For the most Instagrammable beach scene this summer, you’ll want to make your way to one of the world’s prettiest pink sand beaches. Just like the moody black beaches we all know and love, pink sand beaches are all over our feeds and it’s easy to see why…
The pink sand is created when thousands of broken coral pieces, shells and calcium carbonate materials left behind by foraminifera (tiny marine creatures with red and pink shells) collect – as if by magic! And as pink is always going to do well on the ‘Gram, we’ve searched for some of the best to add to your summer bucket list… These are the best pink sand beaches to visit.
Harbour Island, Bahamas
Slowly becoming the destination of all the Caribbean destinations, Harbour Island can be found on one of the smaller islands in the Bahamas. The sun-kissed pink sands stretch across the island shore for five kilometres. The rose colour is a contribution of foraminifera – a type of marine animal – and its beautiful red shell which crushes and mixes with the white sand once the insect dies. The sand is unlike other areas of the world as the sand is always cool, allowing you to stroll far and walk barefoot without doing the hot sand dance. Both snorkelling and swimming are made easy by the outlying reefs that provide large expanses of calm and shallow water – perfect for those wanting to explore the depths of its tranquil oceans.
Where: Court Road Dunmore Town, Harbour Island
Website: www.bahamas.com
Spiaggia Rosa, Budelli, Sardinia
Despite having been permanently closed back in 1994 by the Italian government, this pastel pink beach oozes allure for all and can still be enjoyed via a gaze from Spiaggia di Cavalieri – or via social media! The beach is one of the world’s best pink sands; rich with coral, and adorned by a spectacular colour derived from a pink microorganism that inhabits the posidonia meadows and lives inside the shells. It’s prohibited in order to protect its beauty but we urge you to give the area a visit anyway and marvel at what you can.
Where: Province of Olbia-Tempio
Website: www.sardegnaturismo.it
Horseshoe Bay, Bermuda
Now one of the world’s most Instagrammed beaches, Horseshoe Bay lures swimmers, adventurers and photographers from across the globe at an intense rate. Due to its fame, you can expect crowds however if you venture further across to the east, the scenery is just as spellbinding. Surrounding Horseshoe Bay are immense rock formations, and for the early-risers among us, climb up to the tallest rock formation to see exceptional sunrises that will have you looking at buying a property in the blink of an eye.
Plus, if you are up for the 180+ step climb, stroll further along the shore and visit Gibb’s Hill Lighthouse and revel in the beauty Bermuda has to offer.
Where: South Road, Bermuda
Website: www.gotobermuda.co.uk
Playa de Ses Illetes, Formentera, Spain
Cushioned by Ibiza, Playa de Ses Illetes offers a bountiful beach with a dose of luxury. Think Michelin-star offerings nearby and yacht owners on the horizon, not to mention the pink sand underfoot. Water is famously crystal clear and wraps itself around the charming peninsula of Es Trucadors, in the north of Formentera.
Where: Es Pujols, Illes Balears, Spagna
Website: www.affittoformentera.com
Elafonisi Beach, West Crete
A little closer to home is Elafonisi, voted several times as one of the most majestic beaches in Europe. Known for its dunes, cedar trees, white lilies and black rock, as well as its intensely blue sea, Elafonisi is a small island located just 200 metres from the shore. For animal lovers, the endangered loggerhead sea turtle can be found residing across the island, along with rare animals and plants potted along the shoreline. Although the majority of the sand is the usual white, the pink glimmers across the shoreline due to the thousands of broken seashells it contains, allowing you to fulfill your Greek goddess dreams.
Where: Chania, Crete
Website: www.cretetravel.com
Pantai Merah, Komodo Islands, Indonesia
Known by locals as Red Beach, Pantai Merah is just one of the beautiful features Komodo Island has on offer. The pink-tinted sands are far from the only perks of the sun-kissed area, the beach is surrounded by panoramic views of green rolling hills, cloudless blue skies and turquoise ocean. The underwater garden is filled with both soft and hard corals, perfect for those wanting to snorkel or swim amongst the exotic fish. The island is uninhabited so transport can be limited, so it’s best to do your research first but the otherworldly scenery will make up for the hassle of locating the beauty. You might come face-to-face with a Komodo Dragon across your travels but be sure to keep a distance and visit the beach with an experienced guide.
Where: East Nusa Tenggara, Komodo Islands, Indonesia
Website: www.indonesia.travel
Tikehau, Tahiti
If you’ve got holiday plans that include Tahiti then simply must visit the pink sand beaches. Wrapped around a lagoon, the white and pink sands of Tikehau are truly spellbinding and the location makes for a prime dolphin spotting spot. Does it get much better?
Website: www.tahiti.com
