Mexican Beach Pebble vs Rip Rap

Mexican Beach Pebble

Mexican beach pebbles are smooth, naturally tumbled stones commonly used in modern and decorative landscaping. They are prized for their uniform shape, rich color, and polished appearance.

Rip Rap

Large, heavy, angular stones ranging from 6 to 24+ inches used primarily for erosion control. Rip rap protects shorelines, stream banks, bridge abutments, and steep slopes from water erosion. The heavy weight and interlocking shape resist displacement by flowing water and wave action.

Mexican Beach Pebble

• ✓ Decorative landscaping
• ✓ Garden beds
• ✓ Planters
• ✓ Water features

Rip Rap

• ✓ Shoreline protection
• ✓ Stream bank stabilization
• ✓ Bridge abutments
• ✓ Steep slope stabilization
• ✓ Culvert outlets
• ✓ Retaining wall faces

Mexican Beach Pebble

• + Very attractive appearance
• + Smooth texture
• + Long-lasting
• + Low dust

• − Expensive
• − Poor traction
• − Can shift easily

Rip Rap

• + Extremely effective at preventing water erosion
• + Heavy weight resists displacement by water
• + Long-lasting — lasts decades with no maintenance
• + Angular shape interlocks for stability
• + Natural appearance blends with waterside environments

• − Very heavy — requires heavy equipment to place
• − Expensive for large projects
• − Not suitable for foot traffic
• − Requires engineering design for major installations
• − Limited decorative appeal

Mexican Beach Pebble

Available in sizes from 1" to 3". Commonly black, charcoal, or dark gray.

Rip Rap

Large angular stones typically 6-24 inches in diameter, though some applications use stones up to 36 inches or larger. Weight ranges from 25 to 500+ pounds per stone. Colors vary by source quarry — typically gray, blue-gray, tan, or brown. Sold by the ton rather than by the yard.