The most beautiful beach I’ve ever seen

The unique colour of the sand at Pink Beach in Komodo National Park makes it one of the most beautiful beaches. There’s also amazing snorkelling.

Written by Michael Turtle

Michael Turtle is the founder of Time Travel Turtle. A journalist for more than 20 years, he's been travelling the world since 2011.

Michael Turtle is the founder of Time Travel Turtle and has been travelling full time for a decade.

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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.

Pink Beach, Kanawa Beach, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

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.

Pink Beach, Kanawa Beach, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

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.

Pink Beach, Kanawa Beach, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

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.

Pink Beach, Kanawa Beach, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

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.

Pink Beach, Kanawa Beach, Komodo National Park, Indonesia
Pink Beach, Kanawa Beach, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

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?

Pink Beach, Kanawa Beach, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

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.

Pink Beach, Kanawa Beach, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

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.

69 thoughts on “The most beautiful beach I’ve ever seen”

    • 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

      Reply
      • 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.

        Reply
    • 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.

      Reply
  1. 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.

    Reply
    • 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.

      Reply
    • 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! 🙂

      Reply
  2. 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. 🙂

    Reply
  3. 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.

    Reply
  4. 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.

    Reply
  5. 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!

    Reply

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