This striking red-sand beach is home to wild sea lions, rare birds, and elegant flamingos, and it’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen before
You might expect a beach to have soft golden sands, maybe sparkling white shores, or even dramatic black sand from volcanic rock. But there are a few rare beaches in the world that break the mould entirely, by glowing bright red.
One of the most vibrant examples of this phenomenon lies hidden in the Galapagos Islands. Rabida Island, also known as Jervis Island, is a tiny, uninhabited paradise just south of Santiago Island, with a surreal crimson coastline that looks more like Mars than Earth.
The island’s fiery-red sands are the result of iron-rich volcanic rocks that have oxidised over centuries. The contrast between the deep red beach, turquoise ocean, and lush green interior is truly jaw-dropping, like walking straight into a colour-saturated dream.
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Despite its remote location, Rabida Island is a haven for wildlife and a favourite stop for those exploring the Galapagos by cruise. Its untouched shores are alive with animals, offering nature lovers a front-row seat to some of the most remarkable creatures on the planet.
A huge colony of sea lions call Rabida home, and they’re often seen sprawled lazily across the sand, soaking up the sun without a care in the world. Unlike many wildlife encounters, you don’t need binoculars here; these gentle giants happily share the beach with visitors.
Just a short walk from the shore, a saltwater lagoon tucked behind the beach reveals an even more magical sight: flamingos wading through the shallows. Their bright pink feathers against the blood-red sands makes for one of the most striking wildlife scenes in the Galapagos.
The island is also the only place in the Galapagos where you can spot all nine species of Darwin’s finches. It’s a paradise for birdwatchers and a living classroom for those fascinated by evolution and biodiversity.
Visitors can’t stop raving about Rabida. One vistor shared to TripAdvisor saying, “Beautiful island with flamingos in brackish ponds, incredible red sand beaches.” Another simply calls it “special,” praising its unique terrain and rare beauty.
To experience Rabida Island, your best bet is hopping aboard a Galapagos cruise. Celebrity Cruises offers a Southern Loop tour that includes a stop on the island, with guided visits from mid-afternoon until sunset to soak up the full, fiery glory of the beach.
While Rabida may be the most eye-catching, it’s not the only red beach out there. Others include Kaihalulu Beach in Hawaii, though locals warn it’s dangerous, along with Ramla Bay in Malta, Cavendish Beach in Canada, and Kokkini Beach in Greece.
Colourful beaches don’t stop at red, either. There are pink lagoons in the Maldives, a blush-toned beach in the UK, and even green sand shores in rare spots like Hawaii, Norway, and the Galapagos itself.
So next time you think you’ve seen every kind of beach, remember Rabida Island, a rare, remote paradise where red sand meets wild sea lions, elegant flamingos, and a storybook landscape that feels truly out of this world.