Tick It Before You Kick It

Pink Beach in Komodo - How to Visit My Favorite Beach!

• Alexandra Lauren | The Bucket List Mermaid • Season 1 • Episode 33

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While scrolling through Instagram, you've probably seen those dreamy shorelines where blush-colored sands meet crystal-clear turquoise waters – Komodo National Park's famous pink beach. 

READ THE ENTIRE GUIDE 👉 https://thebucketlistmermaid.com/pink-beach-komodo/

🏖️Having visited pink beaches worldwide, I can make a bold claim: this remote Indonesian paradise houses what might be the most spectacular beach on Earth.

Let's chat about: 

  • What makes the sand pink
  • How many pink sand beaches does Komodo have?
  • How to get there
  • Things to do
  • Best tours
  • Best time to visit
  • Packing list
  • Being realistic
  • Editing tips for your photos
  • More!  

🌴💗Ready for your own pink beach adventure? 

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Speaker 1:

with all. Oh my gosh, just amazing. Please just go, just stop listening to this podcast and just go. Hello, adventurers, and welcome back to another episode of Take it Before you Kick it, the podcast that helps you check off your wildest bucket list experiences. And today we're headed to one of the most jaw-dropping places on earth, which is Komodo National Park in Indonesia, to explore something truly magical pink beaches Yep, you heard that right Pink sand beaches. If you've ever scrolled through Instagram and stumbled upon this dreamy shoreline with those blush-colored sands meeting crystal clear blue, turquoise waters, chances are it was probably one of Komodo's famous pink beaches.

Speaker 1:

But what makes a sand pink? What are the best spots to see this natural wonder? What can you do once you are there? Well, I've got you covered and I'm gonna say something wild, because I have been to multiple pink beaches around the world and these beaches specifically, one is hands down the best beach I have ever been to and probably will ever go to in my lifetime.

Speaker 1:

So before we dive into the best pink beaches and the things to do, let's talk about the burning question why is the sand pink? So the answer actually lies in a tiny marine organism called oh, this is going to be rough Foraminifera Foraminifera I'm going to go with that. Basically, these are microscopic creatures that produce a red or pink pigment in their shells, which mixes with the white sand when they die and over time, the coral fragments, the shells and the calcium carbonate from the marine life blend together to create this iconic soft pink hue. The result A beach that is straight out of a fairy tale, and it's very unique. I mean, how many people can you actually talk to and they say that they've been to a pink sand beach? Everyone goes to a normal beach, pink sand. Nah, they're rare. In fact, I've been trying to figure this out, but I think there are only 15 pink sand beaches in 11 countries. They're so rare Again due to those tiny marine organisms known as the foraminifera, which have red shells and the pink shells that are rich in calcium carbonate. Are you ready for the quiz later, because there's going to be a test? I'm just kidding, totally kidding.

Speaker 1:

So let's talk about the pink beaches in Komodo National Park. Now let's get one thing straight. Everyone just says the pink beach in Komodo Island. However, there are multiple, but it's very confusing. The main ones well, actually, the main one that everybody is referring to is literally called Pink Beach.

Speaker 1:

This is known as Pentai Mara and this is the most famous one. It's located on Komodo Island. It's the most well-known and the most accessible Pink Beach. It's a must visit because of its popularity. You might see other people. I saw like two so crowded takes on a new definition here, but you might see another person maybe and the other one is Long Beach on Padar Island. This is more of a hidden gem and it has a softer pink hue, although this is up to interpretation, because some people are like it's more vibrant and some people are like, oh no, it's not. It's actually softer and I don't know. Personally, I've seen both and I think I was a little bit further away on Long Beach when I hiked Padar. So I personally think that the main one, the Pink Beach, that Pentai Mara definitely had a richer pink hue. In my opinion, however, padar Island this one is a fantastic spot for snorkeling, and I've also heard the locals refer to this as Nammo Beach.

Speaker 1:

If you're wondering why I sound so confused, it's because this whole thing is very confusing. There's a lot of conflicting and confusing information. Some say that that's the only two pink beaches, while others claim that there are several. Make up your minds. Personally, I took a tour. They took me to Pentai Mara, and I also saw the one on Padar. So those are the only two ones that I'm going to talk about, because those are the only two that I know for sure exist. So we're on the same page. I'm just going to refer to Pentai Mara as the pink beach, because that's how everyone refers to it and so that I don't continue to botch the pronunciation of that and embarrass myself. Thank you.

