8 pink-coloured attractions around the world every traveller should visit once

Let us be honest for a second. Crystal clear blue waters and pristine white beaches are definitely gorgeous, but they are also everywhere. If you are plotting your next big international getaway and want a backdrop that looks completely photoshopped, it is time to chase some serious color.

Thanks to some very bizarre and beautiful natural science, Mother Nature has painted a select few spots across the globe in brilliant shades of blush, magenta, and bubblegum pink. Some get their color from crushed red coral dust, while others rely on extreme salt-loving microbes.
If you want a vacation aesthetic that absolutely defies reality, here is your ultimate guide to the world's most surreal pink destinations.

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Harbour Island is a tiny, upscale Caribbean haven spreading three miles of pastel-colored shoreline. The blush tone comes from millions of crushed microscopic shells called foraminifera mixing perfectly with the powdery white quartz. Adding to the charm, the island is completely car-free, and you will find gorgeous New England-style Loyalist cottages dotting the historic Dunmore Town.

You can book a majestic horseback ride along the water at sunrise or dive deep to explore the vibrant offshore reefs. Once you dry off, rent a golf cart to cruise around the island, browse local art galleries, and grab a drink at one of the lively waterfront bars.

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You'll find Pantai Merah out in Komodo National Park, and the landscape there is almost jarring. The sand takes on a heavy pink hue because the waves constantly wash up tiny, crushed pieces of red organ pipe coral. What really stands out, though, isn't just the sand itself, it's how the pale pink shoreline crashes right up against bright blue water and the dry, yellowed savanna hills in the background.

If you grab some snorkel gear, the shallows are packed with sea turtles, clownfish, and blue-spotted stingrays. Once you're done in the water, a quick walk up the dirt hills gives you a great overhead view of the whole bay. From there, most people just jump back on a boat and head over to Manta Point to dive with the larger rays.

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Tucked away in the Maddalena Archipelago off the coast of Sardinia, this beach is an absolute masterpiece of nature. The rosy color originates from crushed seagrass microorganisms. It gained immense fame after appearing in the 1964 classic film "Red Desert." Today, it is famous for being one of the most fiercely protected beaches in Europe, completely closed off to foot traffic to preserve its delicate ecosystem.

Since you cannot physically step on the sand, the experience is all about exclusive observation. You can charter a sailboat from Palau to cruise through the stunning archipelago, dropping anchor at a safe distance to marvel at the pink shore framed by granite cliffs.

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Located on Middle Island in Western Australia, this lake looks like someone poured thousands of gallons of strawberry milk into the middle of a dense eucalyptus and paperbark forest. Unlike other colored lakes, Lake Hillier stays brilliantly bubblegum pink even if you scoop the water into a glass. The color is a permanent defense mechanism created by an extreme mix of salt-loving bacteria and algae.

The island is a pristine wilderness area, so the only way to experience it is from the sky. The aerial view provides an unbelievable contrast between the bright pink lake, the lush green forest canopy, and the deep blue waters of the Southern Ocean just a few meters away.

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This massive salt lake sits right alongside the Indian Ocean Drive in Western Australia. It is entirely unique because it functions as both a natural spectacle and a highly productive commercial microalgae farm. Depending on the season and the cloud cover, the massive water basins shift colors constantly, offering a mesmerizing patchwork of bright magenta, pale pink, and deep purple.

The area is highly interactive. You can drive directly up to the designated lookouts for a free photoshoot or take an adrenaline-pumping guided buggy tour across the surrounding sand dunes.

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Sitting at a breathless 13,000 feet in the remote Andean highlands, this shallow salt lake is an environment of pure extremes. The crimson water is framed by drifting snow and towering volcanic peaks. It serves as a vital sanctuary for three rare species of flamingos. The birds feast on the exact same algae that dye the water red, which is precisely how they get their famous pink feathers.

This is a rugged overland adventure. You will spend three to four days navigating the high-altitude desert in a 4x4 vehicle. Along the route to the lagoon, you can explore the mind-bending Uyuni salt flats, soak in natural thermal hot springs, and photograph active geyser basins blowing steam into the freezing mountain air.

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Situated on the Yucatan Peninsula, Las Coloradas is actually a sprawling industrial salt extraction facility that accidentally became a global sensation. The hypersaline evaporation ponds breed specific microorganisms that turn the water a radioactive shade of magenta. You will find towering mountains of pure white salt sitting right next to the brightly colored pools, creating a surreal, almost alien landscape.

You can join a highly structured walking tour to learn the fascinating science behind the salt mining process while snapping photos of the vibrant pools. Afterward, you can hire a local guide on a motorcycle to lead your vehicle down the road to the nearby turquoise lakes, where massive flocks of wild flamingos hang out and feed.

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