12 Best Pink Sand Beaches To Visit In The World

The best pink sand beaches to visit in the world deliver magical experiences that you won’t find on any other beaches around the world. The pinks sands have an extraordinary effect on the glow of the surroundings, especially during sunset and sunrise when the colors mix into enchanting hues that make every tourist fall in love with the view.

If you’re curious about why there are pink sands, it is because of red organisms called foraminifera that grow beneath the corals. When foraminiferas die, they mix with crushed corals and shells that when mixed with the sand give the pink hues.

You might also already have seen some of the pink sand beaches around the world on the internet and dreamed to be in one of them.

And it’s possible, you can have a wonderful vacation on the pink beach of your choice if you have information about all the pink sand beaches from different parts of the world.

On your next vacation destination, you might even be surprised to find that there is a pink sand beach that you should not miss out on.

So, to help make sure that you won’t miss the exceptional experience of walking, swimming, and sunbathing on one of the rarest beaches in the world, we have listed all the best pink sand beaches in the world for you to add to your bucket list.

Let’s go ahead and take a look at all the stunning pink sand beaches around the world to visit:

12. Bonaire Pink Beach, Dutch Caribbean Island

Bonaire Pink Beach, Dutch Caribbean Island

Bonaire Pink Beach on Dutch Caribbean Island is one of the best pink sand beaches in the world with its duskiest pink sands.

This pink sand beach is not only beautiful with its dusky rose color but also because of its unique location which is on the island’s east coast.

The beach is situated in a secluded area and to reach it, you have to pass through a rough road. Once you make your way down the long and arduous road, the beauty of the beach will make all your efforts worthwhile. Make sure to take a photo of the beach to remind you of the challenging but worth-it-all trip.

The long drive down the unpaved roads is not easy but it will all be worth it once you get to see how the dusky pink sands contrast with the blue waters.

This beach is also a great place for swimming and snorkeling.

11. Balos Pink Sand Lagoon Beach, Greece

Balos Pink Sand Lagoon Beach, Greece

Balos Pink Sand Beach in Greece is another one of the best pink sand beaches in the world to consider for a romantic getaway or a family beach vacation.

Balos Beach is situated in the Northwest of Crete. The beach is a lagoon with clear turquoise waters and it has a long coastline that’s ideal for swimming, sunbathing, or just relaxing.

The dusky pink sands contrast beautifully with the crystal-clear lagoon making it one of the most picturesque beaches in the world. You’ll have a magical photo on the shores of this stunning beach.

The best time to visit Balos Beach is from May to October when the weather is perfect for swimming and sunbathing.

If you’re planning to visit Balos Beach with your family, try to go during the weekdays as the place can get crowded during the weekends.

10. Playa De Ses Illetes, Formentera, Spain

Playa De Ses Illetes, Formentera, Spain

Playa De Ses Illetes on Spain’s Balearic Islands is one of the most beautiful pink sand beaches in the world. The light pink color of the sands with the turquoise sea offers breathtaking sceneries on a narrow strip of land that will leave every visitor in awe. This pink sand beach of Playa De Ses Illetes is even considered one of the best beaches in Europe.

Aside from marvelous swimming activities, you can also just bask under the warm glow of the pale pink sand or take Instagram-worthy photos. The relaxing atmosphere of this pink sand beach delivers a wonderful vacation experience away from the city’s hustle and bustle.

Even boats and yachts would have stopovers on this lovely island.

The best months to visit to enjoy Playa De Ses Illetes to the fullest are from June to September, with these months having the best beach weather in Spain.

9. Spiaggia Rosa, Isola Budelli, Italy

Spiaggia Rosa, Isola Budelli, Italy

Spiaggia Rosa located in Italy is another rare and lovely beach that delivers that enchanting pink hue on its shores. This beautiful island located in the Maddalena archipelago off the coast of Sardinia in Italy is a dream destination for beach lovers.

The lovely Spiaggia Rosa or Pink Beach, as its name suggests, has a light pink color that comes from microscopic coral fragments and foraminifera.

This makes it one of the best pink beaches in the world.

