Pictures of the most beautiful pink lagoons in the world

Have you ever seen a pink lagoon with your own eyes? These large expanses of water, displaying pink to bright pink hues, offer us spectacular landscapes, and seem to come straight out of a fairy tale. But how do we explain this natural phenomenon?

The pink lagoons are fantastic places for lovers of photography and of course Instagram. The contrast between the pink color of the water and the blue sky is visually impressive. Aerial photos, taken with drones, highlight the intensity of the colors even more.

Photo: Willian Justen de Vasconcellos / Unsplash

This phenomenon is of natural origin and occurs in waters with a high concentration of salt. There is an abundance of micro-organisms and micro-algae, such as Dunaliella salina, a species rich in carotenoid pigments. This seaweed is also one of the favorite dishes of the pink flamingo and gives it the color that characterizes it.

However, you should know that the pink color of these lagoons varies according to weather conditions. The more intense the solar luminosity, the brighter the pink will be. Clouds and precipitation can also affect how light reflects off water, and therefore, our perception of its color. So, before visiting a pink lagoon, check that the weather conditions are optimal for admiring the phenomenon.

Some lagoons have a powdery pink color, while others have a tent that would almost pull on bright red. This can be explained by various factors such as the concentration of algae or the salinity levels of the water. For these same reasons, color differences can be observed in the same lagoon, from one day to another.

These little pink paradises are distinguished both by their natural beauty and by their rarity. Indeed, there are very few in the world, and some are very difficult to access.

So, where are these famous pink lagoons located? Although few in number, there are actually some in the four corners of the planet. And some might even be closer than you thought. Without further ado, embark with us for a world tour of the pink lagoons!

In the north of the state of Yucatán, Las Coloradas is a small town of 1000 inhabitants, which attracts thousands of tourists each year due to its pink waters. Located in the heart of the Rio Lagartos natural park, this sumptuous salt marsh extends over 2,300 hectares and is home to many species of pink flamingos.

A true treasure of nature, the pink lake of Torrevieja is one of the most attractive places in the region of Alicante, Spain. This breathtaking landscape extends over 1,400 hectares. Moreover, it is in this lake that nearly 800,000 tonnes of salt are extracted per year, making it the most productive salt marsh in Europe.

Let's go to the Camargue, in the south of France, to discover the salt marshes of Aigues-Mortes. This site is above all exploited for its salt, and it is therefore not possible to visit it in its entirety, but you can still go to the southern saltworks. To be able to observe its pink color, it is best to go there in the month of June when all the weather conditions are optimal.

In Australia, Lake Hillier is the most pronounced pink salt lake in the world. Its color is of such intensity that it seems almost surreal. The lake is difficult to access on the Middle Island, few tourists have the chance to appreciate its color. If you ever want to see this lake with your own eyes, you will either have to fly over it or take a 5-hour boat trip, which will cost you more than $250 per person.

Near the Salar de Uyuni, in the Sud Lipez, Bolivia is home to several colorful lakes of nameless beauty. One of these lagoons has the particularity of being deep pink, sometimes red depending on the light. This 6,000-hectare lake offers a magnificent visual spectacle: the color of the water contrasts with a deep blue sky and ochre mountains in the background. The Laguna Colorada is also home to colonies of pink flamingos, making visitors' photos all the more unique.

To observe the pink color of Lake Retba, you have to go about twenty kilometers north of Dakar, preferably during the dry season, between November and June. The main activity of this site is the harvesting of salt which allows thousands of workers to earn a living.

Now let's fly to the Balearic Islands, heading to the Ses Salines Natural Park, straddling the islands of Formentera and Ibiza. This protected site is rich in incredible biodiversity. In addition to its crystal clear waters and bright emerald green pools, it has mesmerizing pink salt marshes.

The second largest lake in Turkey, Lake Tuz literally means "salt lake" in Turkish (Tuz Gölü). It is so shallow and its salinity is so high that its water evaporates almost entirely in summer. It then looks like a salt desert.

Let's return to Spain to end our trip in style at the Salinas y Arenales de San Pedro Regional Park, in the region of Murcia. On foot or by bike, this natural park offers you breathtaking rides, with the blue sea on one side and the deep pink salt flats on the other. Sensational!