7 Must-Visit Pink Sand Beaches
Ready to be dazzled by pink sand? Discover the best pink sand beaches in the Caribbean, Bermuda, The Bahamas, Crete, Costa Rica and Indonesia.
By Candyce H. Stapen | Published on August 12, 2025
Pink sand beaches rate among the world's most stunning strands, with breathtaking shades ranging from vivid pink to rosy beige to subtle champagne. While the colors may look unnatural or photos may appear edited, their hues derive primarily from marine critters' shells. When foraminifera, single-cell marine organisms die, their reddish shells wash ashore, mixing with the white sands to create stunning pink tints. To experience the most vivid colors, visit early in the day or late in the afternoon when the light is less intense and the bright sun doesn't reflect as strongly on the sand.
Where can you find pink sand beaches? Look for them in unforgettable locales worldwide. From the descriptively named Pink Sand Beach in The Bahamas to Balos Beach in Crete, Greece, these beaches are sure to be a highlight of your port day. Read on to discover beautiful rosy strands in the Caribbean, Bermuda, The Bahamas, Crete, Costa Rica and Indonesia, as well as information on how to reach them from port.
1. Horseshoe Bay Beach, Bermuda
A picture-perfect swath of golden pink curving sands, Horseshoe Bay Beach is one of the best pink sand beaches in Bermuda. Calm turquoise waters lap the sands that stretch for over 1,000 feet on Bermuda's southwest shore. A day at Horseshoe Bay comes with all the amenities, including a beach bar, lifeguards, lockers and bathrooms. You can also rent chairs, umbrellas, boogie boards and snorkeling gear. When I visited with my family, the available perks and rentals made it easy for us to savor the sun, sand and sea. All we needed to bring were towels!
The closest port to Horseshoe Bay Beach is Royal Naval Dockyard — which can be found as a stop on many Bermudian itineraries. To reach Horseshoe Bay Beach from the Royal Naval Dockyard, board the ship's shuttle bus or take a taxi for the 30-minute ride.
2. Pink Sand Beach, The Bahamas
This aptly named strand on Harbour Island is one of the most breathtaking pink sand beaches in The Bahamas. Three miles of seductive coral-colored sand glisten on the 50 to 100-foot wide stretch of shore graced by blue-green seas and calm waters.
Part of The Bahamas' Out Islands, both Harbour Island and nearby Eleuthera can be reached by ferries from the cruise port in Nassau. On select days, Bahamas Ferries in Nassau offers direct roundtrip service to Harbour Island. Each one-way leg takes two hours and 45 minutes, so consider maximizing your beach time by boarding a 15-minute flight from Nassau to North Eleuthera Airport. From there, it's a 1.5-mile taxi ride to a five-minute ferry that crosses the channel to Harbour Island's Government Dock. It's a trek to get there, so it's best visited if you're in Nassau before or after your cruise. Taxis and golf carts are available on Harbour Island.
3. Crane Beach, Barbados
In Barbados, Crane Beach garners praise for its setting of palm trees and pinkish-beige sands accessed at the base of a cliff. Take the stairs — nearly 100 — or ride the glass elevator to the pink sand beach. Situated on the Atlantic, Crane Beach's surf is typically rough and can have undercurrents. I've found that the best way to enjoy this swim-at-your-own-risk beach is to keep close to shore. Take an exhilarating walk along the beach with just your toes in the water, or relax on a lounge chair (rentals available) and savor the scenery, the breezes, the seabirds and the rhythmic waves. Nearby, a beach bar serves drinks and food — so kick back and enjoy the sun with a beverage in hand!
If you're longing to cruise to Barbados and walk along the pink shores, book a southern Caribbean cruise and hop off the ship in Bridgetown. To reach Crane Beach, about 45 minutes from the Bridgetown Harbour dock, hail a taxi or book a rental car.
4. 17-Mile Beach, Barbuda
Although gorgeous beaches abound on the twin island nation of Antigua and Barbuda, pink sand aficionados shouldn't miss Barbuda's striking beaches, especially 17-Mile Beach, one of the most beautiful pink sand beaches in the Caribbean. Rosy foraminifera shells brought by the tides lace the shore with ribbons of pink. While my children were tempted to bring home a handful of shells, our guide reminded us that doing so not only depletes the beach's beauty but is also against the law.
Little-populated Barbuda gifts you with a glimpse of what the Caribbean looked like long before development, but that also means you'll want to book services ahead. Barbuda Express operates a 90-minute ferry from Antigua's St. John's Harbour, where your ship will dock. Ask your guide about swimming conditions as the sea might have undercurrents.
5. Balos Beach, Crete
Located on Crete's Gramvousa peninsula, Balos Beach is a setting unlike any other. A shallow turquoise lagoon cradles subtle pinkish sands edged by rocky cliffs. You might even see some goats dotting the cliff face.
From the port in Chania, the drive to Balos is about 1.5 hours, followed by a 30-minute hike to the shore. You can avoid the hike and rocky roads by taking a boat. From Kissamos, consider the shortest boat rides to the beach — a 40-minute speed boat connection or a half-day tour with an outfitter. The standard ferry from Kissamos takes 80 minutes each way. You can likely book a round-trip package with a 5.5- to seven-hour tour including a stop at a Venetian castle. Choose the transportation that best fits your style and port schedule.