Speaker 1:

So how do you get to this pink beach? It's not very simple. The pink beaches in Komodo National Park are very remote and they're very hard to get to, but, honestly, that's just what makes them even more beautiful and because of this, it makes them a hundred percent worth it. As I said, I have been to pink beaches all over the world. The other one that comes to my mind is I went to a pink beach in Bermuda and this beach you would take a transfer or a taxi cab from the cruise ship and it was nice. You could see the pink hue. The water was so turquoise and so beautiful. However, the only thing was it was very crowded, and, comparing that to this, I would way rather go through the extra effort to go to this beach, where it's totally remote and you only see, like a couple other travelers. I would take that any day of the week.

Speaker 1:

As I said, bold claim. I think that pink beach really gets my golden trophy for the best beach in the world. Ooh, that's a bold statement. Do you agree with me? Tell me if you agree with me, maybe People who have been there? Anyway, I do have the show notes of this and in those show notes I actually linked a little map and you can actually see both of them the one on the Pentai Mara, normal Pink Beach and then the pink beach on Padar Island, so you can go check it out.

Speaker 1:

But basically how you would get here is that you would fly to this place called Labuan Bajo, which again, I'm pretty sure that's how you pronounce that it's a small town on Flores Island and this is basically the gateway to Komodo National Park. Most trips pick up from this Labuan Bajo and you would basically hop on a boat, hop on a speedboat, hop on a liverboard tour and explore this. You would either do a day trip or a multi-day trip, boat adventure, and this is pretty much the only way to get here. This place is so remote. When I went, I ended up flying into Lombok, doing a little sightseeing there, and then I went to La Buen Bajo, I went to the Komodo Islands and it was literally just a bunch of us sleeping on mats on the top level of a liveaboard ship for just days. I will definitely link which tour I took in the show notes if you want to check it out.

Speaker 1:

I loved it. Some people did not. Some people were like get me back to Bali. This is so remote and adventurous, and I was not one of them. I absolutely loved every single second of this tour.

Speaker 1:

But I can see why. You kind of have to take a tour in order to go see these beaches and it has to be like a multi-day tour or maybe a day tour. But I'm not sure. If you did a day tour, I'm not actually sure that they would take you to the Pink Beach anyway. So what I would recommend is just bite the bullet, do a multi-day liveaboard. There's so much to do here and it's such a fantastic destination for adventurers. You will not be disappointed, trust me. It's incredible.

Speaker 1:

However, when you are picking a tour, check what costs are covered, because visiting the Pink Beach means that you are entering Komodo National Park, which does require a national park permit. Fees vary and additional costs may apply for activities like snorkeling and diving, and it's best to check in advance and bring enough cash, as some fees are paid on site. When I booked my tour, this was news to me because all fees were covered and paid for. So it's just about reading the fine print, communicating with your tour group and just making sure you're getting what you want and there's no hidden fees anywhere. Now, as I said, if all of that sounds terrible to you and you don't want to do all that research, I actually did all that research for you and I've linked a bunch of multi-day tours that include the Pink Sand Beach in the show notes. So go check that out, book it through that link and all the hard work is done for you. All that is left to do is for you to go relax on an idyllic and remote Pink Sand Beach.

Speaker 1:

What is better than that, people? Let's be honest. So what is the best time to visit the pink sand beach? So around April to October is the dry season. This is great visibility for diving and snorkeling, but there are more tourists From November to March. That is the rainy season fewer crowds and you might get the occasional storm.

Speaker 1:

The best time to see a pink beach in Indonesia is the dry season from April to October. During this time, the skies are clear, the waters are calm and the sunlight also enhances the pink hues of the sand, making them appear more vibrant. The midday does offer the best visibility when the sun is high, because it illuminates the coral fragments that give the sand its signature blush color. However, if you're after that like golden hour glow for photography, sunrise and sunset might create a more like softer, ethereal pink tone, but I would suggest this for advanced photographers only, and only ones that have the best gear, because in order to pull out that pink hue, you're going to need to do a lot of editing and a lot of camera maneuvering. Now, the rainy season, from like November to March, does see fewer tourists, and I did read that it can produce a more intense pink color due to the moisture rich sand. However, there's like unpredictable storms, and the rougher waters can make access trickier. Personally, I visited during the dry season and it was fine, it was gorgeous, it was amazing.

