Beaches often evoke images of relaxation and beauty, but some shorelines have darker reputations due to tragic events, shipwrecks, and mysterious disappearances, leaving behind restless spirits and eerie tales. As Memorial Day approaches in the U.S. and beachgoers prepare for their first beach excursion of the summer, you might explore these 10 haunted beaches around the world — or dive into their haunted histories and decide to plan a “staycation” instead!

*Ballybunion Beach image from* *Wikimedia Commons*.

1. Ballybunion Beach, Ireland

Ballybunion Beach in County Kerry, Ireland, is known for its rugged beauty and dramatic cliffs, but it also harbors a dark and haunting history. One of the most chilling stories linked to this beach is the legend of the Cave of the 9 Daughters. According to local lore, a chieftain once lived near Ballybunion with his nine daughters. When invaders attacked and took his wife, the chieftain resolved to keep his daughters from the same fate. He led each of them to a cave that dropped 100 feet into the sea — and pushed them in one by one.

Visitors have reported seeing ghostly figures wandering near the cave, their sorrowful cries echoing through the night. Additionally, the beach is said to be haunted by the ghost of a young woman named Kate, who drowned herself in the early 19th century after being jilted by her lover. Her spectral figure, dressed in a long white dress, is often seen wandering the shoreline, searching for her lost love.

*Changi Beach coastal walk image from* *Wikimedia Commons*.

2. Changi Beach, Singapore

Changi Beach in Singapore is a picturesque spot with a grim and tragic past. During World War II, it became one of the primary execution grounds for the Japanese Kempeitai during the infamous Sook Ching Massacre, where thousands of Chinese civilians were systematically killed. The spirits of the massacre victims are said to haunt the beach to this day, with visitors reporting ghostly apparitions, strange noises such as weeping and screams, and headless figures wandering the sands at night. One of the most chilling tales is that of spectral soldiers in old military uniforms, marching along the shoreline, their faces etched with pain and sorrow.

Eyewitnesses have described sudden drops in temperature and the unsettling feeling of being watched, even when the beach appears deserted. Some have found inexplicable footprints in the sand leading towards the water, only to vanish abruptly. There are also reports of hearing military orders being barked out followed by the ghostly echo of gunfire. These ghostly encounters serve as a stark reminder of the horrors that took place at Changi Beach and the many lives lost, making it a chilling place to visit, especially after sunset.

*Dumas Beach image from* *Wikimedia Commons*.

3. Dumas Beach, India

Dumas Beach, located in the Indian state of Gujarat, is renowned for its black sand and eerie atmosphere. The beach's haunting reputation stems from its history as a Hindu burial ground, where many bodies were cremated over the centuries. This long association with death has given rise to numerous ghost stories and paranormal occurrences. Visitors have reported sudden drops in temperature, hearing whispers in the wind, and feeling an intense sensation of being watched. Some have even claimed to see ghostly apparitions and shadowy figures moving across the sand. One famous legend involves the spirits of those cremated at the beach, said to wander the area at night, searching for peace, especially during the new moon.

The beach is also infamous for mysterious disappearances, with several people vanishing without a trace after venturing too far into the water or walking along the shore at night. These disappearances are often attributed to the spirits of the dead, believed to pull the living into the afterlife. Local fishermen have reported seeing strange lights over the water and hearing disembodied voices. Additionally, animals, particularly dogs, exhibit strange behavior, such as refusing to walk on certain parts of the beach and howling uncontrollably at night.

*Fort Manoel image from* *Wikimedia Commons*.

4. Manoel Island, Malta

Manoel Island in Malta is home to a beach with a dark and tragic history, making it one of the most haunted spots in the country. The island was used as a quarantine station during the plague of 1813, where many victims of the disease were isolated and eventually succumbed to their illness. The bodies of these plague victims were buried in mass graves on the island, and it is believed that their restless spirits still haunt the area. Visitors have reported hearing disembodied voices, ghostly footsteps, and feeling an eerie sense of being watched. One of the most frequently sighted apparitions is the ghost of a knight in armor, believed to be the spirit of a soldier who died during the quarantine period.

