Dreaming of your next getaway? These bubblegum pink lakes are as surreal as they are Insta-worthy.
6 Naturally Beautiful Pink Lakes from Around the World
Laguna Colorada
Location:Â Bolivia
Surrounded by an incredible backdrop of the rolling Andes Mountain range and rocky shorelines, Laguna Colorada is a sight to behold. Practically skimming the Chilean border, this 23-square-mile beautiful pink lake has a maximum depth of nearly 5 feet. Its shallow waters make for the perfect hangout spot for the endangered James’ flamingo. The best part? It’s easily accessible and is surrounded by several small villages where travelers can stay overnight.
Hutt Lagoon
Location:Â Australia
Located in the Western Australian fishing village of Port Gregory, this 27-square-mile lake actually changes color. While it’s predominantly pink, the color transforms to shades of red and purple depending on the time of day, season and weather—although it’s said to be most beautiful at sunset and midmorning. For a bird’s-eye view of the stunning sight, book a helicopter tour.
Las Salinas de Torrevieja
Location: Spain
If you’ve ever wanted a free spa trip, consider it done. Las Salinas de Torrevieja in Valencia, Spain, is 3,459 acres of pure relaxation, thanks to the salt in this beautiful pink lake. In the 13th century, a canal was built connecting the lake to the ocean to collect the ocean’s salt—and it certainly worked. In fact, there’s so much salt in Las Salinas de Torrevieja that mountains of it occupy its shore.
While the lake might be an ideal place to pamper your skin and body, you probably won’t be alone. Don’t be surprised if you see thousands of flamingos and other aquatic birds if you visit during the breeding season.
Lake Retba
Location: Senegal
With salinity similar to that of the Dead Sea, it’s not surprising that Lake Retba in Senegal is a very popular site for both locals and tourists. Not only is this 1-square-mile pink lake absolutely stunning, but it’s also used for salt production. It’s not unusual to see collectors scooping up salt from the bottom of the lake and the overwhelming salt mountains surrounding the water.
If you’re stopping by for the scenery, visit during the dry season, between November and June, when its pink hue is most vivid. During this time, Lake Retba is even saltier than the Dead Sea.
Sivash Salt Lagoons
Location:Â Ukraine
Situated in the Crimean Peninsula between the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, the pink Sivash Salt Lagoons contain an impressive 220 million U.S. tons of salt. Despite how shallow their waters are (about 0.2 to 0.4 inches), the lagoons remain an essential part of the Crimean Peninsula’s economy, as its salt is harvested and traded internationally.
Lake Natron
Location: Tanzania
Located in northern Tanzania and bordering Kenya, Lake Natron sits below an active volcano in the Rift Valley. Despite its hot temperatures (as high as 140 degrees Fahrenheit), the gorgeous pink lake remains home to millions of Lesser flamingos. But since the alkaline water has a pH as high as 10.5, the lake is uninhabitable and, as Live Science puts it, “so caustic it can burn the skin and eyes of animals that aren’t adapted to it.”
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Sources:
- ABC News: “WA’s Lake Hillier loses iconic pink colour, but there is strong hope for its recovery”
- How Stuff Works: “Australia Has More Than One Pink Lake (Many More!)”
- NASA Earth Observatory: “Laguna Colorada”
- Tourism Western Australia: “The amazing pink lakes of Western Australia”
- Tourism Australia: “Australia’s pink lakes”
- UNESCO World Heritage Convention: “The Pink Lake”
- NASA MODIS: “Sea of Azov and Syvash Lake”
- NASA Earth Observatory: “Lake Natron, Tanzania”
- Live Science: “Lake That Turns Animals to Stone? Not Quite”
