Sun, sand and the sea are the main ingredients for a beach vacation. But for many discerning travelers seeking the rare and unique, the ordinary just doesn’t quite make the cut. From the US and the Caribbean to Europe, Southeast Asia, and back again, alluring candyfloss-colored coasts are peppered across the globe. These dreamy shorelines – which are often the result of coral and shell fragments – combine with turquoise waters to produce heavenly colors that fall nothing short of a photographer’s dream.
What’s more, these powder-pink stretches present even more opportunities – be it swimming, snorkeling, diving, or exploring nearby towns, tourist spots, and hidden gems. Sounds irresistible, doesn’t it? So, where should you go for your next pink beach vacation?
11 Elafonissi Beach, Crete, Greece
The Greek islands offer some of Europe's most stunning beaches. Elafonissi Beach, Crete, is where rose-hued sands clash beautifully with turquoise waters. With its unbelievable candy colors and some of the softest sands along the Mediterranean Sea, it’s no surprise that this Instagram-worthy treasure has become a must-see. This picturesque spot dotted with inviting lagoons allows visitors to wade through its crystal warm waters to the mainland when the tide is low. And, as it’s a protected area, its beauty is well-preserved and will remain protected for all to enjoy. Hold onto your sunhat though – it can be windy sometimes.
10 Pfeiffer Beach, California, USA
With its roaring blue seas, pastel-tinted sands, and a breathtaking backdrop of mighty mountains, California’s Pfeiffer Beach – sitting within Pfeiffer State Park in the famous Big Sur – is among the state’s most sensational spots for beach bums, nature-lovers, and adventurers alike. Towering rocks and boulders decorate the area – the most stunning of which is said to be Keyhole Rock with its jaw-dropping arch formed by millennia of powerful waves. Swimming can be off the cards here due to fierce currents and vigorous waves, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do. Laze on the pink and purple sand that gets its hue from thousands of years of manganese and quartz from nearby rock formations, or explore the natural caves along this rugged coastline. And come sunset, the place to be is Keyhole Rock – be sure to have your camera ready!
Related: These Are California's Best Beaches, According To Your Favorite Beach Activity
9 Pink Beach, Komodo, Indonesia
When you're not busy searching for the legendary Komodo dragon, or diving in some of the world's richest and bio-diverse waters, you might find yourself lazing on the pastel-painted sands of this impossibly beautiful beach. What makes this uninhabited gem so scenic is the intense blue waters teeming with reef life, and the vibrant green hills rolling in the distance.
8 Horseshoe Bay Beach, Bermuda
Located in South Shore Park, this is one of the most photographed beaches in Bermuda. Decorated by limestone rocks and cliffs, the crystalline turquoise waters and rosy pink sands make for the perfect postcard. Plus, there are beach and water sports gear rentals on offer for those seeking action. From snorkel equipment and boogie boards to volleyball and football, there's something for every beachgoer. Several festivals are hosted on-site here annually too!
7 Elbow Beach, Bermuda
It's hard to believe that Elbow Beach is on the less-crowded side despite its mesmerizing beauty. Beachgoers seeking a quieter beach day away from the hustle and bustle will appreciate this stunning stretch of sun, sand, and sea. Here, aside from swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying the pink powdery sand, visitors can grab some snorkel gear and explore the off-shore shipwrecks!
6 Grande Santa Cruz Island, The Philippines
Known for its warm hospitality, rich reefs, dense jungles, and untouched islands (of which there are 7,640!) the Philippines is becoming a preferred destination for tourists who seek diversity. Each of the islands in this pristine archipelago boasts its own sandy hues ranging from brilliant white to volcanic black. However, this tiny island in the nation's south has earned a special place on the map thanks to its beaming pink soft sands that blend beautifully with the warm, shallow turquoise ocean.
5 Balos Bay, Crete, Greece
Another pink paradise on the gorgeous Greek island of Crete is Balos Bay, with its pink and white mixed sands that resemble a delicious strawberry cream dessert. Shallow pools of glistening blue water here make for some relaxing swimming while the sumptuous sunbeams warm your salty skin. This magical location even attracted the attention of honeymooning royalty — Prince Charles and Princess Diana reportedly visited this rosy beach after their wedding in 1981.
4 Pink Sands Beach, Harbour Island, Bahamas
Amongst the most famous of the world's pink beaches is on the three-mile-long Harbour Island — an Instagram picture paradise that beckons travelers from around the globe who flock to frolic on its colorful sands, and bask in crystal clear water ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and diving. The soft sands get their raspberry hue from a small sea-dweller called Foraminifera, which has a red-tinted shell. Guests can also enjoy the area's cultural colonial cottages and superb restaurants. And, situated right on the beach is the luxurious Pink Sands Resort — offering beachgoers uninterrupted ocean panoramas.
3 Pink Sand Beach, Barbuda
North of Antigua rests Barbuda — a stunning Caribbean island with 17 miles of candy, sandy shoreline. Visitors here love swimming and snorkeling in the warm tropical waters in between sculpting vibrant pink sandcastles and deflating under the Caribbean sun. If all that lazing on the beach is too much hard work, there's plenty of other fun shenanigans you can get up to. Why not gawk at some of the 100,000 beautiful birds at the Frigate Bird Sanctuary? Or if you're feeling adventurous, you can try your hand at cave exploration — one even boasts its own tropical rainforest!
2 Tikehau, Tahiti, French Polynesia
Apart from promising sublime diving, snorkeling, and kayaking, Tikehau's pink beaches offer divine views along with an oval-shaped, brilliant emerald lagoon. Tucked just an hour away by plane from Tahiti's capital of Papeete, this tempting lagoon is home to a wealth of unbelievable creatures, including grey reef sharks, turtles, eagle rays, and even dolphins!
1 Crane Beach, Barbados
Endlessly said to be one of the world's best beaches that never fails to draw in the rich and famous, the palm-fringed Crane Beach — with its epic waves, pinkish sands, and lush tropical greenery — is the postcard-perfect paradise that the Caribbean is rightfully renowned for. Whether you're there to lounge on sunbeds with a cocktail in hand, or grab a boogie board and ride the action-packed waves, this world-famous gem is sure to impress every kind of discerning traveler. For sweeping cliffside views overlooking the entire beach, guests can visit or stay at the luxurious Crane Resort — the oldest and longest continuously operating hotel in the whole Caribbean.