There are only a handful of these soft-hued destinations in the world and indeed, not all pink sand beaches are created equal; the pink saturation of the sand varies from place to place depending on its mineral composition.
We list six pastel paradises, including two in Asia, for those people who might be in need of a little pretty pink pick-me-up this summer.
1. Pink Beach, Komodo National Park, Indonesia
The billions of red and white coral specks give a unique blush tint to the coast of Pink Beach, Komodo Island, located in Indonesia’s archipelago.
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Pair your pink-toned photo shoot with open water swimming, diving or snorkelling with manta rays at the nearby Manta Point, or live it up at the only 5-star resort on Labuan Bajo’s Waecicu Beach, AYANA Komodo Resort.
2. Pink Beach, Great Santa Cruz Island, Zamboanga City, Philippines
Recognised in 2017 by National Geographic as one of the best beaches in the world, the Pink Beach on Great Santa Cruz Island is a short, blissfully blush getaway away from Hong Kong’s urban grey.
The uninhabited island is a 15-minute boat ride from Zamboanga City.
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Its pink coralline sand is made up of billions of pieces of crushed red organ-pipe coral from nearby reefs that the government and related departments have made efforts to preserve in recent years.
3. Kaihalulu Beach, Maui, Hawaii, United States
From Waianapanapa Beach’s black sand to Papakolea Beach’s rare olive green coast, Hawaii boasts wonderfully diverse natural compositions.
If pink sand is your game, there’s only one beach worth visiting in Hawaii: located just south of Hana Bay in Maui, Kaihalulu – “red sand” in Hawaiian – boasts a long coastline of deep reddish-pink hues.
Most 5-star resorts are on the other side of the island, in Wailea, but Travaasa Hana is a 4-star retreat in Hana Bay a short walk from Kaihalulu Beach.
4. Balos and Elafonisi, Crete, Greece
Thousands of tourists looking for Greek sun and sand flock to Elafonisi or Balos in Crete. Elafonisi Beach is renowned for its white sand but, at some angles, you can see a pinkish tint because of its fragments of broken coral.
The bright blue Balos Lagoon, also in Crete, features a similarly soft-pink hue in its sand, derived from decomposed seashells.
Besides pink beach hunting, Crete offers Knossos, Europe’s oldest city and archaeological site, as well as Spinalonga, the 16th century Venetian fortress, for historical tours.
5. Spiaggia Rosa, Budelli, Italy
Literally translated to “Pink Beach” this crushed coral cornucopia is deep in the Italian Mediterranean. The tourism department says “tiny fragments of coral, granite and shells” create Spiaggia Rosa’s iconic blush hues.
Budelli Island’s most famous beach has been dutifully protected by the Italian government since 1998.
Today, you can look – but you can’t touch.
Instead, you can admire the natural phenomena from nearby beaches Spiaggia del Cavaliere or Cala di Roto, or accompanied by guides of the Maddalena Archipelago National Park.
6. Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur, California, US
Big Sur is considered one of the most remarkable stretches of coastline in the world, with luxury hotels, famous restaurants and many outdoor activities on offer throughout its 90-mile (56km) stretch.
Although it’s a little off the beaten path, Pfeiffer Beach features patches of pinkish-purple sand created by manganese garnet washed down from the surrounding hills. The rock formations, particularly the keyhole rocks, are incredibly photogenic.
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