You may have heard of white and black sand beaches, but what about shores with pink sands? Though rare, several countries around the world, including Greece and Indonesia, are home to beautiful pink-hued shorelines. As if turquoise seas weren’t stunning enough, pairing them with blush-colored sands makes for a photo no Instagram filter can rival.
What makes ‘Pink Sand Pink’ ?
Formifera- Coral insects
Pink sand beaches get their distinctive colours from tiny coral insects called foraminifera (forams).These creatures contain red and pink shells. They attach themselves to the coral for food, feeding on plankton for nutrients.
Forams are primary producers in the aquatic food chain. These organisms live in symbiosis with algae, which gives them their different coloration. They mix with other marine debris when the forams die and get washed ashore by tidal forces, which gives the sand its pink color.
Scientists believe there are more than 4,000 species of forams, and most of them are living at the bottom of the ocean.
Here are some of the most beautiful pink sand beaches around the world:
Horseshoe Bay Beach, Bermuda
Horseshoe Bay Beach, Bermuda
One of Bermuda’s most famous beaches is Horseshoe Bay Beach, known for its pink sand and sparkling turquoise waters. The pink color comes from tiny marine organisms called foraminifera with red shells that mix with the white sand. There are numerous reasons to visit this beach, for locals and other tourists, considering it provides swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing opportunities. This view incorporates enhanced sceneries as it has limestone cliffs and rock formations adding to this skyline of beauty, making it an ideal place for photography and relaxation.
Spiaggia Rosa, Isola Budelli, Italy
Spiaggia Rosa, Isola Budelli, Italy
Located on the island of Budelli in the Maddalena Archipelago, is Spiaggia Rosa. It’s a beach known for its pink sand. It is believed to have originated from broken-up fossils, coral, and shells, mainly due to a type of microorganism called Miniacina miniacea. As it forms such a fragile ecosystem, the beach is restricted in access, largely in the interest of preserving its natural beauty. From a distance, the visitors can also view the beach where the rose pink color of this beach will, therefore, be preserved for generations to come.
Pink Beach, Komodo Island, Indonesia
Pink Beach, Komodo Island, Indonesia
The pink sand of this Beach on the Komodo Island contrasts with its crystal clear blue waters. This happens because of the foraminifera-micromarine organisms that produce a red pigment on coral reefs. When they die, the mixture of their shells with the white sand gives this beach its rosy tint. This is part of the Komodo National Park, designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is also very famous for its rich marine diversity, it is an excellent snorkeling and diving location.
Balos Bay, Crete, Greece
Balos Bay, Crete, Greece
Balos Bay on the island of Crete also presents a beautiful lagoon and pink sand beaches. The pink color of the sand here is due to millions of crushed shells and foraminifera that have been washed up on the shore. This beach is found on the northwest tip of Crete and can be accessed either by boat or treacherous hike. The shallow, warm waters of the lagoon are perfect for swimming, and the surrounding scenery, including the nearby island of Gramvousa makes this beautiful location even more attractive.
Harbour Island, The Bahamas
Harbour Island, The Bahamas
Harbour Island boasts of ‘Pink Sands Beach’, one of the most famous pink sand beaches in the world. The pink color is the result of foraminifera, microscopic coral insects that have a brightly coloured shell, living on the reefs and along the seabed. After these organisms die out, the shells mix with the sand to give the beach its famous pink colour. The beach stretches over three miles and features an excellent peaceful and wonderful setting for sunbathing swimming and snorkeling.
Great Santa Cruz Island, Philippines
Great Santa Cruz Island, Philippines
Great Santa Cruz Island in the Philippines is known for its distinctive pink sand beach, having gotten its color from pulverized red organ pipe coral. The island itself is a protected area to ensure its natural beauty is preserved. The pink sand paired with clear blue waters a treat to the viewer’s eyes. Swimming, snorkeling, and exploring the beautiful marine life in the surrounding coral reefs are the usual activities that visitors do when visiting this island.
