Is there a difference in meaning between plaj and kumsal???

Kumsal comes from kum (sand) and our dictionary translates it as sandy beach while plaj means beach.

Actually "kumsal" refers to the sandy land along the seaside while "plaj" refers to the place that is used by people.

plaj : beach, bathing beach

kumsal : sandy beach / shore

There are differences in usage of these words.

For example if I went to a romantic walk on the beach with my girlfriend, I would say

Kız arkadaşımla kumsalda yürüyüş yaptım. NOT Kız arkadaşımla plajda yürüyüş yaptım.

Plaj is mostly used to describe the shore where everybody who wants to swim gather and set up their beach umbrellas and spread their towels on the sand and lie there. It's a crowded place and kids dig holes on the sand, there is always an action and movement.

But kumsal is the general name of the sandy area near the sea.

I hope this makes sense

plaj : beach, bathing beach

Same sound as in plage in french for beach