Adding to the island's haunted reputation are the stories surrounding Fort Manoel, a historic fortification built in the 18th century. The fort, which served as a military hospital during various conflicts, is said to be haunted by the spirits of soldiers who died there. Eyewitnesses have reported seeing spectral figures patrolling the ramparts, as well as hearing the sounds of phantom battles echoing through the night. Another chilling tale involves the ghost of a nun, who is said to appear in the fort's chapel, silently praying before vanishing into thin air.

*Hamel Down image from* *Wikimedia Commons*.

5. Hamel Down Beach, England

Hamel Down Beach, located on the coast of Devon in England, has a long history of shipwrecks and tragic drownings, contributing to its reputation as one of the most haunted beaches in the region. The beach’s treacherous waters and rocky shoreline have claimed many lives over the centuries, particularly during the 18th and 19th centuries when numerous ships met their end on the perilous rocks. One of the most famous tales is that of the "White Lady," the ghost of a woman who is said to wander the beach searching for her lost child, believed to have drowned in one of these tragic incidents. Visitors have reported seeing her spectral figure, as well as hearing the heart-wrenching cries of a mother calling out for her child on foggy nights.

Adding to the haunted lore of Hamel Down Beach are accounts of phantom ships appearing on the horizon, only to vanish suddenly. These ghost ships are believed to be the spectral remnants of vessels wrecked long ago, their crews doomed to forever sail the waters. One particularly chilling story involves the ghost of a ship’s captain who is said to appear on stormy nights, warning sailors of impending danger. Witnesses have described seeing a shadowy figure in old-fashioned naval attire, shouting warnings before disappearing into the mist. Additionally, there are tales of ghostly sailors seen trudging along the beach, leaving no footprints in the sand.

*Platja d’Aro image from* *Wikimedia Commons*.

6. Platja d’Aro, Spain

Platja d’Aro on the Costa Brava in Spain is a popular tourist destination with a chilling and tragic history that has led to its reputation as one of the most haunted beaches in the country. During the Spanish Civil War, the beach was the site of numerous executions carried out by both sides, leaving behind a legacy of bloodshed and sorrow. Many prisoners were executed on the beach, their bodies buried in unmarked graves. Visitors to the beach have reported feeling an overwhelming sense of sadness and dread, as well as hearing ghostly whispers and seeing shadowy figures. Some have even claimed to see the apparitions of soldiers and prisoners walking along the shore, seemingly re-enacting their final moments.

Adding to the eerie atmosphere of Platja d’Aro are stories of mysterious lights moving across the water at night and the sound of footsteps in the sand, believed to be the spirits of the executed prisoners. One particularly haunting tale involves the ghost of a young woman who was executed during the war. Her spirit is said to appear on the beach, dressed in old-fashioned clothing, silently weeping and searching for her lost family. Another common sighting is that of a group of spectral soldiers marching along the shoreline, their faces etched with pain and sorrow. These ghostly figures are often accompanied by the sounds of distant gunfire and the faint echo of military orders.

*Camps Bay Beach image from* *Wikimedia Commons*.

7. Camps Bay Beach, South Africa

Camps Bay Beach in Cape Town, South Africa, is renowned for its stunning beauty but harbors a dark and tragic history, making it one of the most haunted beaches in the country. In the early 1900s, a ship carrying enslaved people sank off the coast, leading to the drowning of many. The spirits of these unfortunate souls are said to haunt the beach to this day, with eyewitnesses reporting ghostly figures walking along the shoreline, their faces filled with sorrow. These apparitions often appear at dusk or dawn, silently reenacting their final moments. Additionally, locals have reported seeing a spectral ship on the horizon, shrouded in mist, believed to be the ghostly vessel that sank.

Adding to the eerie reputation of Camps Bay Beach is the legend of the “Lady in White,” the spirit of a woman who died in a tragic accident on the beach. She is often seen wandering the sands at night, her flowing white dress illuminated by the moonlight, and witnesses have reported feeling an overwhelming sense of sadness when encountering her. Some have even claimed to hear her softly singing a mournful tune. There are also reports of crying and chanting sounds, believed to be the voices of the drowned enslaved people.

