an old, crumbling wooden jetty that makes a good photograph, with views of the mountains and islands. There are hardly any facilities, and it is free. It lies on the northern ring road near the Langkawi Craft Complex, so combine the two on a drive with Tanjung Rhu beach, pausing here for a few minutes of photographs.
An unusual sight on the shore.
Colour on the water.
Timber posts for photographs.
The island's north coast, on the Teluk Yu road near the Craft Complex
It is not advised; it is a small fishing beach with no facilities, and Pantai Cenang or Tanjung Rhu are better for swimming.
