12 Stunning Pink Sand Beaches You Must See at Least Once in Your Lifetime (2024)

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Beachgoers planning a summer vacation always look for sun, sand, and turquoise waters. Luckily, stunning beaches around the globe offer just that. However, travelers looking to push their vacation into bucket-list territory might want something more spectacular, unique, and rare, like a pink sand beach.

Though rare, some beach destinations around the world feature beautiful pink-hued shorelines. Pair these sands with turquoise seas, and you’re in a photographer’s dream. Today, we’ll show you 12 stunning pink sand beaches you need to see. The beaches on our list are simply the most impressive pink sand beaches in the world!

Horseshoe Bay Beach, Bermuda, Caribbean

Horseshoe Bay Beach in Bermuda is one of the most photographed beaches in the Caribbean, and with good reason. Found in South Shore Park and named after its curved shape, this pink beach has blush sands, crystal clear turquoise waters, and a hiking trail that links it to other beaches.

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The limestone boulders and cliffs that line the beach also add to its natural beauty. For beachgoers, Horseshoe Bay Beach also features amenities such as lifeguards, snorkeling equipment, water sports equipment, and a concession stand selling drinks and snacks. Therefore, spending a whole day relaxing and having fun at Horseshoe Bay Beach is very doable.

Read also:Must-Visit Beaches in the Caribbean

Balos, Crete, Greece

Balos Beach is nestled on the picturesque coast of Crete. Accessing Balos involves a bit of an adventure, as you must navigate a narrow, winding dirt road that leads to a parking area. The journey can be challenging but is undoubtedly worth the effort for the breathtaking views and pristine natural beauty.

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Once you’ve parked, you’ll need to hike 20 to 30 minutes to reach the beach. The trail is manageable even in flip-flops, though the midday sun can make the trek feel more strenuous. Despite the heat, the path to Balos is lined with scenic spots ideal for taking breaks and enjoying panoramic views of the sea.

Read also:Must-Visit Greek Islands

Playa de Ses Illetes, Formentera, Spain

Admittedly, Playa de Ses Illetes on Formentera Island in the Mediterranean Sea doesn’t have the brightest pink sand, but it’s still a spectacular beach. It’s approximately 1,476 feet (450 meters) long and has golden sands with a subtle pink hue, clear waters, and breathtaking coastal views.

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Better still, Playa de Ses Illetes also offers some of the most picturesque sunsets in Spain, so consider visiting in the evening, too! The best time to visit this beach is between June and August, when you can enjoy warmer weather and sunshine. In August, temperatures on the beach reach highs of 86°F (30°C). It’s also worth noting that various watersport activities, such as kitesurfing and sailing, are available at Playa de Ses Illetes.

Read also:Top Tropical Destinations Across The World

Pink Sand Beaches, Tikehau, Tahiti

Commonly referred to as the “Pink Beach Island,” Tikehau is a secluded island approximately an hour’s flight from Papeete, the capital of Tahiti. With a name like that, you can expect great things from its beaches. Tikehau is also home to glorious white-sand beaches, but the island’s rose-colored beaches are by far the most impressive.

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Tikehau’s pink sand beaches are serene, tranquil, and utterly breathtaking. The sand on the island gets its color from a single-cell organism called foraminifera, which has been depositing reddish-pink shells for millions of years. To top things off, Tikehau’s lagoon is home to abundant marine life, including sea turtles, dolphins, gray reef sharks, hammerhead sharks, and eagle rays, making it a prime snorkeling and scuba diving spot.

Read also:Best Hidden Beaches in the World

Pink Beach, Komodo Island, Indonesia

This mesmerizing stretch of soft pink sand beach can be found on Indonesia’s Komodo Island. Home to the fearsome Komodo Dragon, Komodo Island is famed for its wildlife, rugged landscape, pristine beaches, and crystalline waters. However, Pink Beach often steals the show.

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This pink beach gets its color from a red pigment left on coral reefs surrounding the island by microscopic organisms. As such, the coral reefs around the Komodo Islands also feature a vibrant hue of color. Unsurprisingly, this makes the waters off Pink Beach a popular snorkeling and scuba diving hub. If you’d prefer to keep your feet dry, take a relaxed stroll along the beach with your camera instead. Due to its remote location, Pink Beach doesn’t have any amenities.

Read also:Most Beautiful Beaches in the World

Tangsi Beach, Lombok, Indonesia

Another Indonesian beach on our list is Tangsi Beach on the island of Lombok, which is not too far away from Bali, Indonesia’s most popular island. Tangsi Beach is well-known worldwide for its tall rocky cliffs, pink sand, and turquoise waters. The sand here is a bright cherry blossom color, so you won’t want to forget your camera.

