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If you haven't visited a pink sand beach before, you're missing out on a surreal experience with remarkable photo ops. Here are five pink sand beaches to visit.
Horseshoe Bay Beach, Bermuda
Bermuda has long been famous for its pink sand beaches. Bermuda's pink sand comes from a blend of crushed coral and calcium carbonate called red foraminifera. Your first stop must be one of the world's most famous pink sand beaches, Horseshoe Bay Beach, which is located on Bermuda's southern shore. This beach is located roughly 20 minutes from Hamilton, one of Bermuda's main cities.
In addition to beachcombing, singles, couples, and families can also enjoy volleyball and boogie-boarding. Horseshoe Bay also has hidden caves and coves that you can explore when you want to get away from your beach towel. One of the most exciting things about visiting and staying near Horseshoe Bay Beach is that you can walk the entire southern shore of Bermuda. The beach trails travel past Butts Beach, Water Rocks Beach, and Hidden Beach — all the way to Warwick Long Bay.
Crane Beach, Barbados
Whether you choose to visit Barbados on a Caribbean cruise or spend your whole summer vacation on the island, you can't miss a visit to the island's famous pink sand beach, Crane Beach. You might assume Crane Beach gets its name from the bird, but the real explanation is a little less interesting. A crane used for loading and unloading ships used to sit on the cliffs high above the beach.
Today, Crane Beach is home to a few resorts and has been favorite for visitors since the late 1800s. In fact, many media outlets consistently rank it is one of the best beaches in the Caribbean and the world and the television show, "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous," featured the beach multiple times in the 1980s and early 1990s. Crane Beach is located on the Atlantic Ocean side of Barbados, which has far more turbulent waters than the Caribbean side. The waves aren't quite as rough as some beaches further up the coast, but you should definitely take caution when swimming. Some strong swimmers and adventure seekers jump from the cliffs above the beach into the powerful waves below.
Pink Beach, Indonesia
Early summer is the perfect time to visit Indonesia since the rainy season is over. The Indonesian archipelago has more than 17,000 islands — many of which are uninhabited. Komodo Island is one of three islands that consist of Indonesia's Komodo National Park, which is home to the world's largest lizard — the Komodo dragon. While you relax on the island's spectacular Pink Beach, you might be lucky enough to spot some of the incredible wildlife that call Komodo Island home such as Timor deer and the orange-footed scrub fowl.
The coral reefs that give Pink Beach its rosy hue are home to more than 1,000 fish species. If you go snorkeling or scuba diving, you might encounter sharks, manta rays, multiple species of whales, dolphins, and sea turtles. The best way to visit Komodo Island is through Bali, where you can catch a flight to Labuan Bajo and take a speed boat to Komodo Island. Many choose to dock at the majestic Pink Beach to enjoy the view, but some dock on the other side of the island and trek through the jungle to the beach.
Harbour Island, The Bahamas
If you want to keep your summer vacation close to the United States, visit the pink sand beaches of Harbour Island in the Bahamas. Known as "Briland" to the locals, Harbour Island was once the capital of the Bahamas. The small island is only three miles long and one-half mile wide. Harbour Island's pink sands run along the entire length of the island — making it the perfect place to walk, run, or go horseback riding.
Harbour Island's only town, Dunmore, is famous for it's laid-back and picturesque streets with pastel-colored buildings. You can find small hotels in town, but large resorts dot the island's pink sand beaches. If you want access to more pink sand beaches, shopping, and fragrant pineapple fields, you can spend some time on Eleuthera, the Bahamas' fourth most populated island. Eleuthera is only one mile away from Harbour Island, which makes island-hopping both fun and easy.
Playa de Ses Illetes, Spain
If the thought of a warm, sunny European vacation ignites your wanderlust for summer travel, you need to visit the pink sands of Playa de Ses Illetes on the Spanish island of Formentera. This tiny corner of paradise is nestled in the Mediterranean Sea among Spain's Balearic Islands. The west side of the Ses Illetes is home to gorgeous pink sands that visitors enjoy year-round. More specifically, a gorgeous pink sand beach lies along the Trucador Peninsula that juts out on the north side of the island.
Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the sea and sand from El Trucador that rival the most exquisite tropical seascapes all over the world, but not all of those seascapes have sparkling pink sand. If you prefer more active beach vacations, you will love the fact that you can kiteboard, windboard, sail, and snorkel. Ses Illetes is perfect if you want low-key accommodations and little nightlife for a relaxing vacation. You can also visit Playa de Ses Illetes directly from Ibiza — the playground of the rich and famous, which is only about a 30-minute ferry ride away.