*Kirra Beach image from* *Wikimedia Commons*.

8. Queensland’s Kirra Beach, Australia

Kirra Beach in Queensland, Australia, is known for its stunning views and excellent surfing conditions, but it also harbors a dark history and numerous ghost stories. The beach was the site of a tragic drowning in the 1950s, where a young boy lost his life. The spirit of this young boy is said to haunt the area, and visitors have reported seeing his ghostly figure playing in the surf, only to disappear when approached. Surfers have also encountered mysterious figures in the waves, believed to be the spirits of those who have drowned over the years. These sightings are often accompanied by an eerie silence, as if the natural sounds of the beach have been muted.

Adding to the haunted reputation of Kirra Beach are stories of ghostly swimmers seen in the early morning hours, their forms barely visible in the mist. Some locals have reported hearing disembodied voices calling out for help, only to find no one there upon investigation. There are also tales of a spectral lifeguard who appears during storms, watching over the beach as if still on duty. Witnesses have described feeling an intense chill and seeing a figure in a red lifeguard uniform standing vigil, then vanishing into the fog.

*Myrtle Beach Apache Pier image from* *Wikimedia Commons*.

9. Myrtle Beach, USA

Myrtle Beach in South Carolina is a popular vacation destination, known for its beautiful coastline and bustling boardwalk. However, it also has a haunted history that has fascinated locals and visitors alike. During the 19th century, Myrtle Beach was the site of numerous shipwrecks, with many sailors losing their lives in the treacherous waters. One of the most famous ghost stories is that of the "Gray Man," the spirit of a sailor who is said to appear on the beach before hurricanes and severe storms. According to legend, the Gray Man warns beachgoers of impending danger, saving countless lives over the years. His spectral figure is often described as a shadowy presence, dressed in old-fashioned seafaring clothes, who vanishes as quickly as he appears.

In addition to the Gray Man, Myrtle Beach is also home to the ghost of Alice Flagg, a young woman from a prominent local family who died of a broken heart in the mid-1800s. Alice was forbidden by her family to marry her true love, and after her death, she was buried with a ring from her beloved hidden in her clothing. Visitors to the All Saints Church cemetery, where Alice is buried, have reported seeing her ghost wandering the graveyard and the nearby beach, searching for her lost ring. Some claim to have felt a cold presence and seen the figure of a young woman in a white dress drifting along the shoreline.

*Higbee Beach image from* *Wikimedia Commons*.

10. Higbee Beach, USA

Higbee Beach in Cape May, New Jersey, is steeped in history and ghostly legends. Named after Joseph Higbee, a bay pilot who guided ships through the Delaware Bay, the beach once hosted the Higbee Beach Hotel, built around 1870 and demolished in the 1940s. Joseph’s grave, known locally as "Higbee’s Grave," is a source of many ghost stories. The grave, surrounded by an old iron fence, is said to be haunted by Joseph or Thomas Higbee, or possibly a slave who kept vigil over his master’s grave. Locals often tell tales of eerie encounters near the site, including sightings of ghostly figures and the "Phantom Dog."

Adding to the haunted lore are the "Ghost Tracks" from World War I, remnants of an old rail line used for military operations, which occasionally become visible in the sand. A notable ghost story involves a woman who encountered an apparition of an old man on the beach. Describing him as pale and almost glowing, she watched him glide into the water and disappear. These ghostly encounters, combined with the beach’s secluded location, now part of the Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area, make it a compelling destination for those interested in the supernatural. The area’s eerie atmosphere is heightened by the whispers and giggles reported by visitors, adding to the beach's mysterious allure.

These 10 haunted beaches offer a glimpse into the spooky side of seaside beauty. With eerie tales and mysterious histories, they provide plenty of ghostly stories to ponder. So, as you plan your summer adventures, consider adding a one of these haunted beaches to your itinerary — or find another one you can add to the list!

Have you ever visited a haunted beach and experienced the paranormal? Tell us about it!

For more haunted locations you can visit, check out our blog 10 Haunted Places in the U.S. Where Ghost Hunters Can Spend the Night.

BLOG: 10 of the Most Haunted Beaches Around the World