Types of Beaches Around the World

Beach Morphology: 10 Common Types

Beaches vary by sediment, energy, and geology:

1. Sandy Beach: Quartz/carbonate sand; gentle slope; most common.
2. Gravel/Shingle Beach: Rounded pebbles (2–64 mm); high-energy coasts.
3. Pebble Beach: Larger smooth stones; strong wave action.
4. Cobblestone Beach: Cobbles (64–256 mm); moderate energy.
5. Boulder Beach: Immovable boulders; very high energy/glacial coasts.
6. Coral Beach: Coral fragments, foraminifera; tropical reefs; white/pink sand.
7. Volcanic Beach: Black/green sand (basalt, olivine); Hawaii, Iceland, Canaries.
8. Shell Beach: Almost entirely shells; hypersaline lagoons (e.g., Shark Bay, Australia).
9. Fjord Beach: Glacial valleys flooded by sea; steep cliffs, coarse sediment.
10. Mudflat / Tidal Flat: Fine silt/clay; sheltered, low energy; critical for shorebirds.

Many beaches are mixed; seasonal storms can transform type temporarily.