Pink sand beaches are rare, but the beauty of a strand of blushing sand contrasting with aquamarine waters is worth seeking out by world travelers. This unusual phenomenon is created by materials such as crushed coral off-shore and calcium carbonate from reddish-colored microorganisms in the water.
A few pink sand beaches dot the shores of all the oceans around the world in places like Bermuda, Barbados, Greece, the Philipines, and Sardina. If you love vacationing among the surf and sand, you should definitely add one of these best pink sand beaches in the world to your dream travel list.
One of the best beaches in Bermuda, pink-hued Horseshoe Bay is named for its curved shape. The rosy sand gets its unique color from crushed shells and sea creatures. Located in South Shore Park in southern Bermuda, it’s conveniently close to the United States and a popular stop for cruise ships so don’t expect seclusion. You’ll see lots of photographers clamor to get the best shots.
During the high season (May through October), a lifeguard is on duty and beach equipment such as lounge chairs, boogie boards, gear for snorkeling, and beach equipment are available for rent. A concession stand sells snacks and beverages. Accommodations are within walking distance.
Horseshoe Bay Beach is also loved for its tranquil turquoise waters. The coral reefs offshore block huge waves from reaching the shore making it a snorkeler’s paradise. There’s also a coastal trail for hiking to other nearby beaches, and the surrounding limestone cliffs add to the scenery.
Located in the Philippines, Great Santa Cruz Island is a peaceful paradise a little over two miles south of Zamboanga City. The island’s pink sand beach can only be reached by boat. The 15-minute boat ride from Zamboanga must be arranged at the tourist office at least one day in advance. The number of daily visitors is limited and you can only be on the island between 8 am and 2 pm.
The area is a protected marine life preserve, however illegal coral mining has stripped away much of the marine life. The sand’s pale pink color comes from pulverized red organ pipe coral. While swimming isn’t popular because of the rough waves, scuba divers and snorkels come here to take advantage of the clear water.
There are no concessions, so you’ll have to carry food and water and be prepared to take your trash back with you. However, the beach does have bathrooms and covered huts for shelter from the elements.
Another reason to visit the island is to take an organized tour of the mangrove lagoon with its incredible wildlife.
Pink Sand Beach on Harbour Island is a three-mile-long beach that gets its soft pink hue from the crushed red and pink shells of microscopic coral insects. Thanks to these creatures, the sand is always cool to bare feet. The water is warm all year and always calm because of a coral reef that protects it from rough waves.
The beach is ideal for families with children and is popular for swimming, snorkeling, and horseback riding. Guests can stay right on the beach at places like The Dunmore or Pink Sands Resort. The colonial-style cottages all have sweeping ocean vistas.
Easy to reach, Harbour Island is in the Bahamas off the coast of Eleuthera.
Pale pink velvety sand, lush coconut groves, and vibrant turquoise water make Crane Beach one of the best in Barbados. Because of coral reefs, most other pink sand beaches have calm waters, but the water at Crane Beach has enough wave action for boogie boarding. (There are no rentals so you must BYOB. ) A lifeguard is on duty most days.
Most visitors access the beach from the posh hilltop Crane Resort. Choose from descending 98 steps or riding in a glass elevator down to the beach. There is another entrance at the far end where you will have to cross a rocky beach.
The Crane, one of the oldest hotels in the Caribbean has been in operation since 1867. Resort guests have use of free lounge chairs and umbrellas. The resort also has several pools, a spa, and a fitness center on the property.
Komodo Island is famous in Indonesia for its wildlife. However, that is not all it has to offer!
Komodo Island’s aptly named Pink Beach has a striking stretch of blushing sand that makes it one of Indonesia’s best beaches. The closer you get to the crystal clear aquamarine water, the pinker the sand appears. The rosy color comes from the red pigment of microscopic foraminifera left behind on the surrounding coral reefs.
Popular Pink Beach’s shores are situated within Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The setting is lush with trees on the shore and a backdrop of rugged mountains. If you’re lucky, you may spot a Komodo Dragon, for which the island is named swimming offshore.
The beach’s shallow waters and underwater coral gardens are ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving. It’s one of the harder pink beaches to reach, but several tour companies and resorts offer boat excursions out to the island.
California’s legendary Big Sur is the site of Pfeiffer State Park and Pheiffer Beach. In addition to the pink-tinted sand, the beach has hues of purple and is surrounded by towering cliffs and massive boulders making it especially photogenic at sunset.
The sand gets its pink, almost purplish hue from quartz and manganese garnet deposits from the nearby hills. The color is deeper in the wet sections where waves crash upon the shore.
With fierce waves and strong currents, swimming isn’t recommended, but Pfeiffer Beach is a must-visit spot when near Big Sur. Climb the rocks, take photos, build purple-pink sandcastles, and search for Keyhole Rock and natural caves in the area.
