There are moments that become the best memories of a trip. Such was my arrival at Pink Sands Beach, when I confirmed that pink sand beaches are neither a myth nor an editing trick. I approached the shore, took off my glasses, and grabbed a handful of sand to confirm that, among the golden grains, some pink ones stood out. In that instant, I felt like someone discovering a treasure. I looked up and understood everything: I was in a paradise of turquoise waters, gentle waves, and clear skies.
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The phenomenon has a microscopic explanation. Foraminifera, marine organisms that inhabit corals, possess reddish-toned shells. When waves fragment them, these remains mix with white sand, creating a fine texture and a color that ranges from pale pink to more intense shades depending on the daylight.
Pink sand beaches exist in different parts of the world, but some of the most iconic are found in the Bahamas, especially on Harbour Island and Eleuthera, two of the islands that make up this Atlantic archipelago. With more than 700 islands and nearly 2,400 cays —although tourism is concentrated in 16 main destinations—, the Bahamas are a Caribbean Eden that stands out for having one of the most crystalline oceans on the planet and an underwater world rich in coral reefs.
The objective of my trip was to visit this pair of islands, barely separated by a narrow 3.5-kilometer channel. To get there, I flew to Nassau, the capital and main gateway to the country. From there, I took a domestic flight to North Eleuthera airport, which receives travelers almost at runway level, with luggage delivered outdoors. An austere scene that, ironically, is part of its charm: the immediate feeling of having arrived at an uncrowded destination.
Harbour Island, the pink sand island
Just five minutes from North Eleuthera airport is Three Island Dock, a small terminal from which boats (water taxis) depart continuously for Harbour Island, charging about 10 dollars per passenger. In just seven minutes, you reach the island, where transportation is limited to golf carts, which set the leisurely pace of the place. To get around, one option is to rent these small vehicles at Major’s Golf Cart Rentals, with rates starting from 50 dollars a day for two people.
Understanding this destination begins with its geography. Located off the northern tip of Eleuthera, on the eastern edge of the Bahamian archipelago, it sits right where the Atlantic meets the Caribbean. This privileged position defines everything: shallow turquoise waters that merge with the oceanic depths, an almost unreal transparency, and constant breezes.
Harbour Island’s calling card is its narrow streets, flanked by pastel-colored houses, well-kept gardens, and white fences covered in bougainvillea. It didn’t take me long to decipher it: it’s an intimate island, where luxury is experienced without ostentation and the natural environment remains impeccable, a combination difficult to find in larger destinations.
My first stop was a local restaurant, Hario’s Seafood, where I tried a traditional dish that I loved: grits with tuna salad. It’s a porridge of ground corn cooked with water or milk, accompanied by tuna prepared with mayonnaise, onion, and peppers. The saltiness of the tuna is balanced by the creamy neutrality of the grits, creating an addictive flavor.
A postcard beach
After breakfast came one of the most anticipated moments of the trip: visiting the famous Pink Sands Beach, which is often listed among the most beautiful beaches in the world. This stretch of pink sand extends for several kilometers, and its open coast, without cliffs or interruptions, allows for an unobstructed landscape.
Upon arriving at the beach, the excitement was immediate. The scenery is hypnotic: waters of exceptional clarity and a palette of blues ranging from turquoise to deep sapphire. In the afternoon, the light accentuates the pink hues of the sand, and the landscape becomes even more immersive.
As the hours pass, the waves form sandbanks offshore that one can walk on. In many areas, the water barely reaches below the knees, allowing one to advance several meters before the depth invites swimming again.
To access the beach, there are public paths from Dunmore Town, as well as access through hotels that rent sun loungers. It’s worth remembering: the beach is public and accessible to everyone.
Where to stay?
In my case, I entered through Pink Sands Resort to spend a whole day, relax on their sun loungers, and eat at their restaurant. This luxury boutique hotel is distinguished by its elegant island architecture. It consists of cottages and villas distributed among tropical vegetation. During the tour of its facilities, I entered the Ocean View Villa, a three-bedroom residence with a full kitchen, living room, garden, outdoor shower, and private pool. Staying in a villa at this hotel can cost from 1,375 dollars per night (about 1,160 euros).
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The experience on this island goes beyond contemplation. The clarity of its waters allows for exploring a marine environment through activities such as snorkeling and reef diving, sport fishing, boat trips between islets, or kayak and paddle tours through mangroves. For those seeking more adrenaline, there are options like water skiing. It’s even possible to design custom excursions with concierge services like those of Conch & Coconut.
Eleuthera, the island of pineapples
After exploring Harbour Island, I crossed back by boat to Eleuthera. The journey, lasting just a few minutes, also marks a change of pace: leaving behind the intimacy of the neighboring island to enter a wider territory, a thin strip of land over 160 kilometers long that stretches from north to south and requires traveling by car.
Eleuthera is known as the “island of pineapples,” a title that is no coincidence. Since the 18th century, its cultivation has found ideal conditions here: a reddish clay soil and a climate that gives rise to one of the sweetest pineapple varieties in the world, the sugar loaf. More than an agricultural product, this fruit has become a symbol of identity, hospitality, and local pride. Every June, the island celebrates the Pineapple Festival, a feast that brings the community together around its harvest with food, music, and traditions.
What to see in Eleuthera
In Eleuthera, there are also pink sand beaches, although here the color manifests more subtly, visible only under certain light conditions. A good example is French Leave Beach, in the central area of the island, near Governor’s Harbour. This extensive and almost always empty beach is on the Atlantic side and is distinguished by its fine sand with subtle pink hues.
One of the most iconic spots on the island is the Glass Window Bridge, a narrow passage where the Atlantic and the Caribbean meet face to face. It is one of the few places in the world where two such distinct seas can be observed side by side: on one side, the deep, agitated blue of the Atlantic; on the other, the calm, turquoise waters of the Caribbean, separated by a mere strip of rock about 30 feet wide.
Nearby are the Queen’s Baths, natural pools sculpted by sea erosion. When the tide rises, waves fill them, creating formations of crystal-clear water among golden rock. The place is spectacular, though it requires caution when the surf is strong.
In Eleuthera, there isn’t a mandatory list of activities. You can snorkel, swim in its natural pools, kayak through mangroves, and explore caves and remote beaches.
Where to stay?
For accommodation, a good option is La Bougainvillea, a boutique hotel that combines suites and private beachfront villas. Some rooms offer direct access to the infinity pool overlooking the beach, while the more spacious villas feature bedrooms, a private pool, and a terrace. The stay is complemented by activities such as kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling, or fishing trips. Room rates start from 357 dollars per night (about 300 euros, at the current exchange rate).
One of the most memorable moments I experienced was on the pink sand beach that this hotel has access to. After swimming in the sea, a rainbow surprised me. The afternoon became a contemplative, glorious, and very special moment.
Another accommodation option is The Retreat, a vintage bungalow-style resort. This hotel is part of a project promoted by the One Eleuthera Foundation, an organization focused on the sustainable development of the island, which gives it a distinct approach: here, accommodation is also linked to the community and receives international volunteers. Its rooms, with capacity for four people, have an approximate rate of 350 dollars for two nights.
After several days of calm, I understood that there are places that exceed all expectations. A deep connection with nature and landscapes that surprise with their uniqueness: that’s what I took away from The Bahamas.
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