Pink Beach

Pink Beach runs along Bonaire's southern coast below the salt works, and the pink in the name comes from broken shell mixed through the coral sand, which reads clearly in low light and much less so at midday. The beach was stripped by hurricane surge decades ago and has rebuilt slowly since. Salt mountains stand white behind it and the reef starts a short swim out. Flamingos from the pans behind sometimes fly over the beach on their way between feeding grounds.

The landscape

• The pink cast - broken shell through the coral sand, clearest in low light.
• The salt mountains - the white works standing behind the shore.
• The reef - coral a short swim out from the beach.
• The open shore - a long strip with no development along it.

When to go

Year round on the leeward coast. Late afternoon shows the colour best. Weekends bring local visitors.

Practical notes

The pink is subtle and disappoints people expecting a strong colour. There is no shade and no facilities of any kind. The sand is coarse coral rather than soft.

Nearby

The salt pans are north, and Willemstoren is south.