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The best time to visit Tangsi Beach is from May to October to avoid the rainy season. At the beach, you can relax, unwind, and swim in the sea. Meanwhile, adventurous travelers will enjoy kayaking and snorkeling from the beach. Alternatively, you could hike to the Tangsi Beach viewpoint to capture epic photographs of the beach from above.

Read also:Underrated Tropical Destinations

Pink Sand Beach, Harbour Island, Bahamas

On the eastern side of Harbour Island in the Bahamas, travelers are treated to a picture-perfect beach with lush green forest, vibrant pink sand, and clear blue waters. Located just a few miles from Eleuthera Island in the Bahamas, this island has almost 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) of beach to walk along, but Pink Sand Beach is the most impressive stretch to explore.

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During your visit to Pink Sand Beach, take lots of photographs, dip your toes in the sea, and grab a refreshing drink from one of the hotel bars. If you want to explore the rest of the island, hire a kayak and paddle to the other side.

Read also:Must-Visit Caribbean Islands

Spiaggia Rosa, Sardinia, Italy

The Sardinian coastline is famous for its impressive beaches and tropical waters. Spiaggia Rosa on Sardinia’s Budelli Island is a fine example of what the area offers. Thanks to a tiny organism called Miniacina miniacea, Spiaggia Rosa features a long stretch of pinky-purple sand.

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Spiaggia Rosa was once so famous that tourists would travel from afar to take sand away by the bag. This led to the death of organisms and the loss of the delightful pink hues. To prevent any further damage and restore the beach to its former glory, Spiaggia Rosa was listed as protected. As a result, travelers can’t walk on the beach or swim in the sea, so you’ll have to admire the beach from afar.

Read also:Must-Visit Beaches in Europe

Pink Sand Beach, Great Santa Cruz Island, Philippines

Pink Sand Beach on Great Santa Cruz Island in the Philippines is a secluded beach you can only reach by boat. As such, it offers a more relaxed and quiet experience. This beach gets its pink hues from pulverized red organ pipe coral. While there isn’t much on the island, there is a small village where tourists can get something to eat and drink.

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Thanks to Pink Sand Beach’s clear waters and excellent visibility, snorkelers and scuba divers often visit the island. Unfortunately, though, coral mining has destroyed much of the island’s marine life. After spending time on Pink Sand Beach, you could see the island’s mangroves.

Read also:Top Tropical Destinations Across The World

Pfeiffer Beach, California, United States

Sitting along California’s Pacific coastline is a unique beach where the sand changes color depending on the weather conditions. Tucked away in Los Padres National Forest, this hidden gem has pinkish-purple sand that has even been reported as turning green. This unique phenomenon is caused by manganese garnet runoff from the nearby mountains.

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Pfeiffer Beach also has a unique rock formation called Pfeiffer Keyhole Rock. If you walk along the beach at sunset, you’ll catch a glimpse of the sun setting through the rock’s keyhole arch. If you time your photograph perfectly, you might also snap a photo of the sunlight reflecting off the spray of waves crashing against the rocks.

Read also: Incredible Secret Beaches in the US

Elafonisi Beach, Crete, Greece

Elafonisi Beach is a hugely popular pink sand beach located on Crete. Arguably one of the world’s most standout pink beaches, it features a long stretch of bright pink sand paired with beautiful turquoise waters. The two colors create a postcard-perfect picture that no Instagram filter can compete with.

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Aside from a serene stretch of Greek coastline, Elafonisi Beach also offers convenient beachside amenities. These include public parking, sun loungers, beach bars, and bathrooms. During the holiday season, Elafonisi Beach has lifeguards, too. Most definitely an all-day destination, spend your time at the beach walking along the sandbar, photographing the landscape, and dipping your toes in the warm Greek waters.

Read also:Must-Visit Beaches in Greece

Les Sables Roses, Rangiroa, French Polynesia

French Polynesia draws thousands of tourists yearly with the promise of wall-to-wall sunshine, crystal-clear blue waters, and long white sand beaches. However, one of the best beaches in the region is pink. Les Sables Roses is a gorgeous beach with pinky-white sand that shines bright on a sunny day.

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This beach is so secluded you can only reach it via an organized lagoon tour. It will take more than two hours to get there, though, so you’ll want to book a tour that includes a picnic. Due to its remote location, you’ll almost have this small stretch of sand entirely to yourself. Popular activities on Les Sables Roses include sunbathing, swimming, and snorkeling.

Read also:Hidden Tropical Islands

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