The best time to visit Isola Budelli and enjoy Spiaggia Rosa’s lovely shores is from May to October when you can have the perfect beach weather.

During these months, you can take a dip in the inviting crystal clear waters or just lounge around on the soft pink sands. There are also cottages that you can rent for a day so you can have the ultimate beach experience.

8. Balos Bay, Crete Greece

Balos Bay, Crete Greece

Balos Bay located in Crete Greece is also one of the world’s best beaches with pink sand that should be on your top list of rare beaches to visit. The magical pale pink color of the sand on the stretch of beach complements the clear waters that overall delivers stunning sceneries perfect for a photo-op.

Balos Bay’s spectacular pink sand beach also has shallow waters where couples and families can have a relaxing swim. The tranquil atmosphere is the rejuvenating experience that everyone wants to be in during their vacation.

The waters around Balos Bay are also protected which resulted in thriving marine life. Snorkeling on the waters around Balos Bay is a breathtaking experience that will have every visitor see colorful sea creatures.

If you don’t like huge crowds, the months to avoid are July and August which are the peak months when tourists flock to Balos Bay. If you happen to have your vacation time on either one of these months, you can still have some quiet time if you visit Balos Bay early in the morning before the boats from Kissamos arrive.

7. Harbour Island, The Bahamas

Harbour Island, The Bahamas

Harbour Island Bahamas is another top pink beach destination in the world and one of the most wonderful pink sand beaches in the Bahamas. The 3 miles-long stretch of Harbour Island’s beach has a lovely shade of pink that comes from the coral reefs. Not only that you can get a splendid photo on one of the best pink water beaches but you will get pampered by the relaxing beauty of the island.

This beautiful pink sand beach is also one of the busiest pink beaches in The Bahamas because it is a top destination for celebrities and wealthy people. Even Prince William and Kate Middleton had their honeymoon on this lovely pink sand beach.

The best months to visit Harbour Island as one of the top pink sand beaches of the Bahamas destinations and enjoy its pink sands are from December to April.

This is the prime time for beach activities on Harbour island as the weather during these months is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and other water activities.

Book yourself a fabulous resort in the Bahamas and enjoy relaxing at both the beach and within the resort for the perfect vacation.

6. Crane Beach, Barbados

Crane Beach, Barbados

Crane Beach located in Barbados is also a breathtaking Caribbean pink sand beach that will mesmerize every visitor. This luxury resort has world-class amenities and exceptional accommodation for every tourist who is looking for an extraordinary beach vacation.

Crane Beach is even considered one of the best ten beaches in the world and this alone attests to the first-rate experience that awaits every visitor.

The Crane Resort and Residences is at the top of the cliff overlooking the pink sand beach. An awesome photo opportunity can be taken especially during sunset and sunrise when the colors are at their most vivid. The romantic atmosphere of this beach makes it a remarkable honeymoon destination.

Crane Beach also has fantastic huge waves where tourists can experience a wonderful boogie boarding experience.

While bathing in the pink glow of the beach, make sure to spare some time for snorkeling or diving adventures to have close contact with the teeming marine life.

5. Pink Beach Of Komodo, Indonesia

Pink Beach Of Komodo, Indonesia

The Pink Beach of Komodo Island Indonesia also known as Pantai Merah is one of the most beautiful pink sand beaches in the world with its soft pink sands and clear turquoise water.

This beach is located on Komodo Island Indonesia which is famous for being the home of the Komodo dragons. You will get a chance to see a komodo dragon. And if you’re not a fan of seeing a komodo dragon, and prefer a relaxing beach getaway, then you are in for a treat with the pink sand beach waiting for you. Even though these giant lizards might be the main attraction of the island which is also a Komodo National Park, Pantai Merah is a close second.

The pink sand beach Komodo has shallow waters which make it a good destination for families and there are amazing scuba diving and snorkeling spots around.

To add to the picturesque sceneries, there are rusty-red volcanic hills and verdant forests on this island in Indonesia so make sure to get a good photo that not only showcases the marvelous pink sand beach but also the beauty of the National Park.

The best time to visit this pink sand beach on Komodo Island Indonesia is between April and December when the weather is dry and sunny. The months from January to March can be quite rainy and you might not be able to enjoy your time on the beach.

4. Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur California

Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur California

Pfeiffer Beach is a lovely pink sand beach in California that is a must-visit for every beach lover. The picturesque setting of the crashing waves on the rocks, the bluffs, and the lovely pink hue of the sand make Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur one of California’s best-kept secrets.

This hidden gem can only be reached by driving down a long and winding road which is part of the allure of this beach. The long and arduous journey is worth it once you see the mesmerizing beauty of Pfeiffer Beach.

The best months to visit Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur California are from April to October when the weather is ideal for swimming and other water activities.

If you want to experience the lovely pink hue of the sand, it is best to visit the beach during sunset or sunrise. Make sure to take a photo during your visit and follow up with a delicious craft beer after returning to the city.

3. Pink Beach Of Great Santa Cruz Island, Philippines

Pink Beach Of Great Santa Cruz Island, Philippines

The Pink Beach on Santa Cruz island located in the Philippines is another dream pink beach destination in the world. The rare pink hues of the shores come from crushed organ pipe coral mixed with the glittering white sand. The waters around the Great Santa Cruz island are protected which allows marine life to thrive in abundance. With the teeming sea creatures and spectacular coral reefs, the waters offer perfect spots for snorkeling and scuba diving.

As one of the best pink beaches, not only does the pink beach in Great Santa Cruz island exude the magical pink glow but also has inviting crystal clear waters.

Please note that you can’t spend a night on this small island. You can only have a day trip to the delightful island and you can even rent a cottage for day use. Because no reservations are allowed and only a limited number of visitors are allowed to visit the island, make sure that you get the permit early in the morning.

2. Elafonisi Pink Sand Beach, Crete Greece

Elafonisi Pink Sand Beach, Crete Greece

Coined as one of the best secret beaches of Europe by BBC, Elafonisi Pink Sand Beach located in Crete Greece belongs among the loveliest pink sand beaches around the world. The pink sand beach is an islet with a swimming place not more than a meter deep.

The crystal clear turquoise waters and the shallow waters of the lagoon in Elafonisi Beach not only is a place for lovers to relax but also a family-friendly place where children can enjoy a good swim.

The intensity of the pink sand is dependent on the weather. There are days when you get deep pink hues that make the islet such an enchanting place and there are days when you get the calming pink shade mixed with the glistening white sand.

Elafonisi Pink Sand Beach offers a similar experience to that of being on one of the stunning pink sand beaches in the Caribbean. With its beauty, this pink sand beach is flocked by tourists in the summer. If you get the chance to visit Elafonisi Beach in the peak months and would like to avoid a huge crowd, try to visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

For lovers who would like to have a more intimate time together with their partners in Elafonisi Beach, try planning your trip in early summer or late summer when you’ll have fewer crowds.

1. Horseshoe Bay Beach, Bermuda

The best pink sank beach in the world - Horseshoe Bay Beach, Bermuda

The pink sands of Horseshoe Bay Beach in Bermuda offer a walk in the alluring rosy shade with dramatic rock formations in the background.

This Instagram-worthy beach has garnered the attention of tourists from all over the world with the picturesque curved-shape pink beach shoreline.

The main beach of Horseshoe Bay Beach extends to around a quarter of a mile. If you want more privacy for a romantic getaway with your loved one, there are secluded coves and hidden beaches to the east.

Horseshoe Bay Beach Bermuda delivers a fantastic swimming experience and snorkeling adventures. If you plan to snorkel, try to get a little far from the shore and towards the rocks where there are plenty of colorful fish to see.

This pink sand beach in Bermuda gets crowded from May to October especially because these months are the usual time when cruise ships dock in Bermuda. If you have your kids with you, visit Baby Beach which as the name suggests is a great swimming and snorkeling place for kids. Don’t forget to take a photo of the lovely beach during your visit.


There you go, all the best pink sand beaches to visit in the world! Now all that’s left to do is choose your destination and enjoy the wonderful experience of walking on pink sand and swimming in pink waters!

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Article by Alice

Hey I'm Alice. Based in San Diego where I write about my personal experiences but also well researched content pieces for curious travelers.