Pink Beach, Indonesia
When the sun catches the sand, the beach glows. But it’s not a pure yellow radiance. Shining and shimmering in the Indonesian heat, the open beach blushes a shade of pink.
I’m here, far from civilisation on Komodo Island in the south of the country. It’s at least an hour by boat from the nearest town and the isolation means there are only one or two strangers sharing the sand.
A beach like this doesn’t need a fancy name. It is simply called ‘Pink Beach’, which says almost all you need to know.
It’s apparently one of only seven beaches in the world where the sand has this colour, a hue that’s caused by the red coral in the shallow waters. Small red grains mix with the normal grains of sand to produce the effect.
The coral is the highlight of the beach here. Not just because of the part it plays in the colour of the sand, but for the underwater landscape it creates for snorkelling.
The water, so clear, is like a window you can sink through to a world below the surface.
So many types of fish, so many colours of coral. It would be possible to spend hours exploring all that’s here.
It’s no great surprise to find that the waters of the Komodo National Park have some of the top diving spots in the world. It might not be the most famous place – but the real divers all know about it.
Kanawa Beach, Indonesia
Pink Beach is quite isolated. It has no infrastructure and, on the other side of the island, has thousands of man-eating Komodo dragons. It’s not the kind of place that’s too welcoming for an overnight stay.
A few boats that have slowly chugged over from the main island of Flores, bring travellers for an hour or two in the afternoon sun but then it’s time for them to leave again.
There is refuge nearby, though.
If you want to stay for more than the day, the best option is at Kanawa Beach. It’s closer to the Flores port town of Labuan Bajo and has accommodation and food. A bungalow will cost about US$30 a night for a single or US$40 for a double.
But even with the small resort built on the sand, it feels like you are cut off from everything here at Kanawa. Just look at this dining room: quite the view, right?
The swimming and snorkelling here is also some of the best you will ever discover in the world. And while you’re discovering it, you’ll probably even find Nemo hiding amongst the long waving corals underwater. The clear azure water reveals all.
These may not be the most beautiful beaches in the world. Who can truly judge such a subjective claim?
But I can’t think of any finer I’ve ever laid eyes on. Far from the crowds, out of sight from the typical tourist trail, it’s a little bit of paradise in Indonesia.
Time Travel Turtle was a guest of the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism but the opinions, over-written descriptions and bad jokes are his own.
Gorgeous! Indonesia is on the list to visit in the next few years… but first… the Phillipines!
Oh well… they’re close enough! 🙂
Komodo Islands are beautiful nothing to say but Raja Ampat in papua new guinea is far away more stunning that flores and Komodo. I travelled a lot in Indonesia, cause I live and work in bali since long time but when I went to Raja Ampat I couldn’t believe to my eyes… Under the water and on top of it. Pure paradise on earth. Few places in the world got beaches like that, Maldives and Polynesia are 2 of them but the diving is absolutely the best I ever seen in my all life. And the feeling to be in those islands, brings
you back to a pure primitive way of being
You’re so right! And I have been to Raja Ampat since I wrote this story so I can definitely see where you’re coming from. The water is so incredible there and there’s so much to when you’re snorkelling or diving. But, having said that, this beach is still pretty spectacular and I have never forgotten it.
Wonderful, if I go there I might not to leave! I’m aiming to go to Asia in 2013, will try to make it to Indonesia too!
Oh, you’ve got to do Indonesia. Especially now before it gets too busy! It’s got the best of everything.
I don´t appreciate such jaw dropping sandy photos on a grey rainy Monday morning in my office!
Ha ha… so, sorry. I thought perhaps it might be inspiration to plan the next trip! 🙂
This beach sounds amazing, although the “thousands of man eating dragons” could be a slight issue. Still.. you’ve got to take the rough with the smooth eh?
I don’t think the dragons are too near to this beach. None of the locals seemed too worried, and that’s always a good sign.
Yeah…wouldn’t mind tipping back a few here…
The only problem is that you’ll have to bring your own to the first one. The second beach (Kanawa) at least has a small restaurant.
Bold statement, but you may just be right. What a gorgeous find!
I’m sure it is not the most beautiful on the whole world… but there’s something about the isolation and lack of people that adds to the experience.
Wow dude, these photos are rocking! I’m in The Netherlands and it’s getting cold…must…stop…looking…at…beach….photos!
Those man-eating Komodo dragons sound interesting 😀
Sorry to rub it in. I find it’s easier just to change hemispheres based on the seasons 🙂
Looks deserted too! My kind of place. 🙂
That’s the best thing about it! (For now, at least…)
this place looks like heaven – I’ve seen a lot of nice Caribbean beaches but none of them were as beautiful as this one in Indonesia
From what I’ve heard about the Caribbean, most of the beaches there have been a bit too ‘touched’ by humans and tourism. The wonderful thing about this part of the world is that the beaches still feel so natural.
