The beauty of a beach is best described by its sand. From powder white gulf beaches and golden coastlines to black rock beaches and rusty red beaches stretched out before volcanoes, the shorelines of our planet showcase dazzling colors, though few hues are as dreamy as the rare pink sand beaches.
Offering an almost ethereal beauty, the soft, rosy hues merge with crystalline waters, casting a delicate blush along the shoreline. These beaches evoke a sense of serenity and enchantment, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in their picturesque charm. To help you add to your travel bucket list, we’ve selected some of the best pink beaches, and a look at baths science behind them.
How do pink beaches get their color?
You can thank nature for the wonder of the world’s pink beaches. Whereas some colored beaches get their hues from the geology of the beach itself — such as the volcanic rock in black sand beaches and the iron in red sand beaches — pink beaches are actually colored by tiny organisms called red foraminifera. These small creatures have shells with a reddish/pinkish hue and are found on coral reefs. These shells, along with small flecks of coral, mix with white sand to create the pretty pink appearance that grants pink beaches its fame. Red foraminifera are found in all types of marine environments, but its abundance in places like the Bahamas and Indonesia is one of the reasons why these countries have substantial swatches of pink beach.
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Which countries have the best pink beaches?
The number of pink beaches in the world is as varying as the tides. Some travelers around the globe consider as little as seven to eight beaches to be truly pink while others will boast visits to nearly two dozen shorelines that have a pinkish hue. Barbados, USA, Bermuda, Greece, Spain and Ecuador are just some of the countries where you will find rose sands.
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What is the most popular pink beach?
The most popular pink beach is constantly debated. Of the top pink beaches in the Western Hemisphere, Horseshoe Bay in Bermuda draws thousands of sunbathers; in the Eastern Hemisphere, you’ll hear the pink beaches of Crete in Greece and Ses Illetes in Spain’s Balearic Islands get some of the top votes.
Greece, Elafonisi Beach, Crete
Many call Elafonisi Beach a hidden gem of Crete, and while this stretch of Greece shoreline may be a diamond in the rough, its status as one of the world’s most beautiful pink beaches means it’s far from a secret. Elafonisi Beach was named one of the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards for the top five best beaches around the globe. Expect crowds at this beach from sunup to sundown.
Discover remarkable beaches on Treasures of Greece & The Islands, a 14-day journey on land and sea from the heart of Ancient Athens to the shores of Santorini.
Bookmark for later: Seven of the most beautiful beaches in Greece
Indonesia, Pantai Merah
If you speak Indonesian, then you may be fooled by the name ‘Pantai Merah’ (Red Beach) at first glance. But the scientifically appropriately named white sand shoreline mixed with red foraminifera is a pink sand beach worthy of a journey to Indonesia’s Komodo Island. As you scan the reddish hills lining the pink sands, you may notice a scaly sunbather admiring the view with you: Komodo Island’s human population is outnumbered by the world’s largest reptiles, the Komodo dragons.
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Bermuda, Horseshoe Bay Beach
While some beaches may not be as pink as they may claim, Bermuda’s Horseshoe Bay Beach will never have to defend itself. Take one look at the salmon-colored sand and you’ll see why it’s undeniably one of the top pink beaches on this side of the planet. It’s a popular beach, thanks in part to its ease of accessibility from the cruise port. Take a quick bus ride and you’ll find a family-friendly beach with shower facilities, a cafe, and a lifeguard on duty.
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Italy, Spiaggia Rosa, Sardinia
Pink beaches are such a rare sight across our world that it’s no surprise that they are among the most popular beaches to visit. But like so many other stunning landscapes, they can also be damaged by human activity, which is why the pink sand beach in Italy is off-limits. Spiaggia Rosa is located on Budelli Island just off the coast of Sardinia in Maddalena Archipelago National Park. Though you can still access the national park, the pink beach is completely closed to all people. You can actually be fined by the Italian government for just setting foot on Spiaggia Rosa, but you’re free to take as many contact-free photos as you desire.
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Bahamas, Harbour Island
Harbour Island is one of the best pink beaches in the world according to countless magazines, television shows, and beachgoers. Only a half-mile wide and three-miles long, Harbour Island is extremely easy to navigate on foot, golf cart, and bicycle. Dunmore Town’s pastel-colored buildings line only a small portion of this expansive pink sand beach, leaving the majority of this shoreline yours to make pink footprints along.
If you love the feel of sand between your toes: explore North America’s coastlines in “Business Class” style on Best of California . Begin in sunny San Diego then make your way to Santa Barbara and Pismo Beach before settling down in San Francisco over 10 days. Or maybe discover the Spanish mainland as well as its Portuguese neighbor on Grand Spain & Portugal tour -18-days are yours to fill with tapas and pastel de natas, in between beach days in Barcelona, Lisbon, Santiago de Compostela and Santillana del Mar.