Speaker 1:

For the ultimate experience, maybe plan your visit around like April, may, between then and September, when the weather is ideal, and then also when marine life is at its peak, in case you want to do some snorkeling and diving. I have to mention that because I run a travel blog as a mermaid. If you don't believe me, go check it out, it's a thing. So what to pack when you are going to a Komodo pink sand beach? I would definitely do sun protection hat, sunglasses and reef safe sunscreen. Don't just do any normal sunscreen. We want to preserve the beauty of this place. Sustainable travel let's go. Also, maybe consider bringing some snorkel gear if it's not provided by your tour.

Speaker 1:

I didn't get this opportunity and I really wish I would have, and I was literally just sitting on this beach thinking, oh, I want to go in the water, I want to do it. And also maybe consider like a waterproof camera or a phone case so you can get those epic beach shots. I would also bring some cash, maybe for some park fees if you need to, and tips, because there's nothing here. So no ATMs, they are not here, it's literally just a beach on an island. Again, can it get better than that? No, it can't. And some light clothing and a swimsuit, because it does get hot. And I would check with your tour because when I went to the Pink Beach we couldn't get the actual liveaboard close to the beach, so we had to take this little tiny boat and I ended up just like jumping out of the tiny boat because I was like, okay, I'm just going to swim, and they were like go for it, so just make sure that everything is waterproof If you are going. They might have a better way to get you to the pink sand beach, but as it literally just imagine that this is a beach, an island, a small trail and not much else, and that's the main pink beach. The Padar Island Beach is like even more remote, so you're really roughing it here, and that is the beauty of this. Now, things to do at a pink beach Again, I have to just mention the snorkeling and the diving.

Speaker 1:

When I was there, I swam with manta rays and turtles and there was vibrant coral reefs. The best diving is during the dry season, and some actually claim that it's April because it's right at the start of the dry season, but there's still a chance to see some manta rays. And again, if you don't have snorkel gear, your tour doesn't provide snorkel gear. Get your own snorkel gear. If you are interested in going underneath the water which you should be, because this place is beautiful above the water and underneath it I would also recommend doing some hiking.

Speaker 1:

There was a short hike on the Pink Beach itself and I did go up and I did snap a picture which you can see it in the show notes and it was really funny because nobody told me that it was like kind of. It was kind of a climb. It was a short climb but I was just wearing sandals so I was not prepared for the hike on the actual pink beach. I did climb Padar Island, which is where the other pink beach is, and oh my gosh, I can't really describe what that hike is like. I think it's like my favorite hike in all of Indonesia. You get a view of the entire island and our guide was so funny they called it the fidget spinner, because it's literally a pink beach, a white beach and a black beach on each side of the island and it looks like a huge fidget spinner. Such a unique place. The photos are unreal. I went there during sunset. It was just oh, it was magical Chef's kiss.

Speaker 1:

Another thing you can do while you are there is obviously Komodo Dragons Always go with a guide. Komodo Dragons. I will give you three guesses on why this is called Komodo National Park. Did you guess yet? Because there's Komodo dragons and they're here. They are. Actually, it's so funny because I am a Colorado native and at the Denver Zoo, which I went to growing up all the time, there's this whole little section for Komodo dragons and there's this whole wall and they have like one Komodo dragon and there's this whole wall telling you just about these Komodo islands in Indonesia and how that this is the only place where you can actually see them in their natural habitat. And it was so funny coming here and then going to the Denver Zoo and reading and being like, oh my gosh, I was there. I actually saw that it's the only place. So if you do see a Komodo dragon somewhere else, you know that it was stolen from here, which is terrible. Don't do that.

Speaker 1:

Anyway, you can also go kayaking, paddle boarding, gliding over those turquoise water for a peaceful adventure. You can also go sunset chasing Komodo. Sunsets are unreal, especially from beaches or on a boat. As I said, I did Padar Island during sunset and I'm not going to lie. I shed a little tear. I get a little emotional when it comes to nature, and this was a big one.

