The Most Beautiful Pink Sand Beaches in the World

Pink sand beaches, which are rarely found in the world, fascinate everyone with the visual feast they create. Perhaps the reason why they are so attractive is that they surprise everyone who sees them because of their rarity. But have you ever thought about how these natural wonders turn pink? Is it because of millions of fragmented corals, or is it a trick of the light created by our eyes?

On Harbour Island in the Bahamas, the pink colour actually comes from foraminifera, a microscopic organism with a reddish pink shell, while the sand is a mixture of coral, shells and calcium carbonate. It sounds like a science project, but pink sand beaches are actually one of the most magical things we've ever seen.

Here's our list of nine pink sand beaches around the world, so you too can be mesmerised by pink sand beaches.

Elafonisi Beach - Crete Island, Greece

Elafonisi has all the amenities of a popular holiday beach, but its location away from the big cities gives it the feeling of a remote oasis. After swimming in the shallow waters, don't forget to walk along the beach to take photos of wildflowers and rock formations.

Horseshoe Bay - Bermuda

Even if you have access to the private beaches next to Bermuda's Horseshoe Bay, you'll probably visit here for a day and be charmed by the contrasts that emerge from the harmony of pink sand and turquoise sea.

Crane Beach - Barbados

Located on the rugged east coast of Barbados, Crane Beach's pink shoreline is surrounded by lush vegetation and turquoise waters. The beach is known for its boogie board-ready waves and luxury hotels where you can dry off after pulling up your beach chair.

Elbow Beach - Bermuda

Despite its stunning appearance, Elbow Beach is much quieter than other popular beaches in Bermuda. This means you can snorkel around the shipwrecks on the shore and relax on the coral-coloured sands without running into too many tourists.

Balos Bay - Crete, Greece

Balos Bay, another of Greece's most beautiful beaches, dazzles with its pinkish-white sands and shallow pools of bright blue saltwater. And if you're looking for a honeymoon destination, you'll be following in the royal footsteps of Prince Charles and Princess Diana.

Pink Sand Beach - Harbour Island, Bahamas

Harbour Island, which has the world's rare pink beach, is also known as one of the five best beaches in the world. With a coastline of approximately 3 kilometres, the beach is on the radar of social media. This beach, which is so beautiful that it is a dream, is flooded with tourists not only for its unique view, but also for its swimmable sea, colonial houses and excellent restaurants in the neighbourhood.

Playa de Ses Illetes, Formentera, Spain

Less crowded than Ibiza, Formentera is also home to the country's most elegant pink sand beach. Playa de Ses Illetes is recognised as one of the best beaches in Europe, with its fine, light pink sand

and deep blue sea surrounded by pine and vegetation. With boats and yachts available to hire for a full day, you can end your trip as you cross from Eivissa to Formentera, including a popular stop at Playa de Ses Illetes. You can also embark on a unique gastronomic journey by trying Ca Na Pepa for Italian food (15 minutes' drive from the beach) or Can Dani, the only Michelin-starred restaurant in Formentera.

Spiaggia Rosa - Budelli, Sardinia

Spiaggi Rosa Beach is one of the wonders of the world. However, the beach was closed to visitors by the Italian government in 1994, both to prevent the theft of pink sand and to prevent the degradation of this wonderful landscape. You can still admire the iconic beach from the neighbouring Spiaggia di Cavalieri, or you can enjoy this visual feast by following the Instagram account of Budelli's only resident and caretaker Michele Ardu.

Pink Beach - Komodo, Indonesia

As if seeing the komodo dragon that gives the island its name wasn't reason enough to visit, Komodo also has a beautiful pink sand beach. Between the coral-covered waters and the bright green hills in the distance, you are unlikely to find another holiday destination as natural as this one. The sea of this unique coast is also extremely safe for swimming and snorkelling.