What are Batumi's beaches like: pebbles or sand, and where is best to swim?
City beaches, nearby options and why the sand near Batumi is dark.
Short answer
Batumi's beaches are pebbly, and the city beach runs the full length of the Seaside Boulevard, free to enter. The clearest water is south of the city at Gonio, Kvariati and Sarpi, also pebbly. For sand, head north to Kobuleti, Shekvetili and Ureki, where the sand is dark, and black and magnetic at Ureki.
Why
- Rivers flowing down from the Adjara mountains bring pebbles to the coast.
- Sunbeds and umbrellas cost extra on many stretches, but the beach itself is public.
- The dark colour of the northern sand comes from magnetite and volcanic minerals.
Details
Water shoes make pebbles easier, especially with children. The seabed in Batumi drops off quickly, so the water gets deep fast.
Tip
With small children, the sandy beaches at Ureki and Shekvetili with gentle entry into the water are easier.
What may differ
Weather and sea conditions change daily; swimming is banned in storms, so watch the beach flags.
Common misconception
Batumi has sandy beaches.
What actually happens
Batumi's beaches are pebbly; for sand, people go to Ureki, Shekvetili or Kobuleti.
People also ask
- Are Batumi beaches sandy or pebbly?
Sources
- Georgian National Tourism AdministrationChecked at:
Information checked on October 3, 2026.
Best beaches in BatumiRelated questions
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Which beaches in Georgia are sandy?
Sandy beaches begin in Guria: the shore at Ureki and Grigoleti is covered with grey and black sand containing magnetite.
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Where should you go to the seaside in Georgia with children?
For a calm family holiday by the sea, Sarpi, Kvariati and Gonio in Ajara are a good fit, while Maltakva offers a calmer holiday in Samegrelo.
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Anaklia: what kind of resort is it and where is it?
Anaklia is a Black Sea beach resort made up of two villages, Anaklia and Ganmukhuri, linked by a footbridge over the Enguri River.
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Chakvi: what kind of resort is it and where is it?
Chakvi is a seaside climate resort in Ajara about 15 km from Batumi, on the Chakvistskali River and the Black Sea coast, among mountains, forests and tea plantations.