Speaker 1:

Also, stargazing. I know this is at night and you won't be able to see the pink, but I just have to mention it because some of the best stars I have ever seen was on the Komodo Islands. I mean, seriously, we laid on that liveaboard and it was funny because I was traveling with this guy who was an astrophysicist and he started crying on this boat and I was like oh my gosh, are you okay? And he said oh my gosh, no, I just like I study stars and everything and I'm really into astronomy and I just never thought that I would see these kind of stars in my lifetime. And then, like, I started crying and you know it was just this whole thing, but no joke, we were literally laying on the top of the liveaboard and I could see the Milky Way from one side all the way to the other and to this day it is probably the best stars that I have ever seen. Close second was in the Sacred Valley in Peru. That was a close second, but these still take the cake.

Speaker 1:

I also got very lucky and saw some bioluminescent activity. Basically, it's like the plankton and you put your hands and it's like all starry in the water. So this became a joke that I saw stars above and below in Komodo, like literally. It was like stars above and I would just splash my hand in the water and it would just light up with oh my gosh, just amazing. Please just go, stop listening to this podcast and just go.

Speaker 1:

But I do have to be realistic, because there are certain expectations versus reality. We've all seen those jaw-dropping Instagram shots. But here's what you should know before you go, because although this place is amazing, it does tend to get a little overhyped. One the pink hue varies. The sand is not hot pink like a neon flamingo Okay, it's a soft pink hue. I think a better word for it they should call it like a blush beach, because it is very it's like a blush and it also changes based off of lighting, tides and also the amount of coral in the sand.

Speaker 1:

Now, midday usually does offer the best visibility, but still it's not a lot. In fact, when we did go to Bermuda the pink sand beach in Bermuda my best friend had never seen a pink beach before and she was like, oh my gosh, I'm so excited to see it. And we literally got there and she was like this looks like a normal beach and I was like, don't worry, that's normal. You really have to go up and you have to pick up the sand and you have to inspect it. Now, on the show notes, I'm going to link one of my social media posts, because I actually picked up some pink sand and with no filter, nothing on it, it was just me touching the sand. I would highly recommend you go look at that, just so you have some realistic expectations of what this pink sand actually looks like, with no filter, nothing.

Speaker 1:

Another thing that you need to keep in mind tourists are a thing. If you are visiting that main pink beach, I would expect other travelers. You could head to the Long Beach on Padar if you did want a more private experience, and people are like, oh my gosh, it's so busy, but, like when I went, it is nowhere near the crowds of a common beach. As I said, I think I saw two other people and that was it. Maybe that was just the time that I was there or I just went during a good time, but it was pretty darn remote. That being said, we already talked about it.

Speaker 1:

Getting there does take effort. There are no roads leading straight to the pink beach. You need to fly to this random island in Indonesia and then you need to take a boat tour just to get there. But again makes it so worth it. Another thing to keep in mind is that Komodo dragons do roam around. As I said, it's called Komodo National Park for a reason, and Komodo dragons are here, yes, even on the beaches. So just always be aware of your surroundings and listen to your guide. Personally, I did not see a Komodo dragon on either pink beach, but it's always worth it to be safe and just keep that in mind.

Speaker 1:

And next, the sand isn't always Instagram perfect. Some parts do have white sand mixed in, so the pinkness isn't always as intense as it looks online. You will most likely need to edit your photos at least just a little bit, just in order to distinguish it from a normal white sand beach. But you do you as far as what you want to edit. I more say this and I'm going to go out on a tangent here because if I see one more over-edited shot of this beach on social media trying to sell it to travelers, I am going to lose my mind.

Speaker 1:

You know what I'm talking about. I don't know if I just got on this thread or something on Facebook or something, but it just shows these things and they're like no, it is real. Look at how pink. It wrong lies, all lies, and I have to like, comment and be like guys, it's so beautiful, don't over edit it to look like Barbie dreamland and it's. It's perfect Just as it is. But and when I say a little bit of editing is fine you bring out those pink tones, it's fine, but these, these photos literally make, literally make it look like the pinkest thing you have ever like. It's like neon Barbie pink and I'm like okay, it's not like that. And it's fine if it's like on your own Instagram, but if you're using it to try to like, get people to come here, they're just going to be disappointed. You got to have realistic expectations and that's okay. So, with that being said, you are most likely going to be taking pictures.

