Caribbean Pink Sand Beach: Top 5 Unique Places To Visit

The Caribbean might be famous for those miles and miles of fine ivory beaches that beautifully contrast turquoise waters, but there’s more to see and marvel at in this tropical paradise. Case in point: You can find that Caribbean pink sand beach on more than one island in the region. 

Check out the top pink-tinged beaches you must visit in the Caribbean if you’re looking for a unique and rosy getaway.

What Makes Pink Sand Beaches? 

There’s something tender and romantic in pink-colored coastlines. But have you ever asked yourself, “Why is pink beach pink?”

What makes pink sand beaches pink? They have that color primarily because of foraminifera, which are single-celled red-shelled marine organisms that thrive under coral reefs. Once they reach the end of their lifespan, their shells fall to the bottom, get crushed, and then mixed with the sand.

Over time, the mixture gets carried to the shore by the waves. The red turns pink as it gets bleached by the sun.

5 Caribbean Pink Sand Beaches You Need To See

Want to revel in the beauty of and dip your toes into a Caribbean pink sand beach? We’ve listed the five best pink beaches in the region for you to visit. 

#1 Pink Sands Beach, Harbour Island, Bahamas

Harbour Island is one of the smaller islands that make up the Bahamas. Vacations frequently visit this corner of the Caribbean because of its famously known Pink Sand Beach Bahamas. The beach stretches out for three miles and boasts shallow, gentle waters.

How To Get There

If you’re staying at a resort in the Bahamian capital of Nassau (e.g., Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore Island), you can get a flight from the city and land at North Eleuthera airport within half an hour. From there, you must travel to a ferry dock (usually via taxi) and ride a boat to get to the island. Direct flights from Fort Lauderdale or Miami, Florida are also available.

Must Do

Since it’s not as crowded as other Caribbean beaches, you can fully enjoy sunbathing and swimming there. You can also go snorkeling to meet its marine life. Simply rent a golf cart, and you can already explore the tiny island.

#2 Horseshoe Bay Beach, Bermuda

Marvelous rock formations on its endpoints mark the crescent-shaped Horseshoe Bay in Bermuda. The sand of this beach is pale pink in color, and its waters have relaxing aquamarine hues. 

How To Get There

Bermuda has a large cruise port known as Dockyard. If you’re visiting the country by cruise ship, this is where you’ll dock. Once there, you can take a minibus, shuttle, or taxi to Horseshoe Bay Beach.

Must Do

The public beach has several chairs and umbrellas for daily rental. You can swim in the calmer parts of the beach or take countless photographs of its waters and limestone cliffs. If you want to walk further, go to the eastern side, and you will soon hit Butt’s Beach. This beach has a naturally made pool for some relaxing wading and floating. 

#3 Pink Beach, Bonaire

Bonaire’s Pink Beach is quiet and quintessentially Caribbean, thanks to its azure waters and swaying palm trees. The island stands out from other beaches in the region because of its rose-tinted strip of sand (much of its shore was washed away by a hurricane that hit the island back in the ‘90s).

How To Get There

Pink Beach is located outside the capital port of Kralendijk. As it is a remote beach, travelers are advised to hire a taxi for a round-trip transport service.

Must Do

Nature surrounds this pink beach. When you snorkel on this beach, you’ll get up close and personal with its bustling marine life. It’s home to several species of fish (scorpion fish and porcupine fish, to name a few) and some sea turtles. It’s also one of the best diving sites in all of Bonaire.

#4 Crane Beach, Barbados

The famous and spectacular Crane Beach at the south coast of Barbados.

Spectacularly pink, this beach with foamy surf in Barbados is located in St. Philip, a parish on the island’s southeast coast. Though Crane Beach is found at the foot of the cliff of a beach hotel by the same name, it’s open to the public — like any other beach in Barbados. 

How To Get There

The public entrance of Crane Beach can be found at the end of a narrow road leading to the southern point of the beach. You can rent a car and drive there (there’s a car parking facility in the area). Take a short walk, and that refreshing Caribbean by-the-beach air will greet you. 

Must Do

Because the beach is protected by a coral reef, it is considered ideal for swimming. You can also up your adventure by trying boogie boarding (a fancier term for bodyboarding) or go hiking on its rocky outcroppings. Chairs and umbrellas are available for rent at the nearby resort.

#5 Pink Sand Beach, Antigua and Barbuda

Caribbean beach in Antigua &

Antigua and Barbuda is a country composed of two namesake main islands and a few smaller ones. You can find the territory’s very own Caribbean Pink Sand Beach on the island of Barbuda. Though only seasonally pink (typically from October to January), it’s a paradise well worth your visit. Because the island itself is less commercialized than its peers, you’ll have a quiet retreat in the tropics. 

How To Get There

Many who go to this country book accommodation in Antigua because it’s a more developed island. You can take a day trip to the pink sand beach via the Barbuda Express Ferry (about 90 minutes), located in St. John, the country’s capital. If you’re wondering if there’s a near-the-harbor-and-pink sand beaches all-inclusive resort, Sandals Grande Antigua is highly recommended (it’s only a 10-minute ride from the harbor).

Must Do

The beach, located on Barbuda’s southern shore, is great for snorkeling. Nearby tourist spots include the Frigate Bird Sanctuary, home to an estimated 100,000 birds.

About The Author
Randell
Randell was born in an island nation and is a creature of the water and sun. Aside from amazing Caribbean destinations, he is also fascinated with the region's food, history, culture, and adventures it offers.

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