Pink sand occurs when the sea crushes corals and discarded shells of red foraminifera, a type of marine organism with shells made of the mineral calcium carbonate, and washes the fine fragments ashore. The tiny pieces of reddish calcium carbonate then mix with the seashore’s white sand, a composite of pulverized skeletons of pale sea creatures, creating a pink tinge.
With that in mind, you won’t need to wear rose-colored glasses when visiting beaches with pink sand. All you need are a swimsuit, sunscreen, and pair of sunglasses to enjoy these gorgeous coastlines. Here are 8 beaches where you can bask in the splendor of pink sand:
Pink Sand Beaches: Check them out now!
1. Pink Beach on Komodo Island
If you yearn to marvel at colorful fish and corals, majestic dragons, and rose-tinted sand, Pink Beach on Komodo Island is the place to go. As its name suggests, this island is where Komodo dragons dwell (but they live on a different part of the island, not on Pink Beach). At Pink Beach, you can snorkel, swim, and picnic whilst knowing that real dragons are just yonder.
Location: Pink Beach on Komodo Island
2. Elafonissi Beach
Known for its mesmerizing, turquoise water and pink-hued sand, Elafonissi Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Crete. As a prominent place for summer vacations, Elafonissi Beach sees lots of tourists between July and August. So if you prefer to experience this beach without enormous crowds, aim to visit during the off-season.
Location: Chania, Crete, Greece
3. Pink Beach on Bonaire
Situated in the Caribbean Sea and outside of the hurricane belt, Bonaire offers over 20 beaches with whimsical names such as Bachelor’s Beach, No Name Beach, and Chachacha Beach. One of the more aptly named beaches is Pink Beach which is home to rose-colored sand. Although Pink Beach’s relatively narrow strip of sand may limit excessive wandering, this beach is perfect for laidback picnics, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
Location: Pink Beach on Komodo Island
4. Pink Beach on Komodo Island
Since it’s located on a small island accessible to visitors only by boat, Pink Sand Beach almost guarantees that its rosy shores will not be overcrowded by tourists. Featuring pristine water intended for swimming and snorkeling as well as a recreational spot with a volleyball area and barbecue pits, this idyllic beach is a family-friendly destination for a lovely day trip.
Location: Pink Beach on Komodo Island
5. Spiaggia Rosa
As part of La Maddalena Archipelago National Park, Spiaggia Rosa is a marvelous pink sand beach that also features diverse flora and fauna. Moreover, dolphins frequent the area’s water as well as the occasional sperm whale. Nature lovers will be in awe of Spiaggia Rosa’s biodiversity and natural beauty.
Location: Budelli, Sardinia, Italy
6. John Smith's Bay Beach
John Smith's Bay Beach is positioned quite a distance from trendy tourist attractions, so the relatively secluded area is frequented more by locals than vacationers. For those who desire to do more than snorkel and take a quiet stroll across pink-tinted sand, the Spittal Pond Nature Reserve and Devil’s Hole Aquarium are in walking distance from the beach.
Location: Bermuda, Caribbean
7. Anse Source D'Argent
Ranked by National Geographic as the top beach in the world, Anse Source D'Argent is a picturesque paradise with stunning pink sand, impressive granite formations, and crystal clear water. Replete with long patches of shoreline and untouched corners, this island beach enables the adventurous to journey off of the beaten path and explore.
Location: La Digue Island, Seychelles
8. Pink Sands Beach
With stretches of pink sand that expand for several miles, Pink Sands Beach is one of the most popular beaches offering rosy pebbles and calm water ideal for snorkeling and swimming. The best time to visit this spectacular beach is during the spring when the temperature is moderate and hurricane season has yet to come.
Location: Harbour Islands, Bahamas
This article was written by Justina Tran.