Speaker 1:

If you go to my blog, I also write a lot on photography and travel and adventure photography, so I'm a huge nerd about this kind of stuff. So let's just go over some photography techniques and editing tips. So, number one shoot in the right light. Again, it's best in some soft natural light, maybe midday. If you are going to go for that golden hour, you can try to use a polarizing filter. This might reduce some of the glare on the water and also enhance the color contrast. However, I would do it with and without, just in case.

Speaker 1:

Also, play from angles Shoot with a low angle to make the pink sand pop against that turquoise sea. And also drone shots. I have seen some magical drone shots of this pink beach. If you have a drone, use it. The aerial shots showcase the gradient between the sand and the water beautifully, but be warned, you do need a permit for this. You have to pay a fee. There are some no-fly zones, so if you do have a drone, make sure that you are using it legally. So for editing, as I said, you do you, you are the artist, it doesn't matter.

Speaker 1:

However, you might need to boost the reds and the pinks. Personally, I use Lightroom, so what I would do is I would go and I would increase the red and magenta tones to just like slightly bring out that pink sand. However, I run into issues with this because my skin tone is very white and pink. I have a lot of pink undertones, so if I bring up those pink undertones, I look sunburned like a lobster. So if you are going to do that, you might need to play around a little bit and like deselect the subject if you know what I mean and like bring down the saturation on the subject, or else you're going to look sunburned as hell. Also, you might want to adjust the temperature. A slightly warmer tone might enhance the beach. Natural colors. You can also increase the contrast and the clarity. This will help define the texture of the sand and the ocean waves. And again, just don't overdo it. You want the beach to look natural Again, not like Barbie's dream house. A slight enhancement is fine, but unless you're going for some stylistic look, maybe avoid cranking up the saturation too much. You do. You, you're the artist. I personally, I like to see the pink, so I do crank up the red and the magenta tones. However, I still want it to look nice.

Speaker 1:

Now some final tips for visiting the pink sand beach in Komodo. Number one just leave no trace. Pack out all the trash. Avoid stepping on the coral. Just leave it so that it's beautiful for future generations to come. Respect the wildlife.

Speaker 1:

Komodo dragons may look slow, but they're not Always. Go with a ranger and it might help to talk to the ranger beforehand, just so you know some safety tips. Like, again, I'm not a ranger, so don't listen to me, but the ranger told me, like they can't climb trees unless they're young. So they were like, if one starts chasing you, just climb a tree. This will not be good for you if you're on the main pink beach, because I did not see any trees, but you know, it's just good to have in the back of your mind. They also side tangent. They also told me that they like eat their babies and that's why, like, the young can climb the trees, but like, then they lose that ability and then, but yeah, like, most of their youth and their adolescent life is just running from their parents who are trying to eat them. It's just nuts that these, these things have not gone extinct.

Speaker 1:

Komodo dragons fascinate me. This is, they are nuts. And also, again, we kind of talked about it but bring some reef-safe sunscreen, protect your skin and the ocean simultaneously. And I would also recommend maybe bringing some water shoes. The coral fragments there were some. I didn't notice it a ton. However, there were some coral fragments that might be sharp. So if your feet are sensitive, maybe consider bringing some water shoes.

Speaker 1:

And just to wrap up, komodo's pink beaches are truly one of the most magical places on earth. Oh, it was just like the turquoise water contrasting with like the pinkish hues of the sand, and there's just no cars, no roads, no, nothing, no people trying to sell you anything. Oh, it was just beautiful, and I really hope that this guide has you dreaming of your next bucket list adventure. So, whether you're just lounging and relaxing on the pink shore or snorkeling with manta rays or hiking for epic views, this destination will leave you speechless, and it's honestly one of the coolest adventure destinations that I have been to in my travels. So if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to this podcast on the platform of your choice. Leave a review it means so much to this mermaid and follow me on social media for more adventure inspiration. Until next time, keep exploring, keep ticking off that bucket list and, as always, adventure on.