Coastal Color Palette: Hex Codes and Ideas
A coastal color palette is drawn from the beach and sea — ocean blues, soft seafoam greens, sandy neutrals, and crisp whites, often warmed with a touch of coral or driftwood. The combination feels fresh, breezy, and calm, which is why it is a perennial favorite for relaxed, summery design. The named palettes and hex table below are ready to use, followed by guidance on combining them.
For why blues and greens read as calming, see our color psychology guide. Coastal schemes sit between the cool color palette and the breezy muted color palette. For more blue and teal options to extend any scheme, see our shades of blue and shades of teal references.
What colors are in a coastal palette?
A coastal palette layers the cool colors of water over warm, light neutrals, with white providing brightness and air. The blues range from deep navy (#243A52) to bright ocean blue (#1B6CA8); the greens lean toward soft seafoam (#93C5BE); the neutrals are warm sand (#E5DCC3) and crisp white (#F7F7F2); and a warm coral (#E8A87C) provides the sunset accent that keeps the cool scheme from feeling cold. This balance of cool water and warm shore is what makes coastal palettes feel relaxed rather than chilly.
| Color name | Hex | RGB | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean Blue | #1B6CA8 | 27, 108, 168 | Primary |
| Seafoam | #93C5BE | 147, 197, 190 | Secondary |
| Sand | #E5DCC3 | 229, 220, 195 | Background / neutral |
| White | #F7F7F2 | 247, 247, 242 | Background / air |
| Navy | #243A52 | 36, 58, 82 | Anchor / text |
| Coral | #E8A87C | 232, 168, 124 | Warm accent |
5 coastal palettes with hex codes
Each scheme balances cool water tones with warm sandy neutrals. Copy the hex codes directly.
1. Classic Coastal
The signature beach mix — fresh, airy, and relaxed.
Ocean Blue #1B6CA8 Seafoam #93C5BE Sand #E5DCC3 White #F7F7F2 Navy #243A52
2. Nautical
Crisp navy, white, and red for a classic seaside, boating look.
Navy #243A52 White #F7F7F2 Signal Red #B43A3A Ocean Blue #1B6CA8 Rope Tan #C9A876
3. Sunset Shore
Warm corals and soft blues for a golden-hour beach mood.
Coral #E8A87C Seafoam #93C5BE Sand #E5DCC3 Terracotta Coral #D97D6B Dusty Sea Blue #4A6E84
4. Tropical Coastal
Brighter turquoise and aqua for a vivid, vacation feel.
Turquoise #1B9AAA Seafoam #93C5BE White #F7F7F2 Coral #E8A87C Deep Teal #0F5E6B
5. Hamptons Calm
Soft, pale, and muted — an upscale, understated coastal scheme.
Pale Sky #B8CED2 Seafoam #93C5BE Sand #E5DCC3 White #F7F7F2 Driftwood Gray #5C6F73
Which coastal colors go together?
Coastal pairings work by balancing the cool colors of water against the warm neutrals of the shore. Ocean Blue (#1B6CA8) and Sand (#E5DCC3) are the foundational pairing — bright sea against warm beach — and almost any coastal scheme can be built outward from these two. Navy (#243A52) and White (#F7F7F2) provide the crisp, high-contrast structure (the nautical backbone), giving you a reliable dark and light to anchor the softer colors.
Seafoam (#93C5BE) and Coral (#E8A87C) are the key warm-cool accent pairing — soft green-blue against warm peach — and it is this touch of coral that keeps the scheme from feeling cold. A dependable formula: let white and sand cover most of the layout, use ocean blue and seafoam as the mid-tone color story, anchor with navy, and add coral only as a small accent. Because coastal palettes lean cool, that single warm note is doing important emotional work, so do not skip it — it is the difference between a beach and a swimming pool.
How to use a coastal palette in design
The defining move in coastal design is letting white and light neutrals dominate — coastal schemes feel airy precisely because they are mostly light, with blues and greens used in measured amounts. Build your layout on White (#F7F7F2) and Sand (#E5DCC3), then layer Ocean Blue (#1B6CA8) and Seafoam (#93C5BE) on top, anchoring with Navy (#243A52).
The crucial detail is the warm accent: a touch of Coral (#E8A87C) or warm sand prevents the all-cool palette from reading as cold or corporate, which is the difference between “beach” and “boardroom.” A 50-30-20 split works well: 50% light neutral, 30% blue/green water tones, 20% navy plus a small coral accent. Natural textures — linen, rope, weathered wood, rattan — reinforce the coastal feeling in photography and product design. For more water-toned blues, see our shades of blue reference.
Coastal palette for branding, web, and interiors
In branding, coastal palettes signal calm, freshness, escape, and trust, which suits travel, hospitality, wellness, swimwear, and clean-living brands. Navy provides credibility while seafoam and coral add personality. See how to choose brand colors for matching a coastal scheme to brand voice — it leans relaxed and premium rather than urgent.
On the web, coastal palettes create light, breathable interfaces; use white and sand backgrounds, navy text for strong contrast, and ocean blue for links or buttons. Always confirm seafoam and coral meet accessibility contrast before using them for text. For interiors, coastal is a defining decor style: white and sand walls, navy and seafoam textiles, driftwood and rattan furniture, and coral accents create the bright, breezy, relaxed room the palette is famous for. The light-dominant balance is what keeps the space feeling open and airy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What colors are in a coastal palette?
A coastal palette combines ocean blue (#1B6CA8), seafoam green (#93C5BE), warm sand (#E5DCC3), crisp white (#F7F7F2), and navy (#243A52), often with a coral (#E8A87C) accent. The cool water tones balance against warm sandy neutrals for a fresh, breezy, relaxed beach feeling.
What is the difference between coastal and nautical colors?
Coastal palettes are soft and varied — blues, greens, sandy neutrals, and coral — for a relaxed beach feel. Nautical palettes are crisper and more graphic, built on navy, white, and a punch of red. Nautical is bolder and more structured; coastal is softer and more atmospheric.
What is the best blue for a coastal palette?
Ocean blue (#1B6CA8) is the most versatile coastal blue — bright and clear like shallow sea water. Pair it with a deeper navy (#243A52) for anchoring and a soft seafoam (#93C5BE) for the green of the water. Together they read unmistakably as the sea.
What warm color goes with a coastal palette?
Coral (#E8A87C) is the classic warm accent — it evokes sunset and seashells and stops the cool blues from feeling cold. Warm sand and rope tan also work. A small amount of warmth is essential; it is what makes a coastal palette feel inviting rather than clinical.
