While most of the world’s beaches are golden, pink sand beaches are unusual and result in striking pictures. The pigmentation in pink sand is mostly imparted from the decay of single-celled, red-shelled organisms called foraminifera that get crushed and combine with the beach's soft white sand. Ranging from bubblegum pink to rosy hues, here are some of the best pink beaches around the world that are worth seeing in person.
PFEIFFER BEACH, CALIFORNIA
When wet, manganese garnet deposits create a purplish hue at Pfeiffer Beach—located at the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park in the Big Sur region. The rocky formations and granite cliffs don’t make this beach ideal for swimming, but it’s a great spot for sunset photography.
PINK BEACH, BONAIRE
The Pink Beach on the Dutch-Caribbean island country of Bonaire has a narrow strip of sand where you can find picnickers, snorkelers, and scuba divers of all ages.
PLAYA ROSADA, NICARAGUA
Located inside the luxurious Rancho Santana community, the pink sand beach is one of the five on-site beaches ideal for surfers, shell collectors, and waterfront diners. Go just before sunset to catch the glistening sand as you sip on a glass of sangria at La Boquita.
LAKE HART, AUSTRALIA
Australia is known for its high-salt level pink lakes that lead to unreal rosy salt flats and blush-hued beaches, both of which you can often walk on. Although it’s set in the outback of South Australia, the shallow pink Lake Hart is one of the easiest to get to.
CRANE BEACH, BARBADOS
Crane Beach, with its powder-pink sands, is one of the best places to unwind, swim, and sunbathe in Barbados. Located on the southern coast in St. Philip, it is accessible by a set of stairs or glass elevator from The Crane Resort. Beaches in Barbados are open to the public, so you don’t need to be a guest to visit this secluded paradise.
ST. CATHERINE’S BEACH, BERMUDA
Also known as Gates Bay and home to the new St. Regis Bermuda Resort, this resort’s pink beach leads guests towards the historic St. George’s Parish. Soak in sweeping views of the pink sands and blue ocean from Fort St. Catherine.
PANTAI MERAH, KOMODO, INDONESIA
Remote and exotic, Pantai Merah (meaning red beach) is one of the best pink sand beaches on Komodo Island. It is accessible only by boat and located within the Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can also see the endemic Komodo dragons.
ELAFONISI BEACH, GREECE
A striking view against a backdrop of turquoise water, Elafonisi Beach’s pink sand is a picturesque sight in the Chania Region of Crete. Depending on where you stay, you can get there by car, bus, or boat. The beach also offers plenty of public amenities, including bathrooms and parking. Be sure to get to the beach early if you want to rent a sun lounger or umbrella.
HARBOUR BEACH, THE BAHAMAS
The three-mile-long, baby-pink coastline along the eastern shore of Habour Island in The Bahamas is superb place to snorkel, dive, and swim. Look for sea turtles and shipwrecks as you plunge in the calm waters.