Elafonissi Beach is a picturesque beach situated on a narrow peninsula off the mainland of Crete. The area is quiet since the nearest city, Chania, is over an hour’s drive away. Elafonissi Beach is one of the most popular day trip destinations from Chania. The sand, known as the softest in the Mediterranean, is actually a mix of pink and white and comes from crushed shells.
Visitors get to Elafonissi by wading through the water from the mainland which is easy to do, especially at low tide. The sandbar is only covered by one meter of water at high tide. The turquoise water is warm and shallow. Once there, you’ll feel like you’re in a remote oasis.
The beach is in a protected area that helps maintain its natural beauty. The classified nature reserve protects the loggerhead turtles that nest here. You’ll want to snap some photos of the pink-hued sand, surrounding rock formations, and wildflowers.
Kids love playing in the lagoons surrounding the shore making Elafonissi a great beach for family fun. You’ll have all the beach amenities you need back on the mainland including a parking lot, bathrooms, lounge chairs, and umbrellas.
One of the most photogenic beaches on Crete, Balos Lagoon Beach has graced the front of many postcards. Popular with the elites, Prince Charles and Princess Diana once brought their yacht here. The pillow-soft sand is sugary-white with a hint of pink and the water is a vivid blue-green.
The water is warm and shallow making Balos Lagoon a favorite beach for travelers with kids. But once you’ve passed the rocks and boundaries of the lagoon, the water gets deeper and colder, inviting those who wish to snorkel.
Balos Lagoon is in a protected area and serves as a shelter for loggerhead turtles and monk seals. Elenora falcons, shags, and cormorants nest in the area’s caves.
It takes some planning to get to Balos Lagoon. The elite arrives at the beach via yacht while others come by ferry from the port in Kissamos 17 km to the northwest. You can also drive, but you’ll have to walk about a half-hour before arriving at the sand.
Pink Beach is another postcard-perfect beach lining the tiny island of Bonaire in the Dutch part of the beautiful blue Caribbean (Bonaire is often compared with Curacao). Flanked by tall waving palms, the narrow strip of rose-hued sand gets its color from millions of crushed foraminifera shells. Although it’s narrow, the views are expansive and stunning.
Calm, clear waters and colorful reefs make scuba diving and snorkeling the activities of choice at Pink Beach. Bonaire National Park is one of the best dive spots in the Caribbean. The bottom is shallow and sandy, so it’s easy to come face to fin with fascinating creatures of the sea. Stingrays are common, so divers and snorkelers must watch where they step.
For offshore activities, the Divi Flamingo Resort & Casino is close by. The resort features ocean view rooms, a PADI dive center, a spa, and three eateries. All-inclusive stays include snorkeling, salsa dancing lessons, and sunset yoga.
Situated in Spain’s Balearic Islands, Playa de Ses Illetes is quieter and less crowded than neighboring Ibiza or Mallorca. The name, meaning “beach of the small islands” in Spanish, refers to the nearby cluster of small islets off the Formentera coast. From a distance, the sand looks white, but when you get closer, you won’t need rose-tinted glasses to see that it’s actually a pale pink.
Although this pink beach has a secluded feel, it gets lots of action in the water from large luxury yachts puttering around. There are places to rent water sports equipment and several award-winning seafood restaurants for dining.
One of Indonesia’s magnificent beaches, Tangsi beach is on the island of Lombok near Bali in the calm water of the Java Sea. While some pink beaches are such a pale hue they almost look white, Tangsi’s sand is a true pink. The color is at its brightest early in the day.
Although it’s a good beach for families, there are no amenities such as restaurants, and the road to the beach is paved but not well maintained. Tourism is growing, but the infrastructure is still basic. But if you are looking for a true pink beach, this one is not to be missed.
One of the quieter Bermuda beaches, Elbow Beach is a mile-long curving strand of pink sand that gets its pint tint from crushed off-shore brightly colored reefs. Vacationers come here for the peaceful atmosphere and for the excellent snorkeling and diving. The waters are teeming with colorful fish, and there are some impressive shipwrecks to explore.
The beach has bathrooms and a few bars and restaurants. The adjacent Elbow Beach Resort & Spa features a half-mile of private beach, tennis courts, onsite restaurants, and Bermuda’s largest free-form pool.
Spiaggia Rosa is another pink sand beach that is undeniably pink. It’s situated on a small toll called Isola Budelli off the northern coast of Sardinia. Coming from fragments of red coral and crushed colored stones, the pink tint ranges from a salmon hue to deep fuschia.
In fact, the sand is so unusual, the beach had to be closed to visitors because too many people were removing sand from the beach by the bucketfuls to take home. But you can still enjoy the stunning views by boat while dolphins play in the water.
While you’re in the area, head to another unusual beach. Located on the north corner of the island, Porto Ferro is a one-mike strand with orange-colored sand that gets its color from native orange limestone, volcanic deposits, and crushed shells.
Anna is the co-owner of expert world travel and can't wait to share her travel experience with the world. With over 54 countries under her belt she has a lot to write about! Including those insane encounters with black bears in Canada.