11 Most Beautiful Pink-sand Beaches Around the World

That’s no Instagram filter — see la vie en rose at these colorful coastlines.

Forget sugar-white stretches of sand: Beaches come in all colors. From green sand in Hawaii to the red cliffs of Santorini to the bioluminescent blue of Vaadhoo in the Maldives, you can find a full-on rainbow of sand across the globe. And as mythic as the volcanic black sands of Iceland are, there’s something extra sweet about a beach with a band of pink sand.

The rare phenomenon is often caused by crushed coral or fragments of shell, and thankfully many of these colorful coastlines are found in equally picturesque locales, from Greece to the Caribbean to Tahiti.

Your glasses won’t have to be rose-colored to see life in pink at these beautiful blush beaches around the world. Here are 11 of our favorites.

Related:More beach vacation ideas

Elafonisi Beach, Elafonisi, Greece

Just off the coast of Crete lies Elafonisi, a small island known for pink sands created by colorful microorganisms and pieces of coral. When the tide is low, it’s even possible to wade here by foot from the island of Crete. Elafonisi is a protected nature reserve, so be sure to leave nothing behind. For an all-inclusive stay while on Crete, check into the family-friendly Kiani Beach Resort.

Pantai Merah, Komodo Island, Indonesia

Aside from being home to the world’s largest lizard (the Komodo dragon), Komodo Island in Indonesia is also home to Pantai Merah, a stunning pink-sand beach. The vast stretch of sand shows a gradient of pink hues, which are essentially a mixture of white and red sands teeming with microscopic rose-colored marine animals. Consider staying in Labuan Bajo and try the luxurious Ayana Komodo Waecicu Beach.

Spiaggia Rosa, Isola Budelli, Italy

The sands on Spiaggia Rosa, a pink-sand beach in Italy, are known to range in color from fuchsia to salmon. This idyllic stretch of beach is located on Isola Budelli, a small atoll off the northern coast of Sardinia. Fossils, crushed coral, and colored stones are responsible for the pink-sand beach, which is now off-limits because of a history of sand theft.

You can still enjoy plenty of breathtaking vistas (and pink walls the color of some of Spiaggia Rosa's sands) at the Hotel Cala di Volpe tucked into Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda region.

Pink Sands Beach, Harbour Island, Bahamas

On the east side of Harbour Island, located in the Bahamas, the beaches are famous for their pinkish tint. Foraminifera (a small sea creature with a reddish shell) is responsible for the hue. Visitors will also find incredibly clear waters, making the beaches on Harbour Island ideal for snorkeling and diving. Briland Club provides direct access to Pink Sand Beach and sprawling accommodations like oceanfront estates .

Pfeiffer Beach, Los Padres National Forest, California

While driving through California’s Big Sur, you'll discover both breathtaking mountain views as well as expansive blue seas — and the pink sands at Pfeiffer Beach. Thousands of years of quartz and manganese from nearby rock formations have given this beach an almost purple color. Note that the beach is currently closed due to the recent flooding that has affected the area. When it does reopen, consider booking a cliffside suite over the Pacific at the Post Ranch Inn if you you're staying in Big Sur overnight.

Playa de Ses Illetes, Formentera, Spain

On the Mediterranean island of Formentera, there is a peninsula called Es Trucadors. In addition to attracting a chic, upbeat crowd, this area also draws visitors who want to see white sands laced with pink pieces of coral. For a quiet retreat after a day on the beach, head to the small, family-owned Es Marès Hotel & Spa.

Tikehau, French Polynesia

This small atoll is known for its tranquil pink- and white-sand beaches, located a 55-minute flight from Tahiti. Less than 600 people call this atoll home, but what it lacks in people, it makes up for in abundant marine life. Stay at Le Tikehau by Pearl Resorts for access to the onsite pink-sand beach. The resort's beach bungalows are right on the shore with lagoon views.

Pink Beach, Bonaire

This tiny island in the southern Caribbean is known for its incredible diving and snorkeling, as well as its pretty pink-sand beach. Like several of the other picks on this list, Pink Beach gets its color from the crushed shells of foraminifera. Stay at the Bellafonte Luxury Oceanfront Hotel Bonaire for sweeping views and quiet, island luxury.

Horseshoe Bay Beach, Bermuda

With sparkling turquoise waters and a pink shore, Horseshoe Bay Beach is one of the most beautiful spots in Bermuda. Visit a nearby beach bar and take in the view with a classic Rum Swizzle cocktail. Or, enjoy the rosy sights whenever you want at The Reefs Resort & Club where you’ll glimpse pink sand and blue water from the balcony of your two-bedroom beachfront suite.

Pink Beach, Grande Santa Cruz Island, Philippines

The Philippines has tons of fantastic beaches with different colors of sand ranging from bright white to volcanic black. This small island in the southern Philippines is known for its unique pink coralline sand. Make Zamboanga your home base with a room at the Residencia Suites Hotel.

Crane Beach, Barbados

The Crane Resort, originally built in 1887, overlooks this Barbados beach and its crystal-blue waters. Oceanfront luxury comes to life in the resort's private villas, where you’ll have direct access to the beach.

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