Looks beautiful…thanks for sharing!
My pleasure. I hope it brought a bit of sunshine to your day! 🙂
I’ll take that beach right now… or any beach 🙂
Yeah, any beach will do. But, you know, this might be one of the best options!
I loved Indonesia and I only made it to Sulawesi — can’t imagine how much more I would have loved it if I had made it here too!
I didn’t make it to Sulawesi so Indonesia is currently on my must-return-soon list. There are so many islands (17,000 or so) so it’s difficult to see it all in one trip!
Next time you go to Indonesia, make sure to go to Raja ampat in West Papua.. it’s a great place for snorkling and have a nice view of beach.. 🙂
That beach looks so good to me right now… it’s raining today and I would love to get some sun!
There’s nothing like a bit of rain to make you long for a beach like this…
I think you might be right! Awesome spot!
Check it out sometime. You won’t regret it!
It is going to be below freezing tonight and you show me this? I miss white sand beaches and warm weather 🙁
I’m sorry… 🙁
Is that a real star fish? Amazing!
Yeah, it’s real. And there were hundreds of them in the water just off the shore!
Great photo of that starfish!
The starfish had such amazing colour! They were stunning!
Wow, that beach is simply stunning! And the diving and snorkeling looks like it would just be amazing. Your photos just made this beach an addition to my travel bucket list.
I’ve never experienced snorkelling this good before in my life. People have tried to tell me there are some beaches that are as nice as this one in the Philippines, but the coral and the fish aren’t nearly as good.
lovely pics – definitely looks worth a visit!
Thanks! Hope you get there someday!
Amazing! I’m dreaming about going to Komodo Island now. I’m working on my scuba certification and hope to one day put it to good use among the red coral reefs.
Wow, if you’re an experienced diver, you will love this place. There are so many areas to explore. I met a few divers there and they all know it’s the best place on the planet – they just don’t want to tell everyone else! 🙂
Without a doubt, the most enjoyable place we went. For me that is! I still want to go back. Like, now.
Ha ha. How many hours (or days) could we have spent just lazing around those beaches? Sigh… one day we’ll return! 🙂
Wowzas! She’s quite the looker!
Tell me about it!
Fabulous Pink beach, gotta get my pink swimmers on!
Ha ha – then you would be completely camouflaged! 🙂
Pink Beach, it sounds appealing and it looks even more appealing, and surprisingly unpopulated.
It’s certainly quite unpopulated… but it’s not the easiest place to get to so that’s not too surprising.
I really like the picture with the bridge. That perspective is great as well as the water color. Not a beach person in general, not enough shade for me, but I do like pictures of beaches and beach-like things. 🙂
I know what you mean about the shade. I love going to a beautiful beach, admiring it, having a quick swim, then retreating to somewhere cool with a nice cold beer 🙂
Seriously gorgeous! Love that it’s so peaceful and untouristed as well.
That’s what makes it so good, I think. If it was full of people it would’ve lost a lot of its charm.
I’m Indonesian and I haven’t been. Not that I have to but it is on my list. I have to make this happen.
You definitely have to make it happen! It would be a great place for a quick getaway from the other parts of the country!
Shame about the problems in Kenya, Diani Beach is the best I have ever seen, white and so fine like sherbert and occasionally you see hundreds of small,white crabs, lovely.
Kanawa Beach looks great but I’ve heard bad things about the accommodation – expensive and very bad quality…Still mulling over whether to go or not.
Hi Michael, Great article. Thank you for sharing.
Regards Leonardus – floresexotictours.id
The water looks so clean there. Thought it was a big claim – but it is a really nice beach.
Wow what a sea of crystal clear water. It must be very relaxing to bathe in these waters and enjoy this true paradise.
Been working in Singapore for years my friends used to drive across malaysia,but i love indonesia feels like home to me!
If you take the starfish out of the water it will die. Retard
This Komodo National Park has lots of interesting things to see which nature serves.
Hopefully it will stay that way for many centuries.
Great post, Michael 🙂
Is that you holding the star fish? You must tat’s the wrong thing to do and a bad advert for tourism.
wow! What a nice view. I haven’t heard some place like this in Indonesia. I’ll include this on my list. Looking forward to more of this. Thank you.
wow! What a nice view. I’ve known Kanawa beach from a friend, though I haven’t been here but I could say this one is perfect. $40 is not bad for a night when you have this kind of view. Anyway, thank for sharing this. I’m looking forward to more of your articles.
Love this website! Great job. I am from Flores island and love reading blogs about the different places people are visiting. We recently started a tour company called Makai tours and we do many do Pink Beach Tours almost every week. If you happen to come back…please look us up and we